I’ve been making this quick chili for over a decade, and it’s hands-down the easiest way to turn boring hot dogs into something everyone actually gets excited about. You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry right now, and it’s ready in just 30 minutes. The best part? This makes a big batch, so you can freeze half for later.
I tend to double this batch, portion it out into quarters, and freeze. My future self is always happy to use it later.
Table of Contents
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
You can leave out or use less of the cayenne pepper if you don’t like spice. For the best chili, use quality ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio. You can also use ground turkey or chicken, though you might need to season it more.
This makes enough for 8 servings and freezes great. So double or triple the recipe by making adjustments in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup water
- 5 ounces of tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste for heat levels
- salt and pepper to taste
INstructions
Step One: Cook The Beef
Heat your large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook it, breaking it up as you go, until it’s completely browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Step Two: Add Everything Else
Add the water, tomato sauce, ketchup, and all the spices to the pan. Stir it all together until it’s well mixed.
Step Three: Simmer It
Turn the heat to low and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Stir it every few minutes so it doesn’t stick. Taste it and adjust the seasoning – add more salt, pepper, or cayenne if you want.
Step Four: Serve It Up
Spoon it over your hot dogs with whatever toppings you like – onions, mustard, cheese, whatever.
Storage Instructions
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can make a big batch and freeze it for 3 months. Or make it a few days ahead of time and use it for a chili cookoff!
Reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat. If it’s frozen, thaw it in the fridge first overnight.
What to Serve on the side
There are lots of easy sides to go with this.
- This Southern coleslaw is quick to make and goes with everything.
- Deep fried French fries can be prepped early in the day and fried right before serving.
- Cast iron skillet baked beans are better than just opening a can.
- Make my BEST potato salad recipe (with a secret ingredient).
- No chili is complete without a side of cornbread.
Questions and Troubleshooting
It has a mild kick, but you can adjust the heat by adding more or less cayenne pepper. If you’re not a fan of spice, start with a smaller amount and taste as you go.
Classic toppings include chopped onions, shredded cheese, and yellow mustard. You can also add jalapeños, relish, or even a dollop of sour cream for extra flavor.
More Chili Recipes
- Make your chili and cornbread all in one with this chili cornbread casserole!
- This classic Terlingua chili is one of my favorites.
- White chicken chili is still one of my most popular recipes.
- Chili hash brown casserole is easy on the budget, and everyone loves it.
Printable Recipe
Hot Dog Chili
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup water
- 5 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 ½ teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste for heat levels
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook meat. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and brown the ground beef until it's cooked through and no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan if necessary.
- Add liquids and seasonings. Add the water, tomato sauce, ketchup, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
- Simmer. Mix well to incorporate all the spices. Let the mixture simmer over low heat for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste to adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve. Serve the hot dog chili with your favorite hot dogs and toppings such as chopped onions, yellow mustard, and shredded cheese.
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Notes
Nutrition
Love,
