Learn the Secret Hacks to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

Secret Hacks to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

Summer means It’s backyard barbecue time and prime hot dog grilling season. But before you fire up your grill take a minute to learn the secret to grill the perfect hot dog.

We’ve all thrown the hot dogs on the grill and cooked them until perfectly charred and they look great.  They taste pretty good, but what if I told you, you could make them taste soooo much better.

While I wouldn’t call hot dogs health food, hot dogs are becoming healthier and many have less fat, to fit into our healthier living lifestyle.  That means we need a few new “tricks” to grill the perfect hot dog – juicy on the inside and a charred crisp outside.

Secret Hacks for Grilling the Perfect Hot Dog

1 – Start with Quality Hot Dogs

2 – Cook Hot Dogs that are Room Temperature – Never Grill Frozen Hot Dogs 

3 – Score Hot Dogs Before Grilling

4 – Your Grill Temperature is Too Hot or Not Hot Enough

5 – Simmer the Hot Dogs in Liquid Before Grilling

6 – Move Hot Dogs Frequently While Grilling

7 – Pick the Right Bun for Your Hot Dog Creation and Toast the Bun

LEARN THE SECRETS TO GRILLING THE PERFECT HOT DOG

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Secret Hack to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

#1 – Start with Quality Hot Dogs

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Sure, you can buy whatever’s on sale at the grocery, but you’ll get a better tasting dog by reading the packages and looking for hot dogs with fewer ingredients and few or no chemicals.

• Most Hot Dogs are made with pork and beef, but you’ll get a better result with 100% all beef hot dogs.
• Chicken dogs and turkey dogs are tasty alternatives and make great lower fat options for your cookout.
• Buy organic hot dogs, look for them in your market.  Many contain just a few ingredients and no chemicals.
• Meatless hot dog options are readily available in most groceries.

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Secret Hack to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

#2 – Cook Hot Dogs that are Room Temperature

Never Grill Frozen Hot Dogs 

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Take your hot dogs out of the refrigerator 10 or 15 minutes before grilling to let them reach room temperature.

If your hot dogs are frozen defrost them in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water, making sure they are completely defrosted. Let them sit for a few minutes before grilling.

Letting the hot dogs sit for a couple of minutes will make sure they grill more evenly.

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Secret Hack to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

#3 – Score the Hot Dogs Before Grilling

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Create little slits in the hot dog before you put them on the grill.  This will keep them from curling or bursting and will help keep the inside juicy while the outside gets the perfect char.

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Secret Hack to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

#4 – Your Grill Temperature is Too High or Too Low

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Grilling is a little art and a little science.  You want the grill temperature between 400° to 425°.  If you are cooking on a charcoal grill you want the coals to be hot and be white.

Swab grill grates with a little bit of olive oil before grilling your hot dogs to keep them from sticking to the grates.

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Secret Hack to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

#5 – Give your Dogs a Bath – Simmer Hot Dogs in Liquid Before Grilling

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Simmering hot dogs for 2-3 minutes will help your dogs cook more evenly and stay juicy.

You can add yummy flavor by simmering your hot dogs in beer, wine, bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, etc.

6.

Secret Hack to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

#6 – Move Hot Dogs Frequently While Grilling

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Using tongs make sure you move the hot dogs frequently.  Unlike other meats you grill, hot dogs benefit from being turned and flipped frequently.  This will keep them from burning or bursting.  It will ensure that the hot dogs cook evenly and stay juicy inside while getting a nice char.

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Secret Hack to Grill the Perfect Hot Dog

#7 – Pick the Right Bun for Your Hot Dog Creation and Toast the Bun

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The soft squishy hot dog buns of childhood are awesome and perfect for a simple hot dog with mustard or relish, but if you’ve elevated your hot dog topping game you should also upgrade your bun.

For simple, more traditional topping I like Martin’s® Famous Long Potato Rolls, these are a definite step up from the generic white bread buns.  Lightly toasted on the grill for a couple of second these are perfect for creating hot dog classics.

For your more adventurous hot dog creations consider baguettes, ciabatta, Cuban rolls or anything type of soft bun, roll or bread.