Frankly, we crave hot dogs. They’re hot-diggity delicious! Plus, July is National Hot Dog Month, y’all! So, we felt it imperative to dig into one of summertime’s most perfect mouth morsels. Copious napkins required.

Aardvark + Hot Dogs = True Love

If we’re honest, we’re in love-sweet-love with hot dogs. Totally lip-licking, cheap, and as complicated or not as you wanna make ‘em. We’ve got a whole mess o’ recipes and grilling tips—plus, hot dog lore and celebrity gossip—that will turn your everyday dog into a certified banger.

Even Martha Stewart Gets the Glizzy Cravings

You know what they say — behind every fancy lifestyle mogul is a girl who grew up sneaking hot dogs with mustard and kraut. Yep, Martha Stewart is a dog lover. The grill-it-up, load-it-with-onions kind. She’s doled out tons of wiener wisdom over the years, including last year’s, “15 Delicious Ways to Top a Hot Dog.”

And she’s not alone. Michelin-starred chefs like Daniel Boulud and David Chang have rolled gourmet hot dogs into their menus (the latter hits his up with kimchi and other amazing Korean toppings!). Rachael Ray shared multiple “hot dog hacks” on her show, including chili cheese dog casseroles and buffalo-style hot dogs. Anthony Bourdain was obsessed with NYC hot dog spot Gray’s Papaya (also a haunt of Martha’s) and called it one of the best cheap eats on earth.

So, if you’ve ever felt judged for loving a late-night street dog or sneaking one at a backyard BBQ, never back down: you’re in league with kitchen royalty, player.

Not Just Any Dog Will Do Ya

There’s a time and place for the mystery-meat discount pack. But when it comes to hot dogs that slap for that special occasion, upgrading the quality yields drool-inspiring flavor. Your best bet? Support your local butcher to find dogs with natural casing. That “snap” when you bite into a hot dog? That’s the stuff! Plump and juicy! All that said, let’s say you want to keep it budget-friendly. Never fear! All hot dogs are a little chomp of heaven. Follow the recipes and tips below for optimal results.

Recipe Time:

Meet Secret Aardvark’s BuffaDog

Featuring Our New BuffaDill Green Buffalo Hot Sauce

In pondering perfect hot dog condiments, one thing is clear: a pickle juice- and umami-infused green Buffalo sauce couldn’t find a better home. Our BuffaDill has a briny hit that melds like magic with the tang of green cayenne peppers and so many other scrumptious (and healthy) ingredients. Check out the recipe below, which includes a creamy, spicy condiment hack, plus links to some important life lessons about cooking hot dogs.

Regional Weenies Starring Secret Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce

Our fan-favorite Habanero Hot Sauce honors the sacred structure of these classic regional dogs … and then kicks them in the mouth! Because sometimes you just gotta bring some heat. Let’s hit the road!

Habanero Seattle Dog

This isn’t your ballpark dog. The Seattle-style hot dog comes at you sideways—with cream cheese slathered on the bun like it got lost on the way to brunch. But somehow? It works. Like, really works. It’s weird, it’s messy, and it’s exactly the kind of dog that begs for a squirt of Secret Aardvark Hab Sauce to take the flavor chaos up to eleven.

Chicago-Style Habanero Hot Dog

This isn’t just a hot dog. This is a fully loaded, Windy City legend wearing all its toppings like a badge of honor: yellow mustard, green relish, onions, pickled peppers, pickle spear, tomatoes, and a dash of celery salt. Then, we give you full permission to tweak this sacred classic with a beautiful stab of Habanero Hot Sauce. But if you even think about adding ketchup, they will escort you out of Illinois.

Chilean Completos Hot Dog

Folks in Chile decided that slathering their dog in mayonnaise is the way. More like burying their dog in it. One completos sports a quarter to a half cup of mayo per 8-inch bun (though we do prefer to do it to taste). This, plus heaps of avocado mash and other ingredients, makes it an unforgettable nom…especially with Hab Sauce in the mix to bring some fire.

Lots More Bomb Hot Dog Recipes from Aardvark!

Speaking of sacred scrolls, here’s our treasure trove of hot dog recipes, carefully crafted over centuries. Or something.

Reaper Inferno Dog recipe from Secret Aardvark....featuring Aardvark Reaper Smoked Hot Sauce 

Did we mention we’re committed? And if you’re a hot sauce hoarder with dogs in the fridge and big dreams, build your own creative hot dog monstrosity. We fully support that energy.

Hot dog cooking tips: for when you want your banger to be, well…a banger! 

How to Grill Hot Dogs Like a Star

Step 1: Preheat your grill
You want a medium heat zone. Preheat for at least 10 minutes so the grates are hot and ready.

Step 2: Know your dog
Natural casing (skin-on)? Be gentle. They’ll split if you push ’em too hard. Skinless dogs? Slash ‘em with shallow cuts. It helps them cook evenly and look way cooler.

Step 3: Oil the grates (lightly)
A quick rub keeps the dogs from sticking and makes you feel like a pro.

Set 3.5: Hot dogs are so popular right now that even Serious Eats laid down its guide to “Stop Ruining Hot Dogs.”

Step 4: Grill with love
Place your dogs over indirect or medium heat and rotate frequently. You want even browning and that signature snap, not burst casing sadness.

Cook time: 5–7 minutes (or less if you’ve poached and are just charring your skin-on pups). Poaching is like a hot tub party for your dogs—simmer them in hot water (not boiling!) until they’re warmed through. That way, they hit the grill pre-cooked and primed for maximum char, not a burst-casing disaster.

Step 5: Optional Aardvark Magic
Right before pulling them off the grill, give the dogs a light brush of Aardvark Habanero Sauce. Let it caramelize for a few seconds. Boom—spicy glaze action.

How to Boil a Hot Dog

Step 1: Choose your weapon
Grab a pot—medium-sized, deep enough to submerge your dogs without causing a wiener tidal wave.

Step 2: Fill ‘er up
Add enough water to cover the dogs fully. Then? Salt the water just a bit. You salt pasta water, right? Same idea. Your dog deserves flavor.

Step 3: Bring to a simmer
Not a rolling boil. A gentle simmer helps the dogs heat up evenly without exploding into sad, split tubes.

Step 4: Drop in the dogs
Gently place your hot dogs in the hot tub. No cannonballs. Simmer for 5–7 minutes or until they’re heated through and puffed up.

Aardvark Upgrade
Toss in a little beer, a few onion slices, and definitely a dash of hot sauce to infuse the water with bonus flavor and kick.

Step 5: Retrieve and serve
Use tongs to pull ‘em out, let excess water drip, then slide ‘em into your bun of choice. Add your toppings, drizzle with Aardvark, and proceed to devour like the spicy glizzy beast you are.

How to Steam a Hot Dog 

Step 1: Place a steamer basket over a pot with about an inch of simmering water (make sure the water doesn’t touch the dogs). Cover and steam the hot dogs for 5–7 minutes, until heated through.

No steamer basket? No problem. Just add a splash of water to a pan, toss in the hot dogs, cover with a lid, and let them steam over medium heat for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally.

Bonus Knowledge: Microwave Hack
Wrap the hot dogs in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 30–40 seconds. Instant steam, no fancy gear needed.

The Ketchup Conundrum: A Condiment Controversy

So, where’s the love? What did ketchup ever do to hot dogs? Among purists and old-school hot dog vendors, ketchup has long been considered a childish choice. The logic goes something like this: ketchup is too sweet, too one-dimensional, and too overpowering. It’s the condiment equivalent of blasting pop music over your friend’s curated classical playlist.

But let’s be honest: If you like ketchup, putting it on a hot dog is AWESOME! It’s tangy, it’s sweet, it’s nostalgic. It extra hits the spot when paired with something spicy or smoky. Ketchup cuts through the salt and fat like a bright, zippy high note. Just don’t forget the hot sauce if you want a little flame with your frankfurter.

Final Bite

We don’t care if you like ‘em loaded with kimchi and beer cheese or just naked on a paper plate. Hot dogs are messy, joyful, deeply unserious little meat tubes—and that’s why we can’t get enough.

So, this summer, grab a bun, pick your dog, and don’t forget the sauce. Stay spicy, squad!

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