The History and Recipe for an Authentic American Hot Dog
An American classic, the hot dog has been a part of American culture and cuisine for over a century. What began as a German tradition of sausage grilling in the late 1800s was ultimately introduced to the United States by German immigrants. Since then, the humble hot dog has become a staple in summer barbecues and meals, with different variations across the United States.
The classic American hot dog is composed of a pork and beef pre-cooked frankfurter sausage, served on a hot dog bun. The frankfurter is usually boiled, grilled, or steamed before being put in the bun, while the bun is generally toasted or heated. To complete the classic flavor, a variety of condiments are added. Common pickle relishes, spicy mustards, sauerkraut, catsup, chopped onions, and chili are most popular. All of these toppings combined, create the classic American hot dog.
Recipe for an American Hot Dog
Ingredients:
- 4 pork and beef frankfurters
- 4 hot dog buns
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Pickle relish
- Chopped onions
- Chili (optional)
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to medium and add frankfurters to the water. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until hot dogs are cooked through.
- Meanwhile, lightly toast or heat the hot dog buns in a preheated oven or skillet.
- Remove hot dogs from pot and place onto toasted buns.
- Top hot dogs with your favorite condiments. We recommend mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, and optional chili.
And that’s it! There you have an authentic American hot dog. Of course, there are many variations of this classic recipe, but the main components are still the same. Whether you’re barbecuing in the summer, or just making a quick snack, the American hot dog is always a crowd-pleaser.
