Chicago-Style Hot Dogs

Learn the secrets to an authentic Chicago-Style Hot Dog. From the neon-green relish and sport peppers to the celery salt and poppy seed bun, every detail is specific, prescribed, and intentional.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 386kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

4 beef hot dogs (see note 1)
4 poppy seed hot dog buns (see note 2)
Yellow mustard
Sweet pickle relish (see note 3)
1 small white onion small diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 tomato halved and thickly sliced lengthwise
4 dill pickle spears
Sport peppers or Pepperoncini, if desired (see note 4)
Celery salt to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Add 1/2 inch of water to a skillet. Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add hot dogs, cover, and steam for 2 minutes. Turn hot dogs, cover, and steam until thoroughly cooked, about 2 minutes more. Remove hot dogs from skillet and set aside.
Place a steamer basket into the skillet with the still-hot water. Place buns on top, cover and steam 20 to 30 seconds until warm.
To assemble, place a hot dog in each bun and top with mustard, relish, and onion. On one side of each hot dog, place tomato slices, on the other side place a pickle spear. Top with Sport peppers and sprinkle with a dash of celery salt.

Notes

Beef hot dogs: Vienna is the traditionally used hot dog brand, but if unavailable you can substitute with other brands with natural casings, such as Sahlen's, Wegman's, or Hebrew National.
Poppy seed buns:To steam microwave the buns, add water to a small bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Wrap buns individually in damp towels. Microwave until warm, about 30 seconds. If poppy seed buns are unavailable in your area, you can make them yourself. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Brush hot dog buns generously with melted butter and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake until poppy seeds have set on buns, about 1 to 2 minutes.
Sweet relish: Traditionally this is a bright neon green Chicago-style relish. To substitute, add a couple drops of green dye to your sweet pickle relish.
Sport peppers: A type of chili similar to Tabasco chilies, these light green pickled chilies are a classic spicy topping for Chicago-style hot Dogs. Vienna brand is available on Amazon, or substitute Pepperoncini, if desired.
Yield: This recipe makes 4 Chicago-Style Hot Dogs.
Storage: Store leftovers covered in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition