Ground Beef Chili Dogs with Onions
Dig into these Ground Beef Chili Dogs with Onions—loaded, messy, and absolutely delicious! Juicy hot dogs are topped with hearty, seasoned ground beef chili and finished with flavorful onions for the ultimate comfort food experience. This easy recipe is perfect for quick dinners, game day snacks, or casual family meals. Packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, these homemade chili dogs come together fast and satisfy every craving. Serve with fries, chips, or a side salad for a complete meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- For the Ground Beef Chili:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño or green chili, minced (optional for heat)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- ½ cup beef broth or water
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp salt (to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional, balances acidity)
- For the Onions:
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp butter or oil
- Pinch of salt
- For Assembly:
- 6 hot dog buns
- 6 hot dogs (beef, chicken, or your choice)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or American cheese (optional)
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Chili: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add onion and sauté until softened. Add garlic and jalapeño, cook for 1 minute. Stir in ground beef and cook until browned. Mix in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and broth. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning with sugar if needed.
- Step 2: Cook the Onions: In another skillet, heat butter. Add sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook on medium-low heat until caramelized and golden (about 15 minutes).
- Step 3: Cook the Hot Dogs: Boil, grill, or pan-fry hot dogs until heated through and slightly charred.
- Step 4: Assemble the Chili Dogs: Warm buns in the oven or skillet. Place a hot dog inside each bun. Spoon beef chili generously over the hot dog. Top with caramelized onions. Sprinkle cheese if desired and garnish with fresh herbs.