🌭 Slow Cooker Classic Chili Dog Sauce
This hearty, flavorful chili dog sauce is the ultimate way to elevate your next cookout! It’s rich, meaty, and made effortlessly in the slow cooker, making it a perfect choice for topping hot dogs, fries, baked potatoes, and more.
Forget the old Chili Cheese Dog Dip—this robust, slow-simmered chili sauce is the new go-to for game day, backyard BBQs, and family get-togethers. Loaded with bold flavors and easy to prepare, it brings that savory punch every great hot dog needs.
Whether you’re jazzing up your burgers or loading up your baked potatoes, this sauce is sure to be a hit on your picnic table.
Ingredients
- Olive oil – or any cooking oil you have available
- Diced onions – white or yellow work great
- Garlic cloves – freshly minced for best flavor
- Ground beef – lean (90/10 or 93/7) preferred, but 80/20 is also fine
- Water – to help cook and break up the beef
- Tomato paste – brings rich tomato depth and thickens the sauce
- Ketchup – adds tangy sweetness
- Beef broth or stock – deepens the meaty base
- Condiments – yellow mustard, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce
- Seasonings – chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar
- Optional toppings – shredded cheese, extra diced onion, jalapeños, etc.
Instructions
- Sauté the Aromatics
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and diced onions. Cook until softened, then stir in the minced garlic. - Brown the Beef
Add ground beef and a splash of water. Cook while breaking it apart with a spoon until browned and crumbly. Drain excess fat or liquid. - Transfer to Slow Cooker
Move the cooked beef mixture to your slow cooker. Add tomato paste, ketchup, beef broth, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and all seasonings (chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and sugar). Mix until well blended. - Cook Low and Slow
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours, stirring occasionally. The flavors will meld, and the sauce will thicken to a perfect hot dog topping consistency.
Tips for Best Results
- Choose lean ground beef to avoid greasy chili; otherwise, drain thoroughly after browning.
- Want leftovers? Double the batch and freeze half for later use.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or BBQ sauce for a smoky-sweet spin.
- Ground turkey or chicken can be used as a lighter alternative—just boost the seasonings to compensate for the milder flavor.
Serve It Right: Build a Hot Dog Bar!
Make it fun by creating a chili dog station. Offer a variety of buns, sausage types, and a spread of toppings like:
- Relish
- Classic condiments (mustard, ketchup)
- Shredded cheeses or Cheez-Whiz
- Diced red onions, jalapeños, banana peppers
- Bacon crumbles, onion straws, crushed potato chips
- Guacamole and more
Let everyone build their perfect chili dog creation!
