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Authentic Midwestern Hot Dog Chili Hot Dog Sauce Recipe

Taste the tradition! This Authentic Midwestern Hot Dog Chili Sauce recipe, passed down through generations, delivers the ultimate topping for your favorite hot dogs. Made with simple ingredients and simmered to perfection, this rich and flavorful chili freezes beautifully for future use. Skip the store-bought stuff and make your own – you won't regret it! Perfect for game day, family gatherings, or a simple weeknight meal.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 185 mins
Calories 89.5 kcal
Protein 21g
Rating 4.3 (3 Reviews)
Authentic Midwestern Hot Dog Chili Hot Dog Sauce 49

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Authentic Midwestern Hot Dog Chili Hot Dog Sauce

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How to Make Authentic Midwestern Hot Dog Chili Hot Dog Sauce

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine 1 lb ground beef with 4 cups cold water. Break up the beef with a spoon or spatula until it is finely separated.
  2. Add 1 large onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional), 2 bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir well to combine.
  3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low, uncover, and simmer for at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  4. During the last hour of simmering, cover the pot if you prefer a thicker chili. If not, continue to simmer uncovered.
  5. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed (salt, pepper, chili powder).
  6. If using fatty ground beef, allow the chili to cool completely and refrigerate overnight. The fat will rise to the top and can be easily skimmed off before reheating.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

10 g

Sugar

8g

Fat

7g

Carbs

1g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Soups, Stews & Chilis Main Courses Lunch Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes The Americas American Summer Recipes Fall Recipes Game Day Recipes One Pot Meals

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American For Large Groups Sauces Condiments Etc Beef American Easy Beginner Cook Dinner Party Kid Friendly Dietary Low Calorie Oamc Freezer Make Ahead Low Carb Midwestern Inexpensive Savory Sauces Ground Beef Toddler Friendly Low In Something Meat Novelty Taste Mood Number Of Servings 4 Hours Or Less