Coney Island Hot Dogs (2024)

People may disagree on what makes an authentic Coney Island Hot Dog, but you will agree that this Coney Island Hot Dog Recipe is delicious! Perfectly spiced and full of flavor, this is one hot dog recipe you’ll want to keep on file!

Top it with chili! Try some other chili topped recipes, like these Chili Dog Nachos or this Cincinnati Chili Recipe.

If you’ve been following Taste and Tell for awhile, you know that I kinda love hot dogs. In fact, I have posted full weeks filled with hot dog recipes. Well, it’s been way too long since I’ve even talked about a hot dog, so I decided to repost this Coney Island Hot Dog Recipe.

Would you believe I made this Coney Island Hot Dog Recipe 4 times to get it how I wanted it? Let’s just say my family has had their fill of coney dogs for the next little while. (Me, on the other hand? I don’t think I could ever get sick of them!!)

What is a Coney Island Hot Dog?

I have read article after article online about traditional coney dogs, and I am convinced that no one will ever agree on what a “true” coney island hot dog recipe is. And that’s ok by me. I’ve never been to Coney Island, and I’ve never had an authentic coney island hot dog. And I find it funny that it doesn’t seem like they even originated on Coney Island – but from Greek and Macedonian immigrants in Michigan.

One thing that everyone will agree on, though, is something that sets this hot dog apart from a chili dog – the sauce is an all meat sauce. No beans.

I do love a good chili dog (with beans!) but you won’t find that same sauce on a coney dog.

Another thing that distinguishes a coney dog is serving it topped with onions and mustard.

Ingredients

• Ground Beef: If you use a fattier ground beef, make sure to drain off the fat. I usually like to use a 90% lean ground beef.
• Onion: Diced yellow or white onion will work.
• Spices: The spice mixture is super important! You’ll use a mixture of chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and celery salt.
• Tomato Sauce: You’ll want a plain tomato sauce, not a marinara or ketchup.
• Mustard: You’ll need yellow mustard for the sauce, and it will also be used as a topping.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This will bring in some great depth of flavor.
• Hot Dogs, Buns, and Toppings: I like to use a good all beef hot dog, and soft buns. For toppings, you’ll just need mustard and onions. I also do like to add a little bit of grated cheese.

How to Make the Coney Sauce

PHOTO 1: Start by browning the ground beef and onion. Add the spices.

PHOTO 2: Once the spices are added, stir everything together. You then want to cook it for about 3 minutes, to make sure the spices get nice and toasted.

PHOTO 3: Add in the tomato sauce, water, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.

PHOTO 4: Stir this all together, bringing it to a boil. The turn the heat down and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the flavors are nice and combined.

Tips and Tricks

If your sauce gets too thick while it is simmering, you can add more water to loosen it up.

Instead of boiling the hot dogs, try using Air Fryer Hot Dogs instead!

This sauce can easily be frozen, and then thawed and reheated later.

Serving Suggestions

• Potato Chips
• Potato Salad
• Fresh veggies and dip
• Corn on the Cob
• Sweet Potato Tots
• Pasta Salad

More Hot Dog Recipes:

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