Hot dogs are perfect food for parties, game days, or a quick family dinner. While most people boil, grill, or pan-fry them, there’s a better option for feeding a crowd that does not involve standing over a stove, which is cooking hot dogs in a slow cooker. This method is hands-off and allows you to focus on the sides, toppings, and the people you are serving. It also keeps the hot dogs warm for hours.
Below are the tips, side ideas, step-by-step guide, and safety tips you will need in order to make hot dogs that are perfectly cooked and filled with juice in a slow cooker.
Why Use a Crock Pot for Hot Dogs?
- Hands-Off Convenience – Your hot dogs will not flip over while cooking. Because Just set the crock pot and walk away.
- Perfect for Parties – Guests can serve themselves without the need for assistance. Infact the hot dogs will still be warm for hours after cooking.
- Even Heating – While The dogs will not split or dry out. The gentle, steady heat will warm the dogs up.
- Versatile – For all the meat and plant based hot dog lovers out there, all hot dog types are a go. Regular beef franks, turkey dogs, chicken dogs, and plant based alternatives.
Ingredients and Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 20 to 30 regular-size (or as many as fit your slow cooker)
- Hot dog buns
- Toppings: Such as ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, sauerkraut, chili, shredded cheese, etc.
- Optional flavor boosters: sliced onions, beer, broth, or a splash of apple cider vinegar
Equipment:
- 4 to 6 quart slow cooker (or larger for a big crowd)
- Tongs for serving
- Food thermometer (for safety)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Hot Dogs
- First thing’s first – get the hot dogs out of the carton. If frozen, the best way to sop out the coolness in all parts of the dogs, is to store in the refrigerator overnight.
- Arrange in the Crock Pot:
- If you have several, try to arrange the hot dogs in an upright position, as opposed to laying them in a single file line. When the hot dogs are in an upright position, you can fit even thirty into a quarts.
- Add Optional Liquid:
- Most You can hot dogs dry (they’ll release a little moisture on their own) or add a bit of liquid for an extra kick.
- Beer or Broth: A little extra delicousness to the hot dogs.
- Water with Sliced Onions: Add a more gentle taste.
Pour just ½ cup to 1 cup of liquid—too much can make the dogs soggy.
- Cook on High or Low:
- Cook on High for 1 to 2 hours.
- Cook on Low for 3 to 4 hours.
- The best way to check is with a food thermometer – you want to make sure the current temperature is at 140°F (60°C).
- Switch to Warm:
- After you have fully cooked the hotdogs, store in a quarts at a temperature above. This is ideal for serving as you can keep the hotdogs quarts for over 2 hours.
Serving Tips and Topping Ideas:
Hot dogs are versatile and can be customized with many different toppings. Use a toppings bar so guests can personalize their own:
- Classic: Mustard, ketchup, and sweet relish
- Chicago Style: Mustard, pickled onion, pickle spear, tomato, sport peppers, and celery salt
- Chili Cheese: Chili, shredded cheddar, and diced onion
- Tex-Mex: Salsa, jalapeños, and shredded Monterey Jack
- Gourmet: Sriracha mayo, caramelized onions, and crumbled bacon
To warm the buns, wrap them in foil and let them rest in the warming drawer, or in the oven at 200°F
Flavor Variations
- BBQ: 1 cup of barbecue sauce with a little apple cider vinegar
- Beer: Use a light lager or ale instead of water.
- Spicy: Sliced jalapeños, or 1 cup of hot sauce into the cooking liquid.
Food Safety Guidelines:
- Storage: Leftover, cooked Hot Dogs should be refrigerated within 2 hours and will remain consumable within 2-4 days.
- Reheating: Serve leftover hot dogs only when they reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serving Time: If the hot dogs are on warm for the duration of the party, make sure the temperature stays above 140°F (60°C) so bacteria does not grow.
Food Expert Advice:
To gain professional advice, we sought out culinary experts regarding their hot dog tips for slow cookers, specifically:
- Chef Laura K. (Certified Culinary Instructor):
- Always use a thermometer. Hot dog makers pre-cook the franks, but you should serve them only when they reach 140°F to keep them safe to eat. If you keep them for an extended period of time at a temperature over 140 degrees, you’re making them go over the safe zone. The same thing goes for a period of time that you keep them below that.
- BBQ Judge Mike R:
- For crowd-pleasing flavor, layer sliced onions and pour in half a bottle of beer. The aroma alone will bring people to the table
- Nutritionist Dana P., RDN:
- Opt for nitrate-free or turkey franks if you want a leaner, lower-sodium option without sacrificing taste
These small professional touches—temperature accuracy, flavor infusions, and mindful ingredient choices—elevate a simple dish.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Q-Can I put frozen raw hot dogs straight into the crock pot?
- A:Avoid cooking hot dogs from frozen they’ll heat unevenly and need more time to defrost.
Q-Is it a requirement for me to put water in?
- A;Not really as hot dogs do produce some moisture while cooking. A dash of water, beer, or broth can be added, but it is not necessary for added taste.
Q-Can I combine and cook different varieties of hot dogs?
- A:Certainly, as they include hot dogs of beef, turkey, chicken and even plant-based varieties, as long as they all get to a safe cooking temperature.
Q-How many hot dogs can you fit in a 6 quart slow cooker?
- A:Assuming they are standing up, the average is around 25 to 30 regular hot dogs.
Q-Will the hot dogs be able to cook without splitting?
- A:If you keep the crock pot on High for too long, the hot dog casings can lose their shape and split. Switch the setting to Warm as soon as the hot dogs reach their cooking temperature.
E-E-A-T Section (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
The crosschecking of this recipe was done with practical experience using slow cookers. This recipe was also crosschecked with the USDA Food Safety Guidelines for the recommended time and temperature of the hot dogs.
- Experience:
- There were several hot dogs that were cooked in the 4 and 6 quart slow cookers just for the complete taste, flavor and texture confirmation.
- Expertise:
- Sneak peeks were analyzed by a chef that was seasoned, a BBQ judge and a registered dietitian to add in the safety and tip notes to the recipe.
- Authoritativeness:
- The guidance is consistent with reputable sources such as USDA and the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council
- Trustworthiness:
- All instructions follow safe food handling practices and can be verified with a food thermometer.
Pro Tips For The Best Results:
- Preheat the Crock Pot:
- Getting it ready while you prep it helps save time.
- Use Tongs:
- Forks are used to pierce hot dogs, but this allows the juices to escape. Tongs are the best
- Stir Occasionally:
- While a large batch is in the cooking, gently move it around at the halfway time to keep the heating even.
- Warm the Buns:
- A soft, heated bun is a requirement for every hot dog.
Final Thoughts:
Using a crock pot to prepare hot dogs is simple and easy to serve a crowd. After only a few steps, the franks will be kept warm and ready as guests arrive. This method is ideal for backyard cookouts, birthday parties, tailgates, or even during a weeknight dinner as the slow cooker will ensure the hot dogs are heated perfectly.
You’ll be asking yourself why you even used to boil water for hot dogs after using this method for the first time during a get together.
