Hot dogs are delicious. Hot dogs wrapped in bacon? Even better. Top them with sautéed onions and peppers, add your favorite condiments, serve in a crispy grilled bun, and you’ve got a summer classic.
The first time I had these was at a crowded stadium after a late concert. Instead of being frustrated by the slow exit, everyone around us was happily lined up at small grill carts selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs piled with toppings. They were unforgettable, so I vowed to recreate them at home. This version delivers: smoky, crispy bacon wrapped around the dog, a little heat from jalapeño, and sweet-savoury sautéed onions and peppers.
Pro tip before you grill: clean your grill. Grease and flare-ups from a neglected grate can make the bacon ignite. That said, a little charring can add great flavor—just watch them closely and turn often.
Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 6 hot dogs*
- 6 slices bacon
- Toothpicks
- 6 buns
- Butter or mayonnaise, for grilling the buns
- Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc.
For the onion topping:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 onion, sliced
- 1 green pepper, sliced into bite-size strips
- 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced (discard the membrane if you want less heat)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat your grill to low heat.
- Wrap one slice of bacon around each hot dog. Secure the ends with 2 toothpicks per dog, pushing them in far enough so they won’t burn easily.
- Grill the hot dogs over low heat, turning every couple of minutes so the bacon cooks evenly. This takes about 8–10 minutes depending on how crispy you prefer the bacon.
- When the dogs are nearly done, spread the bun interiors with butter or mayonnaise and grill cut-side-down for 1–3 minutes until grill marks appear.
- While the dogs grill, make the topping: heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion, green pepper, and jalapeño and sauté for 6–8 minutes, or until softened to your liking. Season with salt and pepper.
- Top each bacon-wrapped hot dog with the onion and pepper mixture and add your choice of ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or other condiments.
Notes
*The hot dogs in the photos are large Costco-style dogs, so one slice of bacon wraps around a regular hot dog perfectly.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 hot dog | Calories: 367 kcal | Carbohydrates: 44 g | Protein: 15 g | Fat: 15 g
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