Boiling hot dogs is an easy and quick way to have a delicious dinner. All it takes is a pot of water and a pack of hot dogs. You can add flavor by seasoning the water, or sautéing a boiled hot dog. Finish the process by placing the boiled hot dog on the inside of the bun and adding your favorite flavor enhancer.
- Preparation time for boiling on the stove: 4 minutes
- Cooking time: 6 minutes
- Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- Hot dog
- Water
- Hot dog buns
- Flavoring ingredients, such as chili, cheese, onions, mustard, tomato sauce, and sweet pickles.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Boiling Hot Dogs on the Stove
Step 1. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan
Use a pot large enough to hold all the hot dogs you want to boil. Leave a few inches at the top of the pot so the water doesn't overflow when you add the hot dogs.
Step 2. Put the hot dogs in the pot
Carefully add the hot dogs one by one to the pot. Don't put it in all at once because the hot water can splash your body.
Step 3. Boil the hot dogs for 6 minutes
Hot dogs are actually cooked before they are sold, but you can get the most delicious taste by heating them. You only need to boil it for 6 minutes to make it hot, and this time doesn't make the hot dog crack in the middle either. Do not let the hot dog split because it can make the taste drastically reduced.
- To boil a large batch of hot dogs, you may need to increase the time for another 1 or 2 minutes. Check one of the hot dogs to see if it's cooked before you remove the whole thing from the water.
- It may take you less than 6 minutes to boil just 1 or 2 hot dogs. Check one of the hot dogs within 5 minutes to see if it's hot enough to your liking. If not, return the hot dog to the water.
Step 4. Remove the hot dogs from the hot water, then drain
You can remove them one at a time using tongs, while shaking off any sticky water. Alternatively, pour the entire contents of the pot into a colander to allow the water to drain and the hot dogs to remain in the colander.
- If you want to leave the hot dogs to eat for a while later, leave the hot dogs in the pot of warm water. Turn off the stove and cover the pot. The hot dog will stay hot when you are ready to eat it.
- If you are cooking hot dogs for a large number of people and want to keep the hot dogs warm, keep the stove on very low heat until all the hot dogs are used up.
Method 2 of 3: Boiling Hot Dogs in the Microwave
Step 1. Place half full of water in a microwave-safe bowl
Use a bowl large enough to hold all the hot dogs you want to boil. You can also use microwave-safe plastic bowls and cups.
Step 2. Use a knife to slice the hot dog
This is to prevent the hot dogs from popping in the microwave. Make long cuts on the skin of the hot dog you want to boil.
Step 3. Cook the hot dog on high heat for 75 seconds
Check the hot dog 75 seconds later by slicing off the end of the hot dog to see if you need to boil it longer. Check if the part is hot. If you need a longer time, reheat the hot dog for 30 seconds until the whole hot dog is hot.
- To see if you need to increase the cooking time, you can also look at the texture of the hot dog. The hot dog is ready to serve when the skin has shriveled and the color has turned dark.
- To cook a lot of hot dogs, you'll need an extra minute or two to get them really hot.
- Remember, microwave-cooked hot dogs are not safe to eat if you don't heat them for at least 75 seconds.
Step 4. Drain the hot dogs
Remove the hot dogs from the hot water with a fork, then drain them on paper towels before serving.
Method 3 of 3: Adding Flavor
Step 1. Season the water before you use it to boil the hot dogs
Boiled hot dogs as-is already have a great taste, but you can enhance the taste by adding seasonings. Try adding tsp. salt to give hot dogs a salty taste. You can also add one or more of the following spices before turning on the stove:
- tsp. garlic powder
- tsp. Italian seasoning
- tsp. chili powder
Step 2. Add beer to the water
Beer will give a delicious sausage taste to hot dogs. This added flavor is perfect for when you're cooking up a bunch of hot dogs that you want to enjoy while watching a sporting event, or to serve to adults who love the smell of beer. Add one pint of beer to the pot to replace 1 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook the hot dog as usual.
- You can also experiment by trying different types of beer. For example, a pale beer will taste different from a dark beer.
- This method is perfect for any type of hot dog, although it tastes better if you use a beef hot dog.
Step 3. Add the garlic to the water
Add 1 or 2 cloves of garlic when the water has come to a boil to give the hot dogs an earthy taste. You don't need to peel it, just put a clove or two of unpeeled garlic in the water.
Step 4. Saute hot dogs after boiling
For a crunchy hot dog, immediately stir-fry the freshly boiled hot dog. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little olive oil. Cut the hot dog into long strips using a knife. When the oil is hot, stir-fry the split hot dogs until they are crispy and browned.
Step 5. Garnish the hot dog with your favorite flavor enhancer
Whatever method you use to cook hot dogs, you can get the best flavor by adding a few ingredients after boiling them. Place hot dogs on buns and add any toppings you like. Some of the toppings that can be used include:
- Chilli
- Grated cheese
- Tomato and mustard sauce
- Chopped onions (stir-fried or raw)
- Stir-fried Mushrooms
- Sweet pickles
Tips
- To prevent the buns from getting wet, dry the hot dogs with paper towels before placing them in the buns.
- Remember, the roasting method (either with a baking sheet or direct heat) can bring out the true flavor of a hot dog. However, this depends on your taste.
- Try boiling hot dogs in water that has been added with garlic, herbs, or beer. After that, let the hot dog cool before you use it as an ingredient in corn dogs.
Warning
- Do not remove hot dogs from boiling water using inappropriate equipment. Hot water splashed by hot dogs falling back into the pot can cause burns. Use tongs with a firm grip.
- Don't put too much water in the pot as it may overflow when it boils.
