Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions Recipe

The Ultimate Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce Recipe

Crafting the perfect cheesy hot dogs with pickle mustard sauce requires more than just ingredients, it’s a culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Comfort food enthusiasts will adore this playful twist on a classic street snack.

Crispy onions add a delightful crunch that elevates every single bite.

Tangy pickle mustard sauce brings unexpected zesty notes to the table.

Simple yet sophisticated, this recipe combines bold flavors that surprise and delight.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these hot dogs promise to become your new favorite indulgence.

FAQs About Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

  • What makes the pickle mustard sauce unique?

The sauce combines tangy Dijon mustard, pickle juice, and chopped dill pickles for a zesty, complex flavor that elevates the traditional hot dog condiment.

  • Can I make the crispy onions ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the crispy onions in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 hours to maintain their crunchiness.

  • What type of cheese works best for these hot dogs?

Cheddar cheese is recommended for its sharp flavor and excellent melting properties, but you can also use monterey jack or pepper jack for a different taste profile.

Reasons to Love Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

  • Elevate Classic Comfort: Transform ordinary hot dogs into a gourmet experience with melted cheese, tangy sauce, and crunchy onion topping that takes flavor to the next level.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for casual gatherings, game days, or spontaneous family meals where everyone craves something deliciously satisfying and easy to prepare.
  • Customize with Creativity: Easily adjust ingredients to match personal preferences, swap cheese types, experiment with sauce variations, or modify crispy onion seasoning for a unique twist.
  • No-Stress Cooking: Requires minimal cooking skills with straightforward techniques that guarantee tasty results, making it ideal for home cooks of all experience levels.

Ingredients for Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

Hot Dog Components:
  • Hot Dog Sausages: Juicy protein base for the classic comfort food.
  • Hot Dog Buns: Soft bread vessel to hold the delicious toppings.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Sharp and melty cheese that adds rich flavor to the hot dogs.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Dijon Mustard, Mayonnaise, Pickle Juice, Honey: Combination creates a tangy and creamy pickle mustard sauce.
  • Dill Pickles: Adds crunchy texture and sharp pickled flavor to the sauce.
  • Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the sauce.
Crispy Topping Ingredients:
  • Sliced Onions: Main ingredient for creating crunchy topping.
  • Buttermilk: Helps create a crispy coating for the onions.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides a crisp and golden exterior when frying onions.
  • Vegetable Oil: Used for frying onions to achieve a crispy texture.
  • Salt: Adds final seasoning to the crispy onion topping.

How to Prepare Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

Step 1: Grill Hot Dogs to Perfection

Fire up your grill or skillet over medium heat. Lightly brush hot dogs with oil to prevent sticking. Cook the hot dogs, rotating occasionally, until they develop a beautiful golden-brown char and are heated through. During the final moments of cooking, blanket the hot dogs with a generous layer of shredded cheddar cheese. Cover briefly to allow the cheese to melt and become gloriously gooey.

Step 2: Whip Up Zesty Pickle Mustard Sauce

Grab a mixing bowl and combine these ingredients:
  • Dijon mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Pickle juice
  • Finely chopped dill pickles
  • Honey
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Whisk everything together until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings to create a perfectly balanced condiment that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 3: Create Crunchy Onion Topping

Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat to medium-high. Prepare two separate bowls:
  • One with buttermilk
  • Another with flour seasoned with salt and pepper

Dunk sliced onions first in buttermilk, then coat thoroughly in seasoned flour. Fry onion rings in small batches until they transform into golden, crispy delights. Remove and drain on paper towels, sprinkling with additional salt for extra flavor.

Step 4: Construct Your Flavor Explosion

Nestle the cheese-covered hot dogs into soft buns. Generously drizzle the tangy pickle mustard sauce over the dogs. Crown your creation with a mountain of crispy onion rings. Get ready to experience a flavor adventure that will revolutionize your hot dog game.

Helpful Tips for Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

  • Elevate hot dogs by using fresh, high-quality sausages for the best flavor and texture.
  • Control grill heat carefully to prevent burning while achieving perfect char marks on hot dogs.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or smoked gouda for unique flavor profiles.
  • Create crispy onions by ensuring oil is hot enough before frying and draining excess oil on paper towels to maintain crunchiness.
  • Balance pickle mustard sauce by adjusting honey and pickle juice ratios to suit personal taste preferences.

Flavorful Variations for Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

  • Bacon Wrapped Cheese Dogs: Wrap hot dogs with bacon before grilling, creating a crispy, savory exterior that complements the melted cheese.
  • Mediterranean Style: Replace pickle mustard sauce with tzatziki, sprinkle feta cheese, and add chopped olives for a Greek-inspired version.
  • Spicy Southwest: Use pepper jack cheese, add jalapeños, substitute sauce with chipotle mayo, and top with crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch.
  • Korean BBQ Fusion: Glaze hot dogs with gochujang sauce, sprinkle green onions, add kimchi crispy onions, and drizzle with sesame mayo for an exciting international flavor profile.

Pairing Suggestions for Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

  • Elevate Hot Dog Experience: Match zesty, creamy flavors with complementary beverages and sides.
  • Craft Perfect Beer Pairing: Select crisp lager or hoppy pale ale to cut through rich cheese and tangy pickle sauce, refreshing the palate with each sip.
  • Chill with Cool Side Dish: Serve alongside light coleslaw or cucumber salad to balance the hot dog's robust flavor profile and provide a fresh, crunchy contrast.
  • Complete Flavor Journey: Pour chilled German-style wheat beer or craft pilsner that harmonizes with the dish's bold mustard and pickle notes, creating a satisfying meal experience.

Proper Storage Tips for Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions

  • Store leftover hot dogs, sauce, and crispy onions separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep crispy onions in a separate container to maintain their crunchiness.
  • Warm hot dogs in a skillet over medium heat or microwave for 30-45 seconds until heated through. Avoid overcooking to prevent drying out.
  • Quickly toast crispy onions in a dry skillet or air fryer at 350°F for 1-2 minutes to restore their crunchiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
  • Keep pickle mustard sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Stir well before reusing, as separation may occur during storage.
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Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions Recipe

Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce & Crispy Onions Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty Cheesy Hot Dogs with Pickle Mustard Sauce dazzle hungry crowds with gourmet street fare flair. Crispy onions and tangy sauce elevate classic comfort bites you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 hot dog sausages
  • 4 hot dog buns
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking/Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil

Garnish/Sauce Ingredients:

  • Pickle mustard sauce (to be added)
  • Crispy onions (to be added)

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill or skillet to medium heat, preparing a surface for cooking hot dog sausages with even, golden-brown char marks.
  2. Lightly coat hot dogs with vegetable oil, ensuring complete surface coverage for optimal grilling performance.
  3. Cook hot dogs on hot surface, rotating periodically to achieve uniform heating and attractive caramelization, approximately 5-6 minutes total.
  4. During final cooking moments, generously sprinkle cheddar cheese over hot dogs, allowing cheese to melt completely by covering with lid or foil.
  5. For pickle mustard sauce, combine Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, pickle juice, finely chopped dill pickles, honey, salt, and pepper in mixing bowl.
  6. Whisk sauce ingredients until smooth, tasting and adjusting seasonings for balanced tangy-sweet flavor profile.
  7. Heat vegetable oil in large skillet to medium-high temperature, preparing for onion frying.
  8. Dredge thinly sliced onions first in buttermilk, then coat thoroughly with flour, ensuring complete coverage.
  9. Carefully fry onion slices in small batches, turning once, until achieving deep golden-brown crispiness, approximately 2-3 minutes per batch.
  10. Remove crispy onions using slotted spoon, drain excess oil on paper towels, and sprinkle with salt for enhanced flavor.
  11. Nestle melted cheese-topped hot dogs into soft buns.
  12. Generously drizzle prepared pickle mustard sauce over hot dogs.
  13. Garnish with crispy onions, creating textural contrast and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Cheese Melting Trick: Use low, steady heat and cover the skillet to ensure even, gooey cheese coverage without burning the hot dogs.
  • Pickle Sauce Flavor Boost: Let the sauce sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex taste profile.
  • Crispy Onion Hack: Pat onion slices dry before buttermilk dredging to help flour coating stick better and create extra crunch.
  • Dietary Swap Options: Replace hot dogs with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian version, use gluten-free flour for crispy onions, and opt for low-fat cheese to reduce calories.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 370 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 820 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Olivia Brooks

Olivia Brooks

Contributing Writer

Expertise

  • Healthy recipe development
  • Plant-based cooking
  • Nutritional analysis
  • Food writing and content creation

Education

Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique


Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.

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