New York Hot Dogs

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/22/23
Tested by
Noah Velush-Rogers
Noah Velush-Rogers
Tested by Noah Velush-Rogers
Noah Velush-Rogers works on food prep for several area caterers. He has worked with a team of prep chefs for a private school group. He was an assistant cooking teacher for children and teen group cooking classes. Noah was hired as an intern and was then trained as a recipe tester for Fine Cooking Magazine. 
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
New York hot dogs

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 8 hot dogs

These hot dogs are the classic snack that are available from street carts all across New York City. But you don’t have to travel to the Big Apple to enjoy this delicious dish—they’re easy to make at home and require no fancy techniques or equipment.

All-beef hot dogs are nestled into a soft hot dog bun, topped with a homemade onion relish, sauerkraut, and brown mustard. The hot dogs are boiled just like they are on the street cart, but you can also grill them or cook them on a skillet.

We included a recipe for a flavorful onion sauce, the secret ingredient to making a truly authentic New York hot dog. It’s a unique sweet and sour onion relish and it makes the iconic street-cart dog something special. Serve these dogs at your next cookout, game day feast, or weeknight dinner.

“A sloppy dog is a classic for a reason, good relishes like this really lend well to the pork flavor. If you want to overload it with a bit more flavor and crunch, make some bacon and add it along side of the dog.” —Noah Velush-Rogers

New York Hot Dogs/Tester Image
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Ingredients

For the Onion Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 2 medium onions, thinly sliced

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1/4 cup ketchup

  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Hot Dogs:

  • 8 large beef hot dogs

  • Spicy brown mustard, for garnish

  • 8 hot dog buns

  • 1 cup sauerkraut, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make New York hot dogs

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Add the oil and onions to a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. 

    A small pan of onions

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Add the honey, chili powder, and cinnamon. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 more minute.

    A pan of onions with honey, chili powder, and cinnamon

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Add the water, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook until the sauce is bubbly and thick, 10 to 15 minutes.

    A pan of cooked onion sauce

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Let the onions cool in a covered container while you make the hot dogs. 

    A small container of onion sauce

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Bring 8 cups of water to a boil on high heat in a large pot. Add the hot dogs and continue to boil until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. 

    Hot dogs cooking in a pot of boiling water

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Add mustard to each bun. Top with the hot dog, followed by the onion sauce and sauerkraut, if using. Serve immediately with your favorite chips or sides. 

    A platter of New York hot dogs topped with onion sauce, sauerkraut, and mustard

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Tip

  • You can easily make the onion sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a week in an airtight container. Heat it up or use it straight from the fridge.

Recipe Variation

  • The New York hot dog is traditionally an all-beef hot dog to keep the recipe Kosher, but you can replace them with the hot dog or sausage of your choice. Be sure to check the package directions for cooking instructions if the sausages you buy are raw.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
411 Calories
22g Fat
41g Carbs
13g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 411
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 1155mg 50%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 6mg 30%
Calcium 129mg 10%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 340mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)