Southern Style Hot Dog Chili

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This Southern Style Hot Dog Chili is a thick, flavorful homemade chili made specifically for topping hot dogs. Finely crumbled ground beef, onions, tomato paste, and savory seasonings come together in one pot for a classic diner-style chili that's perfect for cookouts, game day, and weeknight dinners.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Homemade Mixes, Sauces & Condiments, Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings: servings

Author: Jamie Sherman

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup beer
1 cup water
1 cup onion finely chopped
¼ cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large saucepan, combine the ground beef, beer, and water.
1 pound lean ground beef, 1 cup beer, 1 cup water
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, continuously breaking the beef into very fine crumbles as it cooks.
Reduce the heat to low.
Stir in the onion, tomato paste, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
1 cup onion, ¼ cup tomato paste, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon cider vinegar, salt and pepper
Simmer until the chili has thickened, stirring more frequently as it cooks down.
Remove from the heat and spoon generously over cooked hot dogs.
Serve immediately.

Notes

🥡 Storage

Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

♨️ Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
You can also microwave individual portions in 30-second intervals until heated through.
Add a splash of water if the chili becomes too thick.

❄️ Freezing

Freeze in airtight freezer containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

💡 Tips for Best Results

Break the beef into the smallest crumbles possible while it cooks.
Finely chop the onions so they almost disappear into the chili.
Simmer uncovered until the chili reaches a thick, spoonable consistency.
Stir often during the final few minutes to prevent sticking.
Make it a day ahead for even better flavor.

🍳 Alternate Cooking Methods

No alternate cooking methods are recommended. The stovetop method provides the best texture and consistency for authentic hot dog chili.

♻️ Leftovers

Use leftover chili on hamburgers, chili cheese fries, baked potatoes, nachos, tater tots, or as a topping for scrambled eggs and omelets.

📝 Notes

This recipe is intended as a hot dog topping rather than a traditional bowl of chili.
The beer flavor mellows significantly during cooking while adding richness.
If you prefer a smoother consistency, continue breaking up the meat throughout the cooking process.

Nutrition