There isn't much that's better on a summer day than a big ol' Chili Dog! They scream Americana, and they are just so dang delicious. Now whether you agree that they should be topped with mustard, onions, jalapenos, cheese or all of the above, one thing is for sure, my Chili Dog Chili MUST be on top!
So I have kind of taken a simple and basic lunch to a bit of an extreme with this one. As I was making it I thought, I sure know how to make something simple a good bit EXTRA! ?But who would I be if I didn't go the extra mile?
It really isn't that hard in the end, but I just kept coming out of the fridge with one ingredient after the other. But, that is what makes it a KendellKreation, I use what I have and make something delish! So feel free to edit the toppings to what you have or like, but be sure you make the chili, it can even be made a day ahead of time.
Because we all know chili is always better a day or two after making!
Creating a GREAT chili
At its heart chili is a stew, so that means the longer you can let it hang out and let the flavors develop, THE BETTER. While it may be ready to eat, and you certainly can eat it, within an hour or so, if you let it simmer as long as you can bare, it will be that much better. This allows all of the herbs and spices that you have seasoned it with to fully bloom and deepen the flavor.
This is the reason why it always tastes even BETTER the next day.
Next, you want to be sure to keep the heat high enough to reduce the liquid but not burn the bottom. I simmer it just one dot above low on the oven knob, just keep an eye on it. For chili dogs, you just want to be sure to get a nice thick chili so it doesn't make you bun soggy and it doesn't run down your arm.
This recipe is a bit of a large batch, that is because I usually make it so we can eat a bowl with cornbread as it cooks and uses the leftovers for chili dogs. Feel free to cut it in half if you just want Chili Dog Chili.
Now I realize, living in Texas, that if you are from here you will say that this is not chili because it has beans in it. But that is ok, just call it a beef and bean stew and be on your way! It is delicious and that is all that matters.
Topping your DOGS!
Another topic up for discussion is what you should top chili dogs with? My addition of yellow mustard seems to be a bit controversial. People either love it or hate it.
I think that it has a lot to do with where you're from or where you were raised. It is one of those things that has to be ingrained into you from childhood. I have to say, I am not much of a yellow mustard fan in general, but I LOVED a light spray on these dogs!
I also believe that a chili dog MUST have onions and cheese on top. I topped mine with white cheddar because I had it one hand, and like I said, ingredients just kept flying out of the fridge, so feel free to make your own adaptations from here.
I would love to know what you think is an essential chili dog topping, let me know in a comment at the bottom of this page 🙂
Chili Dog Chili
Make this big batch of chili and eat some for dinner on night one, then use the leftovers to make these AMAZING chili dogs!
Ingredients
- 1 yellow Onion, diced
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 lb Ground Beef
- 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 2 teaspoons Chili Lime Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Sweet Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Roasted Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Cumin, ground
- 2, 14 oz cans Southwestern Style Pinto Beans
- 1, 14 oz can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis
- 1, 28 oz can Diced Tomatoes
- 8 ¼ pound plus Hot Dogs, from Costco
- 8 Large Hot Dog Rolls or Hoagie Rolls
- Chopped Onions
- Bacon Bits
- Jalapeños, diced
- Yellow Mustard
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed stockpot or cast iron dutch oven heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable in the bottom and add the onion.
- Cook until the onion becomes translucent. Add the garlic and ground beef and cook over medium-high heat until the ground beef has completely browned. Sprinkle the flour over the beef and stir to incorporate. You can skip this step if you are gluten-free, just drain off the excess fat.
- Season the beef mixture with the chili lime, chili powder, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cumin.
- Add the beans, and tomatoes to the pot and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Let the mixture simmer for 2.5-3 hours to thicken and marry all the flavors together.
- Serve the chili over hot dogs and top with cheese, onions, jalapeños, bacon and mustard, all optional of course but highly encouraged!
Notes
The chili will be ready after about 45min to an hour of simmering. You can make this a two for one meal and serve half of this chili on its own with cornbread, sour cream, cheese, and oyster crackers as toppers. If you just want enough for “Chili Dogs” cut the recipe in half.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
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