Can we be frank? There's a whole hot dog world outside your front door: savory dogs, sweet dogs, fiercely unique and regional dogs, and of course, classic hot dogs. Dress it up, dress it down, or go for something uniquely original to you. Try any of these hot dog toppings, and you'll feel like you're in hot dog heaven.
Traditional Hot Dog Toppings
Live the traditional hot dog life with these toppings. These are also a great start for when you're not sure what to set out beside the grill.
- Ketchup
- Mustard, yellow or Dijon
- Relish, sweet or dill
- Onions, raw or cooked
- Sauerkraut
- Tomato slices
- Queso
- Chili, with or without beans
- Sautéed peppers and onions
- Chili con carne
- Dijon mustard
Hot Dog Toppings That Are Less Common
You may not see these hot dog toppings as often, but no one will think twice if they see your dog piled high with these.
- Pickles, sliced or spears
- Lettuce
- Mayonnaise
- Cheese such as cheddar, American, or Swiss
- Pickled red onions
- Pico de gallo
- Pickled peppers
- Caramelized onions
- Scallions
- Fried onions
- Bell peppers
- Coleslaw
- Pickled onions
United States Regional Hot Dog Toppings
No need to take off your shoes at the airport to relish just how great these regional American hot dog styles are. You will need to put your shoes on to head to the store to grab the necessary ingredients, though.
- Chicago: Yellow mustard, onions, relish, tomato slices, pickle spear, peppers, celery salt
- New York: Spicy brown mustard or deli mustard with saurkraut and onions
- Arizona Sonoran Hot Dog: Bacon-wrapped dog with pinto beans, diced tomatoes, tomatillo salsa, mayo, mustard, cheese, and grilled onions and peppers.
- Fenway Frank: Boiled then grilled hot dog with onions, mustard, relish, and piccalilli
- Texas Dog: Chili, jalapeños, and cheese
- Michigan Coney Dog: Meat chili, raw onions, and yellow mustard
- New Jersey Dog: Sometimes known as the Italian Dog, it has onions, peppers, and brown mustard with diced home fries potatoes
- Kansas City Dog: Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing
- L.A. Dog: Bacon-wrapped hot dog with onions, spicy peppers, bell peppers, mustard, mayo, and ketchup
- Philadelphia Dog: Ketchup, mayo, mustard, white onion, relish, and sauerkraut
- Cincinnati Coney: Cinncinati-style chili and shredded yellow cheddar cheese
- Seattle Dog: Cream cheese and sauteed onions
- Rochester Hot Dog: White-hot grilled with ketchup, mustard, meat hot sauce, and sauteed onions
Spicy Hot Dog Toppings
So you like things with a bit of a spicy kick? Then these are surefire ways to add some heat to your hot dog.
- Jalapeño peppers, sliced or pickled
- Hot sauce
- Horseradish
- Sriracha
- Tabasco sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
- Wasabi mayo
- Chipotle mayo
- Meat hot sauce
- Buffalo sauce
- Mango habanero sauce
- Curry ketchup
- Horseradish sauce
- Sriracha mayo
Savory Hot Dog Toppings
If you're on the hunt for a dog that has a mellow, tangy, yet ambrosial effect on the taste buds, look no further than these savory suggestions.
- Honey mustard
- Cream cheese
- Tartar sauce
- Bacon bits
- Blue cheese crumbles
- Fried pickles
- Fried green tomatoes
- Gherkin relish
- Pesto
- Roasted red peppers
- Kimchi
- Avocado
- Feta cheese crumbles
- Smoked gouda cheese
- Guacamole
- Roasted garlic cloves
Sweet Hot Dog Toppings
If you like to live life on the sweet side or you're looking to balance the smoky flavors of your dog, we promise you'll be relishing these sweet flavors.
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Mango slices
- Grilled pineapple
- Teriyaki sauce
- Pineapple salsa
- Mango chutney
- Peanut sauce
- Caramelized apples
- Goat cheese crumbles
- Coleslaw
- Sweet peppers
Salad Dressing and Sauces for Hot Dog Toppings
Grab those bottles and jars, things are about to get saucy for your hot dog.
- Barbecue sauce
- Worcestershire sauce
- Balsamic glaze
- Ranch dressing
- Greek tzatziki sauce
- Lemon aioli
- Enchilada sauce
- Chimichurri
- Pesto
- Marinara
- Hollandaise
- Garlic aioli
- Hummus
- Cocktail sauce
- Romesco sauce
- Beer cheese
- Sweet pepper jelly
Hot Dog Toppings That Are Outside the Box
These are the hot dog toppings for those who like to live big, dream big, and be the first one to try that new food at a local restaurant. You can try them first and wait for everyone else to ketchup. Dream big, hot dog champ.
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Crushed potato chips
- Crushed pretzels
- Crushed Fritos
- Sliced cucumbers
- French fries
- Fried egg
- Black beans
- Sliced avocado
- Cucumber slices
- Salsa
- Corn salsa
- Mexican street corn (elote)
- Black olives
- Pulled pork
- Fresh basil, parsley, or thyme
- Jardiniere
- Gremolata
10 Hot Dog Topping Combos to Get You Started (You're Welcome!)
Get ready to let the dogs out. You can mix and match any of these amazing toppings to your heart's content, or you can try some of our topping combo inspo.
- Mexican street corn, crumbled Fritos, and guacamole
- Beer cheese and crushed pretzels
- Pulled pork, pickled onions, coleslaw, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce
- Garlic aioli and gremolata
- Hummus, chopped cucumbers, and tzatziki sauce
- Kimchi, lemon aioli, and fried onions
- Pineapple salsa, crushed tortilla chips, queso, and black beans
- Cream cheese, chopped jalapeños, and hot pepper jelly
- Jardinere and a drizzle of Dijon mustard
- Fried egg, sliced avocado, and chimichurri sauce
Mix and Match Toppings for Hot Dogs You'll Relish
Stick with your usual toppings (mustard, relish, and onions, please!) or give your dog some crunch and sizzle (fried tomatoes and hot sauce, thanks!), there's so much more to the frank than those grill marks.
