Description
When it comes to iconic American comfort foods, few dishes are as legendary as the Coney Island hot dog—a grilled hot dog smothered in a rich, flavorful meat sauce and typically finished with onions and mustard. This Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce recipe brings that delicious street food experience right to your kitchen with ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Perfect for backyard cookouts, tailgate parties, or weeknight dinners, this sauce is a must-have recipe for every hot dog lover. It’s rich, savory, mildly spiced, and ridiculously easy to make in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the ground beef. Break it up with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks to create a fine, even texture. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan with the beef. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
Stir in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, and cumin. Mix well to fully combine all the ingredients and coat the meat evenly.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken to the perfect consistency.
Spoon the hot dog sauce generously over grilled hot dogs nestled in soft buns. Top with diced onions, yellow mustard, or shredded cheese for the classic Coney Island experience.
Notes
For the authentic Coney texture, ensure the ground beef is broken down into very small pieces. You can even pulse it briefly in a food processor after browning (before adding the sauce) for ultra-fine consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes