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    Home » Kitchen Laughter Recipes Blog » Side Dish

    Sides for Hot Dogs

    Published: Jan 24, 2023 by Ginny C · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    From a simple snack to an exquisite restaurant-quality meal, hot dogs can be enjoyed in so many ways. Thinking about what to serve as sides for hot dogs? There’s a good deal of yummy sides and toppings you can use.

    nine images of sides that go with hot dogs.
    Never know what to serve with hot dogs? No problem!
    Contents hide
    1 🌭 Simple Hot Dog Toppings
    2 🌽 Best Hot Dog Sides
    3 Conclusion

    Hot dogs are a beloved American dish, and we have plenty of options for turning them into a special treat.

    🌭 Simple Hot Dog Toppings

    Hot dogs served by food trucks come with many interesting and sometimes unexpected toppings.

    For a no-fuss dinner, you’ll probably want to keep things simple.

    Before anything else, a fresh bun and some basic toppings will make your hot dogs highly enjoyable. No need to get fancy.

    Check out these easy hot dog toppings for a quick meal!

    • Ketchup
    • Onions (fresh, onion rings, caramelized)
    • Mustard
    • Cheese
    • Bacon
    • Coleslaw
    • Relish
    • Chili
    • Mayo
    • Sauerkraut
    • Jalapeños
    • Tomatoes
    • Buffalo sauce
    • Pickles
    • BBQ sauce

    🌽 Best Hot Dog Sides

    As long as you have a bit of time on your hands, it’s really worth skipping convenience foods and cooking your own side.

    Homemade sauces and pickles taste like nothing else and you can make them ahead.

    They store well and will make your sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and hot dogs so much better.

    Also, trying some creative sides will bring back the excitement in your kitchen and at the table.

    Here are some of our favorite sides for hot dogs you can easily cook at home. Don’t expect any leftovers from these heavenly meals!

    cubed potatoes roasted with herbs and onion.
    Home Fries via SpendWithPennies

    1. Easy Home Fries

    As tasty as French fries might be, give these home fries a try, and you’ll have a new family favorite.

    Golden potato cubes made quickly on the stovetop? Yes, please!

    The unquestionable versatility of fried potatoes means you can enjoy home fries with various meat based dishes, not just hot dogs.

    creamed corn in a large dish.
    Creamed Corn Au Gratin via ChewOutLoud

    2. Creamed Corn Au Gratin

    That bubbly layer of parmesan cheese brings magic to this dish like you couldn’t imagine!

    Even better, you can make this creamed corn the night before and reheat it in the oven before serving.

    baked beans in a pot.
    Brown Sugar And Bacon Baked Beans via TheChunkyChef

    3. Brown Sugar & Bacon Baked Beans

    Hot dogs and baked beans make an excellent team.

    This recipe needs only 10 minutes of prep and off into the oven it goes!

    Depending on how thick you like your beans, the total cooking time is between 2 and 3 hours.

    pickles with noodles and sauce.
    Dill Pickle Pasta Salad via SpaceshipsAndLaserBeams

    4. Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

    Dill pickles and pasta salads are popular sides. Why not mix them together?

    Pour a mayo, sour cream, and dill pickle juice dressing on top and keep it in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight.

    The result is a refreshing pasta salad that goes amazingly well with hot dogs.

    chili with avocado and onion in a bowl.
    Sunday Chili via PinchOfYum

    5. Sunday Chili

    Chili and a hot dog sound like my kind of cold weather comfort food!

    Instructions are included for making it on the stovetop, in the Instant Pot or in the slow cooker.

    Regardless of the method you choose, it will come out incredibly tasty.

    onion rings with ketchup on the side.
    Beer Battered Onion Rings via SpendWithPennies

    6. Beer Battered Onion Rings

    Beer batter gives these onion rings a crispy coating that’s to die for.

    Having these right out of the fryer is like nothing else!

    Are they heavy on the calories? Fried onion rings are certainly not diet food.

    However, making them at home is healthier than any food you can order or buy in the store.

    radish and cabbage slaw in a white bowl.
    Cabbage, Apple, And Radish Coleslaw via BlackberryBabe

    7. Cabbage, Radish, & Apple Coleslaw

    Pair hot dogs with a lighter side like this refreshing cabbage, radish, & apple coleslaw.

    This will make your meal significantly lower in carbs and also works nicely as a hot dog topping.

    halved baby potatoes with herbs and spices on top.
    Chimichurri Potato Salad via Downshiftology

    8. Chimichurri Potato Salad

    You have to appreciate a good make-ahead recipe like this potato salad.

    Make the chimichurri sauce the day before. The next day, pour it onto the cooked potatoes while they’re still warm and serve.

    This potato salad can also be served chilled, which makes it a wonderful summer dish!

    pickles in jars with spices.
    Easy Overnight Refrigerator Pickles via TheStayAtHomeChef

    9. Easy Overnight Refrigerator Pickles

    It’s so nice to have some homemade pickles in the fridge. With an easy recipe like this one, we all can!

    Making pickles at home is really simple and the best part: after one day, these will be ready to eat in all their crunchy goodness.

    sweet potatoes sliced and put on a sheet pan.
    Grilled Sweet Potato Fries via WellPlated

    10. Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

    As a healthier version of the classic French fries, this sweet potato version has way less fat.

    Grill marks are optional and so is a generous topping of cilantro before serving.

    When it comes to seasoning, you try various combinations of herbs and spices.

    Even if you use just plain salt, grilled sweet potatoes will still be delicious.

    corn sliced and put on a plate with cream and sauce.
    Air Fryer Corn Ribs via RecipesFromAPantry

    11. Air Fryer Corn Ribs

    Corn ribs are an interesting take on Mexican street corn, one that you’ll keep making over and over!

    The Air Fryer will give them the perfect amount of char, but you could also make these fun corn ribs in the oven or on the grill.

    salad in a white bowl with oil in the background and salt.
    Easy Green Salad via GetInspiredEveryday

    12. Easy Green Salad

    Fresh, locally grown ingredients are the key to getting an amazingly flavorful salad.

    The other important thing that will set your salad apart is the dressing. This recipe has a great oil and vinegar dressing recipe that’s super easy to customize.

    You could also play around with the ingredients: use various kinds of greens, use bell peppers instead of tomatoes, or even add some nuts or seeds.

    sweet peppers in a bowl.
    Homemade Sweet Pepper Relish via ChilipepperMadness

    13. Homemade Sweet Pepper Relish

    Relish and hot dogs are a match made in heaven! Making your own relish is totally worth it, since it’s a versatile side that goes well with a large diversity of dishes.

    This particular recipe uses sweet chili peppers, so it’s also kid-friendly.

    If you enjoy a bit of heat, you can always add hot peppers to your homemade relish.

    parsnip fries with herbs and spices on top with ketchup in the background.
    Parsnip Fries via WellPlated

    14. Parsnip Fries

    Parsnip is not exactly a veggie commonly used to make fries, but hey…..it actually works!

    You’ll be surprised how delectable that subtle sweet flavor can be.

    Tossing them with Parmesan cheese will amp up their flavor and I’m sure even the skeptics will enjoy them.

    mixture of tomatoes and avocados in a bowl.
    Avocado Tomato Salad via SavorAndSavvy

    15. Avocado Tomato Salad

    When you want to pair your hot dogs with something light and refreshing that’s also easy to make, give this avocado tomato salad a try.

    It comes together in 10 minutes and with just three ingredients and a simple vinaigrette, it couldn’t get more frugal!

    beet and cabbage kraut in jars.
    Beet And Cabbage Sauerkraut via FeastingAtHome

    16. Beet And Cabbage Sauerkraut

    Fermented cabbage is full of gut-friendly bacteria that can improve digestion and overall health.

    With only 20 minutes of prep, you’ll just need to be patient for 3 to 5 days as the sauerkraut needs this time to ferment.

    Polenta fries on a table with two sauces and basil on the side.
    Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter Polenta Fries via HalfBakedHarvest

    17. Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter Polenta Fries With Lemon Aioli

    Polenta turned into crispy golden fries is simply a brilliant idea!

    They are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, just like you’d expect.

    Tossing them in garlicky herb butter at the end will make them taste even more amazing.

    Conclusion

    Hot dogs make a great treat on their own although adding a side dish can make them more exciting and satisfying. These yummy sides work just as well with the Grilled Kielbasa.

    Even more, the way you cook your hot dogs can add so much flavor!

    We’re really happy how these hot dog burnt ends turned out. This is one excellent way to enjoy burnt ends when you don’t have the time to smoke a brisket.

    Smoked hot dogs are another amazing way to serve them and I guarantee they will be a hit with your guests and family.

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    Sides for Hot DogsSides for Hot Dogs
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