New York Hot Dogs

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/3/21
New York hot dogs

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 25 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Yield: 8 hot dogs
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
411 Calories
22g Fat
41g Carbs
13g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 411
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 31mg 10%
Sodium 1155mg 50%
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 13g
Vitamin C 6mg 30%
Calcium 129mg 10%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 340mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These hot dogs are the classic snack that are available from street carts all across New York City. But you don’t have to travel to the Big Apple to enjoy this delicious dish—they’re easy to make at home and require no fancy techniques or equipment.

All-beef hot dogs are topped with a homemade onion relish, sauerkraut, and brown mustard, then nestled into a soft hot dog bun. The hot dogs are boiled just like they are on the street cart, but you can also grill them or cook them on a skillet.

We included a recipe for a flavorful onion sauce, the secret ingredient to making a truly authentic New York hot dog. It’s a unique sweet and sour onion relish and it makes the iconic street-cart dog something special. Serve these dogs at your next cookout, game day feast, or weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

For the Onion Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  • 2 medium onions, sliced

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1/4 cup ketchup

  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Hot Dogs:

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make New York hot dogs

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Add the oil and onions to a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. 

    A small pan of onions

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Add the honey, chili powder, and cinnamon to the onions. Sauté for another minute or until fragrant. 

    A pan of onions with honey, chili powder, and cinnamon

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Add the water, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Stir and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or until the sauce is bubbly and thickened. 

    A pan of cooked onion sauce

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Allow the onions to cool in a covered container in the refrigerator. 

    A small container of onion sauce

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  6. Add 8 cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil and then add the hot dogs. Cook until the hot dogs are cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes. 

    Hot dogs cooking in a pot of boiling water

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  7. Add mustard to each bun. Then top with the hot dog, followed by the onion sauce and sauerkraut, if using. Serve immediately with your favorite chips or sides. 

    A platter of New York hot dogs topped with onion sauce, sauerkraut, and mustard

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Tip

  • You can easily make the onion sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a week in an airtight container. Heat it up or use it straight from the fridge.

Recipe Variation

  • The New York hot dog is traditionally an all-beef hot dog to keep the recipe Kosher, but you can replace them with the hot dog or sausage of your choice.