Homemade Hot Dogs: Juicy Summer Bliss Now

Oh, that first bite into juicy homemade hot dogs—pure bliss! Imagine savoring homemade hot dogs at a backyard bash, patriotic event, summer picnic, or cozy night in. Yum, right?

Enjoy these tasty smoked homemade hot dogs!

Ever dreamed of crafting homemade hot dogs from scratch? Trust me, it’s a total blast! They’re surprisingly easy to whip up (unless you’re our video producer—check out the chaos above). For instance, we smoked ours on a smoker, so if you’re craving a simple, tasty recipe for tomorrow, you’ve struck gold here!

Why bother with homemade? Because nothing beats the smoky satisfaction of your own creation. Plus, you control the flavors—think bold spices and juicy goodness in every bite! Therefore, let’s dive into this tasty adventure together.

Ingredients for Homemade Hot Dogs

Hot Dog Ingredients:

• Start with 5 lbs. of lean steak, cubed
• Add 1 ½ lbs. of pork fat, cubed
• Mix in a generous 2 Tbsp. of white pepper
• Include 2 Tbsp. of onion powder for depth
• Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. of sea salt for balance
• Use 1 Tbsp. of curing salt to preserve
• Toss in 2 Tbsp. of paprika for color
• Blend 2 Tbsp. of garlic powder for zest
• Prepare natural pork casing (28–40 mm)
• Finish with 2 cups of ice water

Toppings for Homemade Hot Dogs:

• Hot dog buns (dry or steamed)
• Chili
• BBQ sauce
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Relish
• Cheddar cheese, shredded
• Pickled jalapeño rings
• Onions (chopped, raw, or caramelized)

Tools You’ll Need:

• Stand mixer with meat grinder and sausage stuffer attachment
• Food processor

How to Make Homemade Hot Dogs

Step 1: Chill Your Homemade Hot Dogs Prep

Begin by tossing your cubed meats, fats, and grinder attachments into the freezer for a quick chill—30 to 45 minutes hits the mark! Meanwhile, watch the meat firm up; once the edges harden, you’re ready to proceed.

Step 2: Mix Spices for Homemade Hot Dogs

Next, while that chills, whip up your homemade hot dogs seasoning! For example, blend paprika, garlic powder, white pepper, onion powder, sea salt, and curing salt for a flavor explosion. If you’re sneaky, snag a taste—your secret’s safe with us!

Step 3: Grind with Flair

Then, set up your meat grinder with the right blades, cranking it to medium-high. Afterward, feed the meat and fat through with flair—here’s a pro tip: toss in 1-2 pork fat cubes after every 4-5 meat cubes for a dreamy texture.

Step 4: Season with Speed

Timing’s critical now! Once ground, swiftly sprinkle in your seasoning mix. Consequently, stir it fast and furious to keep it cold—aim to finish in 5-6 minutes for top-notch results.

Step 5: Blend with Ice Magic

Feeling the thrill yet? Carefully shift the meat to your food processor in small batches, gradually adding ice water. Thus, this meat-to-ice-water trick works wonders—it’s like getting oil and water (or Sean and instructions) to dance together!

Step 6: Wrap It Tight

However, once blended, wrap the meat snugly in plastic, squeezing out all air for a tight seal. Teamwork helps, so jump on this right away to keep the emulsification solid. Afterward, let it chill in the fridge for 24 hours, safe from oxidation.

Step 7: Stuff Homemade Hot Dogs Casings

Once 24 hours pass, it’s stuffing time! Gently slide the natural casing onto the sausage stuffer, dodging air pockets like a pro. Then, push the cured meat through smoothly—aim for a few feet of homemade hot dogs! Indeed, the office crew calls this a “natural” talent.

Step 8: Twist with Pizzazz

Now, pick your hot dog length (5-6 inches is classic) and twist those sausages into shape—unless you’re gunning for that “raw hot dog hose” vibe! Plus, switch up the twists to keep them locked in place; consequently, they’ll be ready to shine.

Step 9: Smoke for Smoky Bliss

Instead, let’s crank up the smoky vibes! Fire up your smoker to 250°F with gusto. Subsequently, once it’s hot, pop your segmented links inside and smoke them for 45 minutes. You’re nearly at hot dog nirvana!

Step 10: Serve with Glee

Finally, yank those smoked links out and slice them apart with glee. Nestle one into a bun, pile on toppings like chili, BBQ sauce, or jalapeños, and dive into a big, joyful bite of your homemade hot dogs. For first-timers, snag a comfy spot to kick back; meanwhile, savor the blissful reward!

Would you like some Lemon Vinaigrette with Asparagus to go with your homemade hot dogs? Alternatively, perhaps you’d like to pile on some wild toppings? If you’re looking for unique options, then check out these 51 Ways To Top A Hot Dog.

If you’ve ever made your own hot dogs before, then please pass along your recipes in the comments below. After all, sharing is half the fun!