Chicago Style Hot Dog Recipe

Vegan hot dog sausages: Plant-based sausages that mimic the taste and texture of traditional hot dogs.

Poppy seed hot dog buns: Soft buns sprinkled with poppy seeds, adding a slight crunch and nutty flavor.

Diced tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes chopped into small pieces, adding juiciness and a burst of flavor.

Diced onions: Finely chopped onions that provide a sharp, tangy contrast.

Pickle spears: Long slices of pickles that add a crunchy, tangy element.

Sport peppers: Small, spicy pickled peppers that give a kick of heat.

Yellow mustard: Classic condiment that adds a tangy, slightly spicy flavor.

Sweet pickle relish: Sweet and tangy relish that complements the other flavors.

Celery salt: A seasoning blend of salt and ground celery seeds, adding a unique savory note.

To achieve the perfect grill marks on your vegan hot dog sausages, make sure your grill or skillet is preheated to medium heat. Lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking. Rotate the sausages a quarter turn every 1-2 minutes to ensure even cooking and those classic grill marks. This not only enhances the flavor but also gives your Chicago-style hot dogs an authentic look.

• Vegan hot dog sausages - Substitute with carrot dogs: Carrot dogs can be marinated and grilled to mimic the texture and flavor of hot dogs, providing a healthier and whole-food alternative.

• Poppy seed hot dog buns - Substitute with whole grain buns: Whole grain buns offer more fiber and nutrients while still providing a sturdy base for the toppings.

• Diced tomatoes - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers add a sweet and smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

• Diced onions - Substitute with scallions: Scallions provide a milder onion flavor and add a nice crunch and color to the hot dog.

• Pickle spears - Substitute with cucumber spears: Fresh cucumber spears offer a crisp texture and refreshing taste that pairs well with the other toppings.

• Sport peppers - Substitute with jalapeño slices: Jalapeño slices provide a similar heat and flavor profile, making them a good alternative to sport peppers.

• Yellow mustard - Substitute with Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard offers a more complex and tangy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the hot dog.

• Sweet pickle relish - Substitute with chopped dill pickles: Chopped dill pickles provide a tangy and crunchy texture without the added sweetness, balancing the flavors better.

• Celery salt - Substitute with sea salt and celery seed: A mix of sea salt and celery seed can replicate the unique flavor of celery salt while allowing for better control over sodium content.

• Allow the vegan hot dog sausages to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the sausages soggy.

• Wrap each vegan hot dog sausage individually in aluminum foil or parchment paper. This helps maintain their shape and prevents them from sticking together.

• Place the wrapped sausages in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.

• Store the poppy seed buns separately from the sausages. Wrap them in plastic wrap or place them in a bread bag to keep them from drying out.

• For the diced tomatoes and diced onions, store them in separate airtight containers. This prevents the flavors from mingling and keeps them fresh.

• The pickle spears and sport peppers can be stored in their original jars or transferred to airtight containers. Ensure they are submerged in their brine to maintain their crunch.

• Yellow mustard and sweet pickle relish should be stored in their original containers and kept in the refrigerator.

• To freeze the vegan hot dog sausages, place the individually wrapped sausages in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.

• The poppy seed buns can also be frozen. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil for an extra layer of protection.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw the vegan hot dog sausages and poppy seed buns in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the sausages on a grill or skillet and toast the buns as per the original recipe instructions.

• Assemble the Chicago style hot dogs with the fresh toppings and enjoy a taste of the Windy City anytime!

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap each vegan hot dog in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
• For a quicker method, use a microwave. Place the vegan hot dogs on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway to ensure even heating.
• If you prefer a stovetop method, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of olive oil or vegan butter to the skillet. Place the vegan hot dogs in the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally until heated through.
• To reheat the poppy seed buns, wrap them in aluminum foil and place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes until warm and slightly crispy.
• For the toppings, such as diced tomatoes, diced onions, and pickle spears, it's best to use fresh ingredients. However, if you need to reheat them, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave should suffice.
• Reassemble your Chicago Style Hot Dog with the reheated components, adding fresh yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, and a sprinkle of celery salt to finish. Enjoy!

• Grill: Use this to cook the vegan hot dog sausages evenly and give them a nice char.

• Skillet: An alternative to the grill, perfect for cooking the sausages indoors.

• Tongs: Essential for turning the sausages on the grill or skillet without burning yourself.

• Knife: Needed for dicing the tomatoes and onions.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables.

• Measuring cups: Use these to measure out the diced tomatoes and onions accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, and celery salt.

• Serving platter: Ideal for arranging and serving the assembled hot dogs.

• Spatula: Useful for toasting the buns on the grill or skillet.

• Basting brush: Can be used to lightly oil the grill or skillet before cooking the sausages.

Pre-chop vegetables: Dice tomatoes and onions in advance and store them in the fridge.

Use pre-made buns: Buy poppy seed hot dog buns to save time on baking.

Pre-grill sausages: Grill extra vegan hot dog sausages and store them for quick reheating.

Assemble ahead: Prepare all toppings like pickle spears, sport peppers, yellow mustard, and sweet pickle relish in small bowls for easy access.

Quick toast: Use a toaster oven to quickly toast the buns instead of a skillet.