Chili Cheese Dog

Name: Chili Cheese Dog
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 hot dogs; 4 hot dog buns; 1 1/2 cups chili, homemade or canned, no beans; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; 2 tbsp diced onion, optional; Yellow mustard, for serving

4 servings10 min prep12 min cookEasy

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Chili Cheese Dog

Story updated September 18, 2026

Chili-topped hot dogs reflect a broader American tradition of dressing up hot dogs with regional toppings, with Southwestern and Los Angeles institutions like Tommy's helping popularize the chili-and-cheese combination in the mid-20th century.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

4 hot dogs
4 hot dog buns
1 1/2 cups chili, homemade or canned, no beans
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp diced onion, optional
Yellow mustard, for serving

Instructions

1Warm the chili in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
2Cook the hot dogs in a skillet, on a griddle, or on the grill, turning occasionally, until browned and heated through, about 6 to 8 minutes.
3Lightly toast the buns if desired, then nestle a hot dog into each one.
4Spoon warm chili generously over each hot dog and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
5Add diced onion and a drizzle of mustard if desired, then serve immediately while the cheese is still melty.

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