The city and state fairs are approaching and we know you're DROOLING to enjoy a hot and juicy hot dog covered in delicious hot dog sauce! Now we share the secrets for a delicious JDawgs state fair style hot dog--and include a healthier copycat version too!
Our city fair was not kind to me this year in the food department. The ONLY food truck that offered anything that I could eat that made my mouth water was the Dole Whip truck. And the line was so long that I couldn't bring myself to stand in line for an hour to get one.
So I decided after five minutes that I was done waiting in line.
I also smelled hot dogs and my mouth started to water.
If you love those city and state fair hot dogs covered in sweet and savory sauce, this is the recipe for you!
Why Do You Criss Cross Cut Hot Dogs?
After eating at a restaurant here in Utah that only sells hot dogs (and one of my favorites because they serve their hot dogs on gluten free buns!) I found that the criss cross pattern they serve their hot dogs with is actually for a good reason.
The criss cross pattern actually cooks your hot dog better. Beef hot dogs will start to curl up as they cook and caramelize inside. The healthier turkey or meatless versions make it so it has a delicious consistent flavor throughout the hot dog.
What Type of Hot Dogs Are Best to Use?
Any type! If you are going for legit city or state fair style hot dog make it all beef.
But you can try meatless, turkey or other versions if you're going for healthy.
What is JDawgs Sauce?
JDawgs is a Utah based hot dog restaurant. We recommend pouring a little of this easy homemade sauce over your hot dog. It just adds another layer of deliciousness to your hot dog.
Healthier State Fair Hot Dogs with JDawgs Hot Dog Sauce
These delicious hot dogs are amazing covered in some JDawgs hot dog sauce!
- Beef hot dogs (can substitute turkey or meatless for a healthier version. For a legit JDawgs hot dog we recommend beef polish hot dogs)
- Hot dog buns
- ¾ cup ketchup
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp BBQ sauce (we used Stubbs)
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tsp cider vinegar
- 1 ½ tsp Worchestire sauce
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Pinch black pepper
Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, BBQ sauce, honey, vinegar, Worchestire sauce, onion powder and black pepper in a saucepan set to medium high heat.
Once the mixture starts to bubble, remove from heat and allow to cool while you cook the hot dogs.
Set your grill to medium heat. With a serrated knife, make criss cross patterns a little more than half way through the hot dog. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook for several minutes, rotating until cooked through and lightly browned with grill marks.
Right before removing the hot dogs from the grill, place the buns on the grill and toast insides until light grill marks appear (approximately one minute).
To serve: Place the hot dog inside the hot dog bun and drizzle with hot dog sauce.
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