Grilled Buffalo-Style Chili Cheese Hot Dog
A smoky grilled hot dog topped with spicy chili, melted cheddar, and a tangy slaw, inspired by Buffalo street food favorites. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 20 minutes pairs links all-beef hot dogs, hot dog buns, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 links all-beef hot dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup canned chili (no beans)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup green cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup carrot, shredded
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp hot sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush 4 all-beef hot dogs with 1 tbsp olive oil and grill for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until charred and heated through.
- Step 2: While hot dogs cook, mix 1 cup shredded green cabbage and 1/2 cup shredded carrot with 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a bowl to make a quick slaw.
- Step 3: Warm 1 cup canned chili (no beans) in a small saucepan over low heat until hot.
- Step 4: Toast 4 hot dog buns on the grill for 30 seconds until lightly browned.
- Step 5: Place grilled hot dogs in buns, spoon 1/4 cup warm chili over each, sprinkle with 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and top with a generous scoop of the prepared slaw.
- Step 6: Drizzle 1/2 tsp hot sauce over each hot dog before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Buffalo-Style Chili Cheese Hot Dog take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Buffalo-Style Chili Cheese Hot Dog?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep links all-beef hot dogs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Buffalo-Style Chili Cheese Hot Dog?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Buffalo-Style Chili Cheese Hot Dog for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Buffalo-Style Chili Cheese Hot Dog?
American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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