Grilled Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Pickled Relish

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic Chicago street food with a char-grilled all-beef hot dog nestled in a poppy seed bun and topped with tangy pickled relish and fresh toppings. This american-inspired street food ready in about 16 minutes pairs all-beef hot dogs, poppy seed hot dog buns, yellow mustard for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 6 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly brush 1 tbsp vegetable oil on grill grates.
  2. Step 2: Grill 4 all-beef hot dogs for 5-6 minutes, turning regularly until the outside is charred and heated through.
  3. Step 3: While hot dogs grill, lightly toast 4 poppy seed buns on the grill for 1-2 minutes until warm and slightly crisp.
  4. Step 4: Place each grilled hot dog into a toasted bun. Squeeze 1 tsp yellow mustard down the center of each hot dog.
  5. Step 5: Spoon 1 tbsp bright green sweet pickle relish evenly over the mustard on each hot dog.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tbsp finely chopped white onion over each dog, then add 2 tomato wedges along the side inside the bun.
  7. Step 7: Lay 1 pickle spear on each bun’s side, add 2 sliced sport peppers on top of the dog, and sprinkle 1/8 tsp celery salt evenly over each.
  8. Step 8: Serve immediately for an iconic Chicago street food experience.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Pickled Relish take to make?

Total time is about 16 minutes (10 min prep + 6 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 Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Pickled Relish?

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 all-beef hot dogs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Pickled Relish?

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 Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Pickled Relish 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 Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Pickled Relish?

American street food 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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