Smoked Hot Dogs

Smoked hot dog recipes like this are a must for summer! Give it a try and I guarantee they will be the best hot dogs you've ever tried! Pile on your favorite condiments and enjoy the flavor of these slow cooked smoked hot dogs. A simple and easy idea for a cookout! 

Once the summer heat hits, we do the majority of our cooking out on the pellet grill or charcoal. Smoking hot dogs is a family favorite main dish and for good reason. That smoky flavor paired with the saltiness of the cooked dogs creates the perfect bite every time.

Not only does this add a ton of flavor, but these tasty hot dogs are juicy and tender, too. It is an easy hot dog recipe with delicious smoke flavor.

You might as well grill up some great sides to go with your smoked hot dogs. I love these Smoked Baked Beans as my go-to easy recipe for a summer side. Add some potato chips and macaroni salad and dinner is done!

Ingredients

Hot dogs - Use whatever type or brand of hot dogs that you like. We typically use beef hot dogs but pork hot dogs or turkey hot dogs are fine. We make score marks on them with a sharp knife. Why? Because scored hot dogs absorb more delicious smoky flavor and look cool.

Smoked Onion Relish

Smoked onions  - The cooked onions help to add an even smokier flavor and taste.

Pickles - I like using dill pickles but you can use sweet pickles or even bread and butter pickles.

Mustard - There's nothing quite like the saltiness of the mustard with the flavor of the hot dog.

How To Make Smoked Hot Dogs

Step One: Put the hot dogs on the pellet smoker right on the grill grates for 1 hour at 225 degrees. A charcoal grill or gas grill work too if you have a smoker box.

Step Two: Mix the relish ingredients together to create the onion relish. Add to your hot dog and enjoy.

Storage: Make sure to store any leftover hot dogs or smoked onion relish in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Variations

Toppings - Favorite toppings for a good hot dog can be anything. Try ketchup, yellow mustard, mayo, tomatoes, chili, cheese, diced avocado, barbecue sauce, and/or diced onions. Add whatever hot dog toppings you like!

Change up the meat - There are other low-fat options for hot dogs such as turkey dogs or even chicken sausage that you can cook up and grill.

Seasoning - You can rub the dogs down with olive oil and then add your favorite flavor barbecue rub. Any dry rub will work. We like a simple combo if brown sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Common Questions

Can you freeze cooked hot dogs?

You can. Just let the hot dogs cool down all the way and then add them to a freezer bag. They should stay fresh and frozen for up to 3 months.

What type of wood should I use to smoke hot dogs?

Hot dogs are really verstaile so any type of your favorite wood chips are fine. We like to use hickory and pecan but you can easily use what you have. Cherry wood works well. Change up the type of wood and you'll be amazed at the different flavors that really stand out more than others.

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Recipe

Originally Published June 7, 2022. Revised and Republished May 10, 2024.