Description
This smooth and tangy Southern West Virginia Hot Dog Chili Sauce is a nostalgic, flavor-packed topping that transforms hot dogs into something special. With lean ground beef, warm spices, a touch of sweetness, and a vinegary tang, it’s a must-have at cookouts, ballgames, and comfort food nights.
Ingredients
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1 lb ground beef (lean)
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup tomato sauce
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2 tbsp yellow mustard
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1 tbsp vinegar (apple cider or white)
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1 tbsp brown sugar
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1 tsp chili powder
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½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
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¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
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½ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp salt
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¼ cup water (as needed)
Instructions
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In a skillet, brown the ground beef until no longer pink. Crumble finely.
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Add onions and cook until translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
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Sprinkle in spices—chili powder, paprika, cayenne, pepper, and salt. Cook 1 minute.
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Add tomato sauce, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, and water. Stir well.
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Simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes until thick and rich. Add water to adjust consistency.
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Taste and tweak seasoning as needed. Serve hot over your favorite comfort food.
Notes
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Sauce freezes well; store in portions for future use.
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Make it milder by omitting cayenne. Spicier? Add hot sauce or more chili powder.
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For ultra-smooth texture, blend briefly or use a potato masher while cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Sauce/Condiment
- Method: Stovetop simmer
- Cuisine: Appalachian / American
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
Keywords: WV hot dog chili, West Virginia hot dog sauce, Appalachian chili sauce, hot dog topping, no bean chili sauce