Description
This Southern West Virginia Hot Dog Chili Sauce is a classic Appalachian condiment made with finely crumbled beef, sweet and savory spices, and a slow-simmered richness that’s perfect for topping hot dogs, burgers, and more.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2–3 cups water
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- In a deep skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up into fine crumbles with a spoon or masher.
- Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, minced onion, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Add 2–3 cups of water to fully cover the meat. Stir and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Simmer for an additional 30–45 minutes until the sauce is thick and rich.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve warm over hot dogs or your favorite dishes.
Notes
- For authentic texture, pulse cooked beef briefly in a food processor.
- Chili sauce can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Add more red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Use leaner beef or ground turkey as a lighter alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Sauces and Toppings
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern Appalachian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Southern West Virginia Hot Dog Chili Sauce, hot dog chili, WV chili sauce, meat sauce, Appalachian recipes