I’m a chef – the best way to grill hotdogs at your 4th of July BBQ and why you should ‘bathe’ them
A HEARTY American favorite, hotdogs are up there on the list of the best barbecuing foods. So, this Independence Day, you should make sure you’ve got your hotdog cooking strategy down pat. Consulting experts, Insider laid out the best way to grill your hotdogs to perfection. DON’T COOK YOUR HOTDOGS OVER DIRECT HEAT As hotdogs […]
A HEARTY American favorite, hotdogs are up there on the list of the best barbecuing foods.
So, this Independence Day, you should make sure you’ve got your hotdog cooking strategy down pat.
Consulting experts, Insider laid out the best way to grill your hotdogs to perfection.
DON’T COOK YOUR HOTDOGS OVER DIRECT HEAT
As hotdogs are small pieces of meat, it doesn’t take much to burn them.
“To avoid burning or overcooking your dogs on the grill — which can cause the casing to burst — cook them over indirect heat on the grill grate and move them around frequently so every side gets touched by the heat source,” said Claudia Sidoti, principal chef and head of recipe development at HelloFresh.
DON’T POKE OR SPLIT YOUR HOTDOGS
It’s natural to try to prod your hotdogs while they’re on the grill to check how done they are, but this should be avoided.
“Since hot dogs are usually precooked, there is no need to split them open or pierce them during the cooking process. By poking and prodding your dogs, you release the delicious juices that make them juicy,” Sidoti said.
So, instead of causing your hotdogs to rupture, be sure to turn them using tongs to ensure the castings stay flavor-filled.
CHANGE YOUR GRILLING TEMPERATURE TO THE FAT CONTENT OF THE HOTDOGS
Different hotdog brands contain different amounts of fat.
That said, you should cook the hotdogs according to their fat content.
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“Consider the fat content in the hotdogs to determine what heat you should be grilling at. Higher-fat dogs should be cooked at a medium heat whereas leaner dogs should be grilling on a medium-low setting,” said Julie Busha, grilling expert and creator of Slawsa hotdog condiment.
ENSURE YOUR GRILL IS HOT ENOUGH BEFORE YOU ADD HOTDOGS
A too-hot grill can ruin your hotdog’s casing, but a grill that’s too cool can also be an issue.
“If your grill is too cold, your hotdog will get dried out or tough,” said Tim Hollingsworth, the chef and owner of Otium in downtown Los Angeles. “Be sure to preheat your grill for a few minutes. I usually aim for a grill temp of 425 degrees [Fahrenheit] with a cook time of about 10 minutes.”
PREPARE THE BUNS
While the hotdog itself is the star of the meal, the bun plays an equally important part.
Be sure to warm your buns up.
“A hotdog bun should be gently toasted, which can be achieved by throwing the buns on the grill for about one minute per side,” Sidoti stated.
For an extra splash of flavor, brush the inside of the heated bun with a bit of butter or oil.
BATHE YOUR HOTDOGS BEFORE GRILLING THEM
Bathing your hotdogs in a flavorful liquid can help them be super tasty.
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“Keep an aluminum pan filled with a mixture of hot beer, onions, and seasonings on indirect heat and place your hotdogs in before grilling,” Busha advised. “This not only warms the hotdogs but also helps firm up that natural casing without breaking it.”
Before serving them up, pick the hotdogs up from their bath and sear them on the grill.