Growing up, my idea of a grilled cheese sandwich was pretty basic – just bread and cheese in a pan. And hot dogs? Those were strictly backyard BBQ food on a bun. It wasn’t until college that my roommate combined the two, and I thought she’d lost her mind.
Turns out, she was onto something pretty smart. A hot dog grilled cheese is exactly what it sounds like – the comfort of melty cheese with a sliced-up hot dog tucked inside. When you’re hungry and want something quick that hits those childhood cravings, this sandwich checks all the boxes. And the best part? It’s almost impossible to mess up.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Dog Grilled Cheese
- Quick and easy – This fun mashup comes together in just 15-25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a fast lunch option.
- Kid-friendly favorite – It combines two classic comfort foods – hot dogs and grilled cheese – into one irresistible sandwich that kids absolutely love.
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Customizable – Feel free to switch up the cheese varieties or add your favorite toppings to make it your own – try different cheese blends or add some caramelized onions.
What Kind of Hot Dogs Should I Use?
When it comes to hot dogs, you’ve got quite a few options at the grocery store. All-beef hot dogs tend to have the best flavor and texture for this recipe, but turkey or chicken dogs work well too if you’re looking for a lighter option. The standard-sized hot dogs (about 6 inches) fit perfectly in regular hot dog buns, though you’ll want to avoid the extra-long or jumbo varieties since they’ll throw off the cheese-to-dog ratio in this recipe. Just be sure to check that your hot dogs are fresh and have a good color – they should look plump and pink, not dull or slimy. If you’re feeling fancy, you could even try using kosher hot dogs, which typically have a more robust, seasoned flavor.
Options for Substitutions
This fun twist on a classic sandwich can be customized with several easy swaps:
- Hot dogs: Regular beef hot dogs work great, but you can switch them up with turkey dogs, chicken sausages, or even plant-based hot dogs if you’re looking for alternatives.
- Cheese blend: While cheddar and pepper jack make a tasty combo, feel free to use any melting cheese you have on hand – American, mozzarella, or provolone all work well. Just keep the total amount of cheese the same.
- Bacon: You can skip the bacon if you want to keep it simpler, or try turkey bacon for a lighter option. Pre-cooked bacon bits work in a pinch too – use about 1/2 cup.
- Butter: Mayonnaise can actually be a great substitute for butter when grilling – it creates a nice golden crust. You could also use margarine or olive oil.
- Garlic powder: Out of garlic powder? Try onion powder instead, or skip it altogether – your sandwich will still be plenty tasty!
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling
The biggest challenge when making hot dog grilled cheese is managing different cooking temperatures – grilling the hot dogs too quickly can leave the cheese unmelted, while focusing too much on melting the cheese can lead to burnt hot dogs. A simple solution is to grill the hot dogs first until they’re nearly done, then add them to the buns with cheese and finish everything together over medium heat. Another common mistake is overloading the buns with cheese, which can lead to a messy overflow – stick to about 2-3 tablespoons of mixed cheese per hot dog for the perfect melt-to-meat ratio. To prevent the buns from becoming too greasy or burnt, brush them lightly with butter mixed with garlic powder, and keep a close eye on them as they toast – they should turn golden brown in about 2-3 minutes on each side.
What to Serve With Hot Dog Grilled Cheese?
This mash-up of two comfort food favorites calls for some classic cookout-style sides to round out your meal. French fries or potato chips are perfect companions – they add that salty crunch that just makes sense with a cheesy sandwich. For a lighter option, a simple coleslaw or dill pickle spears bring a nice tangy contrast to all that melty cheese and savory meat. I like to serve this with a squirt of yellow mustard on the side too, since it works great with both the hot dogs and the grilled cheese elements of the sandwich.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Hot dog grilled cheese sandwiches are best enjoyed right after making them while the cheese is all melty and the bun is crispy. If you have leftovers, wrap them in aluminum foil and pop them in the fridge for up to 2 days, though the texture won’t be quite the same as fresh.
Make Ahead: You can prep some components ahead of time to make assembly quicker. Cook your bacon and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, and pre-shred your cheese mixture to have it ready to go. This way, you’ll just need to assemble and grill when you’re ready to eat!
Warm Up: To bring back some of that fresh-made magic, wrap your leftover sandwich in foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. You can also use a toaster oven, but avoid the microwave as it’ll make the bun soggy. The goal is to get that cheese melty again while keeping the bun crispy!
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 15-25 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1800-2000
- Protein: 70-80 g
- Fat: 130-140 g
- Carbohydrates: 100-110 g
Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 4 buns
- 8 slices bacon, cooked
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Step 1: Prepare the Butter and Buns
Begin by heating a grill pan or griddle over medium-high heat.
Melt some butter and mix it with garlic powder to enhance its flavor.
Brush the outsides and insides of the buns generously with the garlic butter mixture.
This will help crisp them up and add flavor during grilling.
Step 2: Grill the Hot Dogs and Buns
Carefully cut a slit in each hot dog to allow for even cooking and ensure they plump up nicely.
Place the prepared hot dogs and buttered buns into the preheated grill pan.
Cook them for about a minute on each side, just until they get those lovely grill marks and are heated through.
Step 3: Assemble the Hot Dogs
Once both the hot dogs and buns are nicely grilled, place a hot dog inside each bun.
Add 2 slices of bacon and a quarter of the cheese on top of each hot dog.
Close the buns around the hot dogs, pressing down slightly with a spatula to flatten them a bit, which helps them cook evenly.
Step 4: Melt the Cheese
Turn the heat down to medium-low to prevent burning and to allow the cheese to melt slowly.
Cook until the cheese inside the buns is melted and gooey.
This should only take a few minutes.
Be patient, as the lowered heat helps achieve the perfect texture.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once the cheese is beautifully melted and everything is heated through, remove the hot dogs from the grill pan.
Serve hot and enjoy the delightful blend of flavors with a satisfying crunch from the grilled buns!
