17 hot dog toppings and hacks to try this Memorial Day

Erin McDowellMay 29, 2024, 08:21 IST

The only thing better than a classic hot dog is one stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon.kivoart/Getty Images

Hot dogs are one of the most popular Memorial Day foods, and you can get creative with toppings.
Chopped pickles, bacon bits, and guacamole are just a few easy additions.

Hot dogs are one of the easiest and most delicious cookout foods perfect for Memorial Day.

They're also among the most popular grilling foods in the summer. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council reports that Americans eat roughly 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day, for roughly $614 million in hot-dog sales.

However, you don't have to stick with the standard mustard, ketchup, and relish for toppings — and you might already have good additions in your kitchen.

From chopped pickles to melted cheese, here are 17 hot-dog toppings and hacks to try.

One simple trick can turn your hot dogs into spirals, which makes them extra crispy.

Spiralized hot dogs.AHPhotoswpg/Getty Images

Stuff your hot dogs with cheese and wrap them in bacon for a decadent twist on this cookout favorite.

Hot dogs with cheese and bacon.kivoart/Getty Images

Give your hot dogs a Vietnamese twist with banh mi toppings and served in a sliced baguette.

Banh mi hot dog.Minh Hoang Ly/EyeEm/Getty Images

Or go for a German-style hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut.

Hot dog with mustard and sauerkraut.carpe89/Shutterstock

A quick pineapple or mango salsa can take your hot dogs to the next level.

Hot dog with pineapple and chips.Juanmonino/Getty Images

Quick pickled onions add a slightly tangy taste to hot dogs, and they're surprisingly easy to make.

Pickled red onion.DPRM/Shutterstock

While relish is a common addition to hot dogs, you can also chop up your own pickles.

Chopped pickles.Yurchikys/Shutterstock

Sliced jalapeños turn up the heat on a classic hot dog.

Hot dog with chili, cheese, and sliced jalapeño.StudioGShock/Getty Images

You can also add an easy homemade pico de gallo to your hot dogs.

Hot dog with pico de gallo, ketchup, and mustard.Erin McDowell/Insider

Sautéed mushrooms add a rich, earthy flavor to hot dogs.

Hot dogs with mushrooms and lettuce.ArtiArun/Getty Images

Adding some baked beans as a topping makes hot dogs a lot more flavorful.

Baked beans.grandriver/Getty Images

Chili and shredded cheese make for a classic hot-dog combination.

Chili cheese hot dogs.ALLEKO/Getty Images

You can also add melted cheese for a delicious cheese dog.

Hot dogs with cheese sauce.Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Bacon bits add a salty taste and crispy texture to hot dogs.

Hot dog with bacon bits and onions.May Tse/South China Morning Post/Getty Images

You can also give hot dogs a spicy twist by topping them with a drizzle of Buffalo sauce and blue cheese.

Buffalo sauce.bhofack2/Getty Images

Greek food-inspired toppings put a Mediterranean twist on a traditional hot dog.

Greek-style hot dog.Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register/Getty Images

A quick homemade guacamole also adds fresh flavor to store-bought dogs.

Hot dog with guacamole.Gabyseguame/Getty Images

I made a hot dog in 4 different appliances, and I'll never use the microwave again

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