Sugar & Snap Peas

  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • Easy Breakfast Recipes
    • Easy Lunch Recipes
    • Easy Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert
    • Easy Side Dish Recipes
    • Salad Dressing
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Easy Summer Recipes
  • Recipe Index
  • About me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Easy Summer Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • About me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipe Index » All Recipes

    Grilled Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut

    Published: May 28, 2022 · Modified: May 19, 2024 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a comment.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

    Uplevel hot dog night with this irresistible grilled hot dogs and sauerkraut recipe! Topped with sauerkraut, caramelized onions, and grainy stone ground mustard, these hot dogs are so much better than your average hot dog and ketchup combo! I guarantee you won't be able to stop at just one!

    Three hot dogs and sauerkraut, mustard, and caramelized onions on parchment paper and a cutting board.

    When you tire of the same ol' ketchup and mustard hot dog routine, give these unbelievably tasty grilled hot dogs topped with sauerkraut and caramelized onions a try!

    They're layered with tangy sauerkraut, sweet caramelized onions, and grainy stone ground mustard, creating an impressive flavor profile only grown-ups can appreciate! That's why I recommend making these for mom and dad and saving the classic version for the kiddos.

    Sauerkraut and hot dogs are seriously delicious and the perfect complement to any summer BBQ side, such as a classic potato salad (without eggs) or summer tortellini salad.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🥘Ingredients
    • 🔪Equipment needed
    • 📋 How to make Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs
    • 🌭Ingredient substitutions
    • 📖Variations
    • 🍽Storage
    • ⭐Expert tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 🥗What to serve with hot dogs and sauerkraut
    • Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs Recipe
    • 💭Hungry for more?
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Versatile - You can make your savory grown-up hot dog, and your kids can still stick to the classic toppings - ketchup, yellow mustard, and some pickles on the side.
    • Cooked how you like - These hot dogs can be cooked however you prefer—on the grill, in a frying pan with olive oil or butter, in the air fryer, or boiled.
    • Family-friendly - This is a quick and easy recipe that is also perfect if you're on a budget!
    • A summer staple - This recipe is perfect for a backyard cookout, BBQ, Memorial Day weekend party, or 4th of July!

    🥘Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make the sauerkraut and hot dogs recipe.
    • Hot dogs - I used beef hotdogs for this recipe, but you could also use pork or turkey hotdogs.
    • Sauerkraut - Sauerkraut is finely chopped, fermented raw cabbage. Sauerkraut can be purchased with no added ingredients, or you can find it in a variety of flavors.
    • Brown mustard - I really prefer grainy brown mustard for this hot dog recipe. Woodstock Organic Stone Ground Mustard and Organicville Stone Ground Mustard are both great choices! Substitute with Dijon mustard, spicy brown mustard, or German mustard if needed.
    • Hot dog buns - Choose whatever hotdog buns that you prefer!
    • Onions - The onions are used to make caramelized onions. Caramelized onions are cooked over medium-low heat for about 45 minutes. They take some time to cook, but they are such a delicious hot dog topping that they are worth the extra cooking time!
    • Butter & salt

    *See the recipe card for exact quantities.

    🔪Equipment needed

    • Large frying pan, outdoor grill, or stock pot - You can use any of these cooking tools to make your hot dogs. Choose whichever one you prefer!
    • A large skillet with deep sides will be used to make your caramelized onions. The onions eventually cook down, but to start, you will need a deep frying pan or skillet.

    📋 How to make Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs

    Recipe rundown

    1. Make the caramelized onions.
    2. Cook the hot dogs.
    3. Top each hot dog with caramelized onions, sauerkraut, and brown mustard. Enjoy!

    Step-by-step instructions

    Step 1: Thinly slice each medium onion and place them into a hot, oiled, large skillet.

    Raw onions in a red skillet.

    Step 2: Sauté the onions over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.

    Onions caramelizing in a red skillet.

    Step 3: Reduce the heat to low, add the teaspoon of salt, and cook for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. The onions will reduce and turn a deep golden brown color. When the onions have finished cooking, transfer them to a small bowl.

    Tip: Some caramelized onion recipes call for balsamic vinegar or brown sugar. These additions aren't absolutely necessary, and your onions will still perfectly caramelize without them.

    Caramelized onions in a red skillet.

    Step 4: While the onions are caramelizing, cook your hot dogs. I prefer to sauté hot dogs in a frying pan on the stovetop. You can also grill your hot dogs or boil them in water.

    Three plain hot dogs in buns, on a sheet pan, mustard in top right corner, sauerkraut in top left corner, caramelized onions in bottom left corner, cooked hotdogs in bottom right corner.

    Step 5: When your onions have finished caramelizing, you can start layering your ingredients onto the hotdogs! Start with a scoop of onions.

    Three hot dogs topped with caramelized onions in buns, on a sheet pan, mustard in top right corner, sauerkraut in top left corner, caramelized onions in bottom left corner, cooked hotdogs in bottom right corner.

    Step 6: Add a scoop of sauerkraut on top of the onions.

    Three hot dogs topped with onions and sauerkraut in buns, on a sheet pan, mustard in top right corner, sauerkraut in top left corner, caramelized onions in bottom left corner, cooked hotdogs in bottom right corner.

    Step 7: Top the sauerkraut with a layer of mustard.

    Three hot dogs topped with onions, sauerkraut and mustard in buns, on a sheet pan, mustard in top right corner, sauerkraut in top left corner, caramelized onions in bottom left corner, cooked hotdogs in bottom right corner.

    That's it! Serve the hot dogs immediately, and use these toppings to make as many hot dogs as you need.

    🌭Ingredient substitutions

    • Mustard - If you don't like grainy mustard, you can substitute it with yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, or honey mustard.
    • Buns - Try pretzel buns or even a sandwich wrap.
    • Hot dogs - To make this a plant-based meal, you can replace the meat-based hot dogs with vegetarian hot dogs or swap out the beef/pork hot dogs for turkey dogs.

    📖Variations

    • Spicy - Use a sriracha or jalapeno-based sauerkraut to add some heat to this recipe!
    • Kid-friendly - Kids may not like this recipe, but luckily, you can easily adapt hot dogs for dinner night to fit anyone's preferences!
    • Other topping options - Some other toppings that I think would be delicious are sweet pickle relish, Thousand Island Dressing, sour cream, melted Swiss cheese, a pinch of black pepper, and sautéed bell peppers.

    🍽Storage

    Store leftover ingredients separately. The jars of mustard and leftover sauerkraut can last in the fridge for weeks. Store leftover caramelized onions and leftover cooked hot dogs in a sealed, air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    ⭐Expert tips

    • No matter which way you cook your hot dogs, they will cook very quickly! Keep an eye on them so that they don't burn.
    • The caramelized onions can be made in advance. If you're making this recipe for a party and want to save time the day of the event, make the caramelized onions the day before.
    • Sauerkraut is packed in liquid. When scooping out sauerkraut to add to the hot dogs, use a slotted spoon so that the liquid drains out while you are scooping it.
    • This is a fantastic recipe to add to your next party food menu! Sauerkraut hot dogs can be served at your Memorial Day weekend BBQ, 4th of July BBQ, Labor Day weekend party or any birthday party!

    Frequently asked questions

    Does sauerkraut go with hot dogs?

    Yes, I think the flavors in tangy sauerkraut and savory hot dogs pair together very well!

    Is sauerkraut and hot dogs healthy?

    Sauerkraut is a very healthy side dish! Sauerkraut is full of vitamins, minerals, and gut-healthy probiotics.

    What to add to sauerkraut and hot dogs?

    As you can see in my recipe, I think caramelized onions and brown mustard are the perfect additions to sauerkraut hot dogs!

    🥗What to serve with hot dogs and sauerkraut

    Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs is an easy recipe that can be served with a variety of different sides! Try serving sauerkraut hot dogs (AKA weenies) with potato salad, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, grilled vegetables, baked beans, vegetable salad, soft pretzels, and macaroni salad.

    • Potato salad without eggs in a large round white bowl, with a spoon, blue cloth napkin on the left, fresh parsley on the top right.
      Easy Potato Salad without Eggs
    • Overhead view of the Marinated Vegetable Salad on a large plate, with a blue napkin, and wooden salad tongs.
      Marinated Vegetable Salad Recipe
    • Tortellini Salad with Arugula in a white bowl, sitting on top of a light blue napkin.
      Summer Tortellini Salad with Arugula
    • zoomed in image of air fryer sweet potato fries in a round metal tin with honey mustard sauce on the side
      Alexia Sweet Potato Fries Air Fryer
    Print

    Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs Recipe

    Hotdogs and sauerkraut on a brioche bun with mustard.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    The next time you serve hot dogs for dinner, get creative with them and try out this Sauerkraut and Hot Dogs Recipe! These delicious hot dogs are topped with tangy sauerkraut, sweet caramelized onions and grainy, brown mustard. 

    • Author: Katie
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 50 minutes
    • Total Time: 55 minutes
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: lunch, dinner
    • Method: stove top cooking
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 5 medium onions - thinly sliced
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 8 hot dogs
    • 8 hot dog buns
    • 16 ounce jar sauerkraut
    • Stoneground mustard

    Instructions

    1. Heat the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the sliced onions to the skillet.  Sauté the onions over medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 10 minutes.  
    2. Turn the heat down to low, add the teaspoon of kosher salt and let the onions cook for 35-40 minutes.  Stir the onions every 5 minutes.  They will slowly turn a deep golden brown color as they caramelize and reduce down.  After 35-40 minutes, remove the onions from the heat and set aside.  
    3. While the onions are cooking, you can cook your hot dogs.  The hot dogs can be grilled, cooked in a frying pan or boiled.  Follow package instructions for cooking your hot dogs. 
    4. Once your hot dogs are cooked and your onions have caramelized, you can begin assembling your sauerkraut hot dogs.
    5. Place each hot dog in a bun, top the hot dogs with a layer of caramelized onions, then a layer of sauerkraut and then the stoneground mustard.
    6. You'll have some mustard, sauerkraut and caramelized onions leftover.  Serve your sauerkraut hot dogs immediately and enjoy!

    Notes

    • To save time the day your serving your hot dogs, make the caramelized onions in advance.   If the onions are made in advance, then this recipe can be made in under 10 minutes!

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @sugar_and_snap_peas on Instagram. I can't wait to see what you've made!

    💭Hungry for more?

    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

    💭Did you make this recipe? Please leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and tell me how much you loved it!

    More recipes

    • Grilled boneless chicken thighs on a plate.
      Grilled Chicken Thighs (Foolproof Every Time!)
    • Chicken thighs served over carrots and potatoes.
      Baked Chicken, Potatoes, and Carrots (One Pan Recipe!)
    • Peppers, onions, shaved ribeye steak, and white rice in a bowl, garnished with green onions.
      Philly Cheesesteak Bowls with Rice (No Cheez Whiz!)
    • Broccoli and bacon quiche on a cutting board.
      Simple Broccoli Bacon Quiche (with Frozen Pie Crust)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Katie in front of a tree

    I'm Katie, the food blogger, recipe developer, and photographer behind Sugar & Snap Peas. I mostly share high-protein dinner recipes for busy families. These easy dinner ideas take the guesswork out of mealtime so that you can get back to family time, knowing dinner is taken care of!

    More about me →

    Summer Recipes

    • Turkey Smash Burger on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese, surrounded by potato chips.
      Turkey Smash Burgers (15-Minute Recipe)

    • Dutch Oven Pulled Pork recipe topped with coleslaw and BBQ sauce, on a bun.
      Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe

    • Creamy American coleslaw in a white bowl, on top of a blue checkered napkin.
      Creamy American Coleslaw

    • Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad in a white serving bowl, on top of a yellow napkin with a lemon and fresh herbs in the background.
      Mediterranean Tomato and Cucumber Salad

    Reader Favorites

    • Pork meatballs served over pasta on a white plate.
      Ground Pork Meatballs (Slow Cooker)

    • Dutch Oven Pulled Pork recipe topped with coleslaw and BBQ sauce, on a bun.
      Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe

    • Balsamic chicken thighs cooked, in a round, red baking dish.
      Balsamic Chicken Thighs (Boneless)

    • Sliced chicken thighs on a plate with a fork and knife.
      Blackened Chicken Thighs (Boneless)

    • Assembled teriyaki beef bowl in a white bowl with a fork, spoon, and napkin in the background.
      Teriyaki Ground Beef Bowls (20 Minute Recipe!)

    • Chicken, broccoli, potato casserole in a round dish, baked, with cheese and toasted breadcrumbs.
      Chicken Broccoli Potato Casserole (Made from Scratch!)

    • Dijon chicken thigh in a cast iron skillet, garnished with fresh parsley.
      Easy Dijon Chicken Thighs

    • Ground pork spaghetti sauce tossed with cooked pasta, served in a brown colored serving bowl with grated parmesan cheese, fresh parsley and a cloth napkin the background.
      Ground Pork Spaghetti Sauce

    Trending Posts

    • Pan-fried pork cutlets on a plate.
      Pan-Fried Pork Cutlets

    • Boil chicken thighs on a plate garnished with fresh thyme.
      How to Boil Chicken Thighs (Fresh or Frozen)

    • Salmon pasta without cream in a large blue bowl.
      Salmon Pasta without Cream

    • Two baked potatoes, cut open with butter and chives, on parchment paper with a fork and knife.
      Perfect Baked Potato (without foil)

    • Sliced chicken thighs on a plate with a fork and knife.
      Blackened Chicken Thighs (Boneless)

    • Fajita-seasoned sheet pan chicken with peppers and onions on a round plate. The chicken is sliced.
      Chicken with Peppers and Onions (Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • DMCA
    • CCPA

    Newsletter

    • Newsletter signup coming soon!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Sugar & Snap Peas