Hot Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I could’ve fired up my gas grill to cook a batch of hot dogs. Or lit some charcoal. That’s when I had a ‘duh’ moment. The Big Easy! It cooks everything great, so why not use it! So that’s what I did and wow, I have to say it cooks up hot dogs about as quick and as easy as you could possibly get. Just fire it up, load it up and wait. Read a book, watch some TV, play a game, because there’s no turning, no worrying, no burning. Hot dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy are done in no time and roasted perfectly! Say hello to the new way to cook up hot dogs!

Hot Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

For something totally different, try marinating your hot dogs first.

Char-Broil makes two different kabob sets for the Big Easy. One sits on the bottom of the Big Easy with the kabobs extending upwards. The other rests on top of the cooking basket with the kabobs pointing downward. Either one will work just fine for cooking up a nice big batch of hot dogs. There’s plenty of room in the Big Easy for jumbo dogs, too.

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Hot Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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5 from 1 vote

Hot Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

I could’ve fired up my gas grill to cook a batch of hot dogs. Or lit some charcoal. That’s when I had a ‘duh’ moment. The Big Easy! It cooks everything great, so why not use it!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, hot dogs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 111kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 8 hot dogs you can also substitute fresh, uncooked sausages but you’ll have to increase the cook time

Instructions

  • Fire up your Big Easy.
  • Thread the hot dogs onto the Big Easy kabobs. If using the holder that points downward be sure you use the cotter pins or the dogs might slide down and off as they cook.
  • Lower the kabobs into the Big Easy and cook for 12 minutes or until done as desired.

Notes

I easily fit 8 regular-sized hot dogs onto the kabobs. I might could squeeze 8 more. If you use bun-length dogs you’ll only be able to fit 8.

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 308mg | Potassium: 66mg | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoked Spiral Hot Dogs

What fun these smoked spiral hot dogs were to make and devour! I’ve made spiral dogs before, but this technique is much better than my old way. The key is inserting a skewer thru the dogs to keep them together after slicing. And of course, the skewer keeps you from slicing in too far. I smoked my spiral dogs, but you could just as easily grill them.

Smoked Spiral Hot Dogs

My wife and I recently ran across The Mustard Man at an event at the Jungle Jim’s market in Fairfield, OH. After sampling each of mustard I instantly picked up a bottle of each one. They are truly fantastic. I squeezed a bit of the Simple Pepper and Simply Maple on each of our smoked spiral dogs. The mustard runs down into the spirals, filling each bite with mustardy goodness. We cannot recommend The Mustard Man’s mustard enough!

Also try my other version of yummy smoked spiral hot dogs.

The Mustard Man
Smoked Spiral Hot Dogs
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5 from 1 vote

Smoked Spiral Hot Dogs

What fun these smoked spiral hot dogs were to make and devour!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs, smoked
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 111kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Fire up your smoker for 225 F. You can also make these hot dogs on a grill
  • Carefully guide the skewer through the center of the hot dogs. If you get the skewer crooked at it pokes out of the side of the dog just pull it back and try again. I found that laying the hot dogs down on a flat surface and sliding the skewer in from the side, parallel to the counter top, worked best.
  • Lay the skewered dog down onto a cutting board or flat surface.
  • Holding a knife at a 45 degree angle, starting at one end of the dog, cut into the dog down to the skewer. Start rolling the hot dog, keeping the knife inserted into the hot dog, making cuts that are about 1/2″ apart. Continue rolling and cutting until you reach the other end of the hot dog.
  • Gently pull the dog apart, separating the cuts. Be careful, you don’t want to break it.
  • Sprinkle with your favorite seasoning.
  • Place dogs onto the smoker and smoke for 2 hours. If grilling grill until done as desired.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 308mg | Potassium: 66mg | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Hot Dogs of the Big 10 Conference

A few years ago the Big 10 basketball tournament was held here in Indianapolis. As part of the event, the Levy restaurant group in Chicago produced unique hot dogs that highlight each of the Big 10 teams. I came across a copy of the list of the dogs recently, and just had to make each of them.

Indiana Hoosier Dog
Iowa Hawkeye Dog
Purdue Boilermaker Dog
Illinois Fighting Illini Chedder Dog
Michigan State Spicy Spartan Dog
Minnesota Gopher Dog
Penn State Roaring Lion Dog
Northwestern Wildcat Dog
Ohio State Buckeye’s Dog
Michigan Wolverines Blue Cheese Bacon Dog
Nebraska Cornhusker Dog

Steakhouse Hot Dogs

I’ve put onions on a hot dog before, sure. And I’ve even put steak sauce on a hot dog before. Why did it never occur to me until now to add tomatoes? Well, by golly, as simple as they are, these steakhouse hot dogs are downright delicious! Perfect for a picnic or family get-together. Not boring. Different. And really good. That great all-beef dog taste with steak sauce is awesome as is, but add the crunch of some onions and the cool tomato slices, and you’ve got a darned good dog. Grab two, and some chips.

Steakhouse Hot Dogs

It’s possible that I might have slipped a few drops of hot sauce into the steak sauce before pouring it over my steakhouse hot dogs. All I’m saying is that it’s possible. Use your own discretion on that one.

Also try my Stroganoff hot dogs. A little different, but very good.

Steakhouse Hot Dogs
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4 from 1 vote

Steakhouse Hot Dogs

I’ve put onions on a hot dog before, sure. And I’ve even put steak sauce on a hot dog before. Why did it never occur to me until now to add tomatoes? Well, by golly, as simple as they are, these steakhouse hot dogs are downright delicious! 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 246kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 4 hot dogs
  • 4 hot dog buns
  • 2 plum tomatoes sliced thin
  • ¼ white onion sliced thin
  • ¼ cup steak sauce

Instructions

  • Grill or cook hot dogs as desired.
  • Place dogs on buns.
  • Add tomatoes and onions.
  • Drizzle with steak sauce and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 764mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Jumbo Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Note: This recipe was developed using the Char-Broil Big Easy Oil-Less Fryer. If you are cooking using the Char-Broil Smoker-Roaster Grill you should cook with the lid open and the temperature set to High. You might also need to adjust the cooking time.

I love cooking on my Char-Broil Big Easy. So much that I even put together a free eCookbook containing some of my favorite Big Easy recipes. Like most people, I bought my Big Easy for cooking turkey at Thanksgiving. I quickly realized that I can cook just about anything in it. Even jumbo hot dogs! Yep! Jumbo dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy are crazy easy, and crazy good. The dogs get a great crispy crunchy casing that just pops in your mouth. The meat is tasty, moist and perfect!

Jumbo Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Don’t be shy with your Jumbo Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy. Add some sweet onions and peppers along with the jumbo dogs and let them roast along with the dogs. Chop and add them to buns to make a great dog even better. You can also cook up a big batch of regular-sized hot dogs in your Big Easy, enough for a crowd!

Love your Big Easy as much I love mine? Check out my Big Easy Add-Ons page and my free Big Easy eCookbook!

Jumbo Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy
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5 from 1 vote

Jumbo Dogs on the Char-Broil Big Easy

Jumbo dogs are crazy easy, and crazy good. The dogs get a great crispy crunchy casing that just pops in your mouth. The meat is tasty, moist and perfect!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Big Easy, Char-Broil, hot dogs
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 445kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the dogs into a baggie or resealable container.
  • Add the marinade and let marinate for 30 minutes.
  • Fire up the Char-Broil Big Easy.
  • Place dogs onto kabobs and lower into the cooker.
  • Cook for 10-15 minutes or until the dogs are nice and toasty hot!

Notes

 
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Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1231mg | Potassium: 263mg | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Hot Dog Tomato Salad

What? Hot dogs in a fresh tomato salad? Well, that’s how my mom got me to eat tomatoes when I was a kid. I didn’t really like tomatoes then, but I was more than happy to sit down with a bowl of this hot dog tomato salad.

The key for me was to eat everything BUT the hot dogs first. This left the best part, hot dogs sitting in a great vinegary and oniony dressing. The dogs would soak up a bit of the vinegar and taste unlike any hot dog I’d ever had. Add strangely enough, I would drink up the remaining dressing. Odd, huh?

Hot Dog Tomato Salad

As much as it might sound a little odd, this is a great salad. You can leave out the hot dogs if you like, but I highly recommend adding them. Believe it or not, hot dogs and tomatoes go great together!

If you’re looking for a more grown-up tomato dish, try my cherry tomato salad.

Hot Dog Tomato Salad
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Hot Dog Tomato Salad

What? Hot dogs in a fresh tomato salad? Well, that’s how my mom got me to eat tomatoes when I was a kid. I didn’t really like tomatoes then, but I was more than happy to sit down with a bowl of this hot dog tomato salad.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs, salad, tomato
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 268kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients. Add more vinegar if you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 407mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 1196IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Islander Hot Dogs

These Islander hot dogs are another example of a great dog that doesn’t take a lot of work to put together. Think hot dog. Think salad. Put them together. That’s it! My wife proclaimed these to be one of the best dogs I’ve ever made, even though they are definitely one of the easiest. There’s a great contrast between the grilled beefy dogs, crispy cold lettuce, tomato, and pickle, and tartness from the salad dressing.

Islander Hot Dogs

You could add more of your favorite salad toppings to your Islander hot dogs. Like crumbled cooked bacon. Or chopped onions. Or even croutons!

Also give my Jersey City dogs a try.

Islander Hot Dogs
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5 from 1 vote

Islander Hot Dogs

These Islander hot dogs are another example of a great dog that doesn’t take a lot of work to put together. Think hot dog. Think salad. Put them together.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 294kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Toast buns as desired.
  • Cook the dogs (I prefer to grill mine).
  • Place the dogs in the buns. Top with lettuce, tomato and pickles.
  • Drizzle with the salad dressing and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 789mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Pizza Hot Dogs

Yes! Give me some pizza hot dogs any day and I’m a happy guy! Great sauce and ooey-gooey cheese with a little basil. What is there not to like? I approach these dogs exactly like I would a pizza crust. I can put the same toppings on my hot dog as I can put on my pizza. Onions, mushrooms, pepperoncinis, it doesn’t matter what!

Pizza Hot Dogs

I make a big batch of marinara sauce in our slow cooker and keep some on hand in the freezer for easy meals like these pizza hot dogs. Just warm the sauce a bit and spoon it over a cooked dog. This is also a great way to use up those last few tablespoons of jarred pizza sauce that we always end up with.

Also try my salsa dogs.

Pizza Hot Dogs
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5 from 1 vote

Pizza Hot Dogs

Yes! Give me a pizza hot dog any day and I’m a happy guy! Great sauce and ooey-gooey cheese with a little basil. What is there not to like? 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 407kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 2 hot dogs or substitute halved Italian sausages for even more pizza flavor
  • 2 hot dog buns
  • ¼ cup marinara sauce I used our slow cooker sauce
  • 4 slices Mozzarella cheese
  • pinch basil fresh, chopped, or substitute a bit of dried

Instructions

  • Cook dogs and warm buns as desired.
  • Place dogs on buns and top with sauce and cheese.
  • Place under broiler just long enough to start melting the cheese.
  • Sprinkle with basil and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 1036mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 516IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 374mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Nacho Hot Dogs

My addiction to hot dogs is not a secret. I’ve made them hundreds (it seems) of different ways, from traditional to definitely-not-traditional. A dog and a bun make a great canvas for flavors (I bet no one has ever said that before). Like these nacho hot dogs. They’re really great. I really like the contrast between the beefy dog flavor and the coolness of the guacamole and sour cream, along with the crunchiness of the chips.

These hot dogs have some of my favorite toppings on them (you can add whatever, of course).

Nacho Hot Dogs

I could see adding refried beans. Or black olives. Jalapenos. Chopped tomatoes. Green chiles. You name it. Also try my other variation on nacho hot dogs. Same concept, different toppings.

Nacho Hot Dogs
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Nacho Hot Dogs

A dog and a bun make a great canvas for flavors (I bet no one has ever said that before). Like these nacho hot dogs. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword hot dogs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 401kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 4 hot dogs
  • 4 hot dog buns warmed if desired
  • handful tortilla chips crumbled
  • 1 cup salsa
  • ½ cup Mexican shredded cheese
  • ½ cup guacamole
  • ½ cup Mexican crema or sour cream
  • cilantro chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Grill (or cook) your dogs as desired.
  • Place dogs in buns. Top with remaining ingredients plus anything else you can find.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1200mg | Potassium: 468mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 583IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 247mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fajita Seasoning Mix

We love our taco seasoning mix. It has a great spicy flavor that is perfect with ground beef for tacos. For fajitas we use this mix. Fajita seasoning mix doesn’t just have to be used on fajitas. We enjoy it mixed in (about a tablespoons worth) with sauteed bell peppers and sweet onions (one each medium green and red bell peppers and a medium sweet onion), which we then used to top burgers and hot dogs.

Fajita Seasoning Mix

We seasoned a few home-ground beef patties with the mix, grilled them, then served them topped with the veggies, which were sliced.

Sprinkle a bit of the mix on hot dogs, grill them, and serve them on buns topped with the fajita-seasoned veggies (and a little cheese). We chopped the peppers and onion for the hot dogs.

Make a big batch of this and keep it in an airtight container in your pantry. This mix is perfect on beef. For chicken fajitas, try my chicken seasoning.

Fajita Seasoning Mix
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Fajita Seasoning Mix

Fajita seasoning mix doesn’t just have to be used on fajitas. We enjoy it mixed in (about a tablespoons worth) with sauteed bell peppers and sweet onions (one each medium green and red bell peppers and a medium sweet onion), which we then used to top burgers and hot dogs.
Course Seasoning Mix
Cuisine American
Keyword seasoning, southwestern
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 cup
Calories 191kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 191kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 14233mg | Potassium: 953mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 7810IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 306mg | Iron: 10mg

Nutritional values are approximate.