Chakalaka Loaded Hot Dogs
Updated: Aug 17, 2022
Grilling is a great way to bring people together in the summer months! And easy, customizable meals like these loaded hot dogs are perfect for hosting large outdoor gatherings. This simple recipe comes together in less than 20 minutes. Everyone can help with the prep and customize the hot dogs to their liking with an array of toppings.
With more people turning towards plant-based diets, we wanted to provide a vegetarian option that’s just as filling and satisfying as original chili dogs. For a vegetarian option, simply use vegetarian hot dogs and use Chakalaka in place of meat-based chili. Chakalaka is similar to chili in many ways. Beans are a primary component, it’s spicy, filling, nutritious and delicious!
Whether you choose to go all-vegetarian or provide options for vegetarians and omnivores alike, we’ve gathered some of our top tips for making the best loaded hot dog bar to keep all of your guests happy and well-fed.
Tips for Making the Best Loaded Hot Dogs:
1. Grill the hot dogs.
Grilled hot dogs have more flavor than boiled hot dogs. If you don’t have a grill, you can also cook them on the stove top to give them a little bit of char.
Hot dogs take only about 5-7 minutes to cook on the grill. And they don’t take up a lot of space, so you can grill up a lot at once, which is perfect for hosting a large group of family and friends! If you’re making regular hot dogs and vegetarian hot dogs, make sure to keep them separated and plate them on different platters.
2. Toast the buns.
Toasting the buns is another great way to add flavor and a bit of a crunchy texture to this meal. You can grill the buns on the top rack of the grill to prevent burning. It only takes about one minute to toast hot dog buns to a perfect golden brown.
If you’d like, you can even provide different options for the buns. Brioche rolls, Kaiser rolls, and poppyseed rolls are all delicious with hot dogs.
3. Load on the toppings.
Aim to have a variety of toppings with a good balance of flavors and textures. Try to offer some components that offer each of the following:
Hearty - chili, Chakalaka
Acidic - relish, sauerkraut, pickled vegetables
Crunchy - raw minced onion, fried onions straws, pickles
Creamy – condiments, shredded cheese
Spicy - sriracha, kimchi, pickled jalapenos, red pepper flakes. Chakalaka is also available in varying levels of spiciness– choose from mild, medium, or spicy.
We love to create a toppings bar with different options so that everyone can create their own.
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Chakalaka is all about bringing people together. This makes for an easy and fun preparation that’s perfect for hosting a summer barbecue or tailgate. It’s fun to choose your own toppings, and you’re sure to have something everyone will love!
Yield: 8 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
16 hot dogs
16 hot dog buns
2 packages of Chakalaka
Optional toppings: mustard, relish, shredded cheese, minced onion, pickled vegetables (see full blog post for more topping ideas)
Preparation
Prepare Chakalaka according to package instructions. Keep warm while preparing the other toppings.
Preheat the grill to 400 degrees. Grill the hot dogs for about 3-5 minutes per side, until well charred and cooked through. In the last minute of cooking, lightly toast the buns on the grill until golden brown.
Serve the hot dogs family-style, alongside prepared Chakalaka and an array of toppings. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!