In this post I’m sharing the recipe for Julia’s Southern Hot Dog Chili Sauce. It’s my signature hot do chili recipe and folks sure do love it!
I’ve loved hot dogs as long as I can remember. Hot dogs topped with good ole’ fashioned chili sauce! Some even go so far as to top that chili with a helping of coleslaw too.
How do you prefer topping your hot dog? Typically for myself it is chili, mustard and onions. Sometimes slaw on top. If I’m just having a chili bun though, which is a thing, it’s the bun with mayonnaise and chili.
Regardless of how you top them, hot dogs are a favorite for many.

Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Ground Beef
- 1/8 c Ketchup
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce
- ½ Medium Onion Minced (Keep the other half as a condiment for the Hot Dogs)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ c Beer (optional)
- 3-4 c Water
- ½ tsp Paprika
- Pinch Sugar
- 2 tbs Chili Powder
- 2 tbs Tomato Paste
Old Fashioned Hot Dog Chili Sauce


Cover the ground beef with water and break up the meat completely. Next, add the beer (if using), diced onion, Worcestershire, ketchup, hot sauce sauce and spices and start on Medium High to bring to a rapid boil.
Reduce and simmer. You can cook it down faster if needed on a higher temperature, just until most water is reduced. Stir occasionally.
When water is reduced, add tomato paste to thicken. Stir to incorporate.
Serve as a hot dog topping.
Leftover chili sauce freezes well.
Get the Recipe for Carolina Slaw Dogs
Carolina Style Southern Hot Dog Chili Sauce
Best Hot Dog Chili
Julia's Southern Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Delicious Southern style hot dog chili sauce is the perfect topping for hot dogs. Everyone enjoys my signature recipe for hot dog chili and I know you will too.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Ground Beef
- 1/8 c Ketchup
- 1 tsp Hot Sauce
- ½ Medium Onion Minced (Keep the other half as a condiment for the Hot Dogs)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ c Beer (optional)
- 3-4 c Water
- ½ tsp Paprika
- Pinch Sugar
- 2 tbs Chili Powder
- 2 tbs Tomato Paste
Instructions
- Cover the ground beef with water and break up the meat completely. Next, add the beer (if using), diced onion, Worcestershire, ketchup, hot sauce sauce and spices and start on Medium High to bring to a rapid boil.
- Reduce and simmer. You can cook it down faster if needed on a higher temperature, just until most water is reduced. Stir occasionally.
- When water is reduced, add tomato paste to thicken. Stir to incorporate.
- Serve as a hot dog topping.
- Leftover chili sauce freezes well.
Notes
Please not that the seasonings will intensify as the liquid cooks away. Taste shortly before planning to serve then adjust seasonings if necessary.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
25Serving Size:
about a tablespoonAmount Per Serving: Calories: 81Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 153mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 8g
Check out my Fast Skillet Hot Dog Chili Recipe

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Julia’s Southern Hot Dog Chili Sauce
Thank you for stopping by! I hope that you love this hot dog chili just as much as so many do. I get rave reviews for this chili recipe. If you like the old fashioned classic hot dog chili like Southern grandmothers used to make then you’ll love this one too.
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Meet Julia
Author of Julia's Simply Southern
About Julia
Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Leaha
Tuesday 5th of April 2022
Would it make a huge difference without the Worcestershire sauce?! I have everything but that. If so is there anything else I could use in its place! Super excited to try this tonight!!
Leaha
Tuesday 5th of April 2022
@Julia Jordan, thank you very much!!!
Julia Jordan
Tuesday 5th of April 2022
Nah, not a big deal at all, Leaha. Enjoy the recipe. ~Julia
Stacy May
Thursday 17th of February 2022
What if only using 1lb of ground beef,how would measurements be for ingredients?
Julia Jordan
Thursday 17th of February 2022
If it were me, I would just keep them the same :) ~Julia
Moon
Wednesday 26th of January 2022
I was very confused on the NOT cooking the ground beef, so I went ahead and cooked it first. I did use a potato masher to break the beef down. I loved the consistency of the chili but felt it could use more flavoring. I ended up adding in mustard, extra chili powder, and hot sauce. BUT this is a good recipe, thank you so much.
Julia Jordan
Wednesday 26th of January 2022
I'm glad that you enjoyed the recipe. The recipe does call for adding the raw ground beef and cover with water. It will cook as it simmers. The flavors do intensify the seasonings as the liquid cooks out but we all have varying tastes so season however you like :) ~Julia
Belle
Saturday 16th of October 2021
Seriously the best chili recipe! Had to substitute turkey for the ground beef and still turned out amazing. Will be making it the fourth weekend in a row!
Julia Jordan
Sunday 17th of October 2021
Thank you so much for stopping by to let me know how much you have been enjoying the hot dog chili recipe. It makes me so happy that you do! ~Julia
Ahawk
Saturday 7th of August 2021
I’ve cooked chili for years! This is a good Recipe! I add a couple of bay leaves at the start, used brown sugar, and guess most measurements! I add the liquids and brown it then finish for an hour or so in a double broiler on the stove then let it cool and paper towel off most of the grease! Great job Julia!
Julia Jordan
Sunday 8th of August 2021
Thank you :)