Hot dogs for a day at the game, the beach, boat, or any other time you want a quick and easy meal on the go. Summer is winding down, so let’s make the most of it and keep things simple. Leave more time for the fun stuff!
This is hardly a recipe, but rather a simple suggestion on how to make a fun picnic lunch for whatever your adventures are this weekend. Nothing tastes better than a hot dog on the beach, but it’s not always easy to bring a grill along for the trip. While this won’t be exactly as hot as a fresh off the griddle dog, it’s close and makes a simple lunch that feeds a crowd of all ages. This could also work in a ski lodge for a mid-day lunch – options abound for how to use this recipe – get out there and enjoy the weekend!
While I won’t take any credit for the recipe (it’s just hot dogs and buns), the method of transport is the key here. If you pan grill or fry the hot dogs ahead, wrap them in foil, and then stick them all into a cooler, it becomes a traveling warming oven, and works exactly as you would hope – to keep your hot dogs hot!
Make Ahead Tailgate Dogs
Equipment
- a small to medium sized cooler, for keeping the hot dogs warm
Ingredients
- 16 hot dogs
- 4 Tbsp butter
- 16 hot dog buns
- mustard and onions for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a cast iron skillet, grill pan or fry pan over medium heat, melt 2 Tbsp of the butter, and cook the hot dogs until golden brown and slightly blistered, about 7-8 minutes total, turning every few minutes for even cooking.
- Remove the hot dogs from the pan, and grill the buns in the remaining butter in the pan, about 30 seconds a side. Assemble the hot dogs individually, and wrap each fully in it's own tinfoil package. Stack the wrapped hot dogs into a cooler (withOUT ICE!), which will become a warmer for the hot dogs - they should stay warm for several hours, depending on the quality of your cooler.
- Enjoy with the toppings of your choice!
Life is short, so let’s eat hot dogs.
