Best way to cook a lot of hot dogs

Over the past 100 years, we’ve learned a thing or two about how to cook up the perfect hot dog, and we’d love to share some of our hot dog know-how with you.

Now we know your kitchen probably isn’t equipped with a dual-temperature, industrial flat top grill like the one at our original Coney Island restaurant. But that’s OK! Nathan’s Famous hot dogs can be just as delicious at home. Here’s how to cook the perfect hot dog.

Step 1. Picking Makes Perfect

The first step, of course, is to start with the best: a Nathan’s. Pick your favorite from our lineup, whether it’s Original Skinless Beef Franks, Bun-Length Skinless Beef Franks, or any of our other delicious Nathan’s Famous hot dogs. They’re all 100% beef, with no artificial flavors and no by-products.

Step 2. Cook It!

From pan frying, to grilling, to oven, to dare we say it, even microwaving, there are countless ways to cook a dog, but which one’s the most delicious?

The good news is that no matter how you cook it, you can enjoy a piping hot, mouthwatering Nathan’s hot dog. Pick your cooking method and we’ll give you our top tips from there.

Pan Frying on the Stove

Love a crispy outside on your frank? Pan frying hot dogs browns them up just right.

Add water to a skillet or frying pan. Cover the surface with half an inch of water.
Turn the heat on medium-high. Heat the pan until the water starts to boil off.
Gently add the hot dogs. You’ll only want to cook a few at a time with this method.
Steam them. Roll the hot dogs frequently to get them browned on all sides.

Famous Tip: Want a more decadent flavor? Swap out the water for a generous dab of butter or a few tablespoons of oil.

Serve. Use tongs or a fork to remove the hot dogs. Then enjoy!

Famous Tip: For a rich and toasty bun to pair with your frank, try this trick.

After you take the hot dogs out of the pan, turn off the heat and place the buns face down in the leftover juices. Let them simmer for about 45 seconds.

On the Grill

Grilling gives your hot dog that smoky, summer flavor you just can’t get any other way. Plus, no pots and pans to clean! Home run.

Turn on your grill. You want one side of your grill to be more hot and one more cool. If you have a charcoal grill, stack more coals on one side. If you have a gas grill, adjust the knob settings accordingly.
Cook the hot dogs on the cooler side of the grill so that they can heat through without burning on the outside. You’re looking for that perfect brownish-red color.

Famous Tip: Lay the dogs at an angle for that beautiful, diagonal char mark that makes your mouth water.

Cook one minute on each side.
Move the hot dogs to the hot side of the grill. If your hot dogs haven’t developed that delicious-looking, deep brown color, move them to the hot side of the grill and keep them rolling until they’re looking perfect.
Serve. Take your hot dogs off the grill, dress them up your way and dig in!

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy loved Nathan's dogs, and served them at the White House. The only question is: did she grill, boil or roast?

In the Oven

Oven-roasting hot dogs is a great alternative to grilling because you can brown them like you can on the grill. Craving a juicy, grilled hot dog in winter? The oven is the next best thing!

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
Put your hot dogs in a pan or tray.You can use a casserole dish, a roasting pan or even a baking tray (as long as it has a rim for catching juices). Line the dish with foil for extra easy cleanup.
Cook for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on your dogs. You’ll know they’re done when you see them begin to brown and curl just a bit. Can’t you just hear the sizzle?

Famous Tip: Turn on the broiler if you like your dogs extra crispy.

Serve. Take your hot dogs out of the oven, top them and enjoy!

In the Microwave

The best thing about microwaving hot dogs is that you can have one ready to go in under a minute.

Prep your frank. Wrap it in a paper towel and place it directly in the microwave or put the hot dog on a plate and cover it with a paper towel. The paper towel traps the moisture that escapes from the hot dog as it cooks, keeping it nice and juicy.

Cooking more than one? Lay them side by side on a plate and cover them all with a paper towel. Just make sure to leave a little space in between so they cook evenly.

Famous Tip: It’s a myth that you need to fork your frank first. Actually, piercing it lets the delicious juices escape so your dog dries out.

Cook on high. Start at 40 or 50 seconds for one frank. For each additional, add about 20 seconds.
Check in. When time is up, check to see if they’re warmed up all the way through. If not, microwave them another 30 seconds and test one again. Repeat until your hot dog is cooked to perfection.
Carefully remove your frank. You’re so close! Just be careful as you remove your hot dog. Trapped steam can burn.
Serve. Top it and take a bite!

Famous Tip: For a warm, fluffy bun, microwave it separately for 10 to 15 seconds.

Boiling

Looking for the best way to how to boil a hot dog? Honestly we just don’t recommend it. We didn’t back in 1916 when Nathan Handwerker started it all, and we still don’t today.

When you boil a Nathan’s, all that special flavor rushes out into the water. And let’s be frank: who wants to eat a watered-down hot dog?

Step 3. Top That

Want some ideas for toppings? Go classic with ketchup, mustard, and relish, or up the ante with bold fixings to whip up a BBQ Bacon Hot Dog or a Chili Cheese Hot Dog.

Get more ideas in our recipes section.

How Do You Cook It?

Tell us, do you have a traditional way to cook your Nathan’s hot dogs that’s different? Tell us on Facebook or Instagram!

How to Cook Hot Dogs is not limited to boiling them. These 10 ways to cook Hot Dogs will help you serve up the perfect hot dog every time.

I would argue a good quality, well cooked hot dog is just as appetizing as any other main dish.

Hot dogs are no longer a one note food. With all the different types available it makes sense to have just as many ways to cook the perfect hot dog!

These 10 ways to cook hot dogs will give plenty of options and tips.

Jump to:

Types of Hot Dogs

Hot Dogs are traditionally made of beef and pork however can also be made with chicken or turkey. Some hot dogs are a mix of meats.

The hot dog package should state what type of meat is in the hot dogs. However, reading the ingredient label tells the full story!

My personal preference are all-beef hot dogs for the flavor.

Read the Ingredients Label

I also prefer a hot dog with ingredients I can understand. The fewer and better ingredients generally lead to better flavor and quality (my opinion).

One might wonder if hot dogs really can differ all that much in flavor and quality. The answer is a resounding YES, they can.

Like any other cut of meat, you usually get what you pay for.

Reading the ingredients is always crucial to ensure you are buying something which will star with flavor. The label will also state the additional ingredients, whether they are gluten-free, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between cured and uncured hot dogs?

Cured hot dogs are preserved with nitrites and nitrates. These chemicals help preserve meat so it doesn’t spoil (it may also affect the color of the hot dogs).
Uncured hot dogs have no preservatives so it’s especially important to keep them refrigerated until cooking/reheating them.

Are Hot Dogs Precooked?

Though hot dogs are precooked before packaging the FDA recommends always reheating them until they ‘are steaming’.

Do I have to reheat hot dogs?

After being processed and packaged, hot dogs can become contaminated with Listeria germs. Use one of the following methods for how to cook hot dogs to reheat hot dogs before eating them!

Best Ways to Cook Hot Dogs

Myth Busting: Don’t Pierce Hot Dogs with a Fork Before Cooking!

Especially for grilling and steaming there is a school of thought to pierce the hot dogs with a fork before cooking. This allows venting of any steam from the juices heating up.

The goal is to prevent the hot dog case from bursting when cooked over high heat. Mainly on the grill or in a microwave.

DON’T PIERCE HOT DOGS! This allows the juices to come out and the hot dog to become dry and less flavorful.

The cooking methods I’m sharing here are successful WITHOUT piercing the hot dog.

How to Grill Hot Dogs

Grilling hot dogs adds great flavor and those grill marks we love! Exploding hot dogs can be avoided by cooking on the grill in the Indirect Method.

Only half the grill has heat for the Indirect Method. The hot dogs are placed over the area of the grill that is NOT heated directly underneath.

For a gas grill. Heat an outside burner but grill the hot dogs on the area just next to it with no direct heat underneath.

For a charcoal grill. Move the heated charcoal to one side of the grill. This can be done manually or using an insert for your grill. Grill the hot dogs on the opposite side without the coals.

Place the hot dogs on the prepared grill grate NOT ABOVE the heat source.
Want some grill marks? Place them on an angle to the grates to get gorgeous grill marks!
Grill the hot dogs about 1 minute per side to fully heat through. Turn using heatproof tongs.
Want to crisp up the outer casing of the hot dogs? Put them on the direct heat side of the grill for a few seconds. Watch carefully to ensure no burning or case bursting.

How to Microwave Hot Dogs

This is probably the fastest way to reheat a hot dog. This method allows the hot dogs to steam under a paper towel for quick heating all the way through.

For a Single Hot Dog. Wrap the hot dog in a paper towel and cook on high (100%) for 45 seconds. Check and if additional heating is desired, cook in 15 second increments until done.

For Multiple Hot Dogs. Place the desired number of hot dogs on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a paper towel. Cook on 100% or High for:

40 seconds for the first hot dog, and
20 seconds for each additional hot dog being cooked.

Example: for 4 hot dogs the time would be 40+20+20+20 seconds= 1 minute and 40 seconds. Since microwaves vary always check the hot dogs for doneness.

Hot to Steam Hot Dogs

Steaming hot dogs is an alternative to boiling. It reheats them fully though does not add more flavor as with grilling or pan frying.

In a pot with a steamer insert, or using a steamer basket inserted into a pot, add a couple inches of water. Keep the steamer insert/basket above the surface of the water. Bring to a boil.
Add the hotdogs to the steamer. Cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 140 degrees (approximately 5 minutes cooking time). They can be measured easily with an instant read thermometer).

How to Cook Hot Dogs in a Slow Cooker/Crock Pot (method for a crowd or party)

This method of how to cook hot dogs is practical for a crowd. It’s great for:

a gathering when you need loads of hot dogs
for a serve yourself buffet allowing guests to help themselves over a period of time (think a football game viewing)
or for tailgating if you have power to plug in the slow cooker

A large quantity of hot dogs may be heated. Up to 48 for a 4-quart slow cooker and 60 for a larger 6 quart slow cooker.

There is a key to success for this method: DO NOT ADD WATER.

The hot dogs will steam in the heat and release moisture as they warm.

Adding water may cause the casings to split releasing the flavorful juices.

Add the desired number of hot dogs for your slow cooker. Stand them upright if possible for even heating . NOTE: ‘extra long’ hot dogs will not be able to stand upright. If laying them horizontally rotate them once or twice during cooking for even heating.
Heat on High for 2 hours or Low for 4 hours

How to Pan Fry Hot Dogs in a Skillet (Pan Steaming)

This method is a combination. The hot dogs are steamed then browned in the pan when the water evaporates.

Very similar to how Pot Stickers are cooked. The benefit is the hot dog heats though but also gets a nice crisping of the outside.

In a large skillet add 1-inch of water and heat to medium-high.
As the water comes to a boil add a few hot dogs leaving plenty of room in the skillet.
Using heatproof tongs roll the hot dogs allowing them to brown on all sides.

Alternatively, butter can be melted in the skillet and the hot dogs may be browned until steamy hot.

How to Cook Hot Dogs in the Oven (Oven Roasting)

Roasting hot dogs in the oven is a wonderful way to develop great flavor similar to grilling them.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Line a rimmed baking sheet or baking pan with foil.
Add the hot dogs to the prepared pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the hot dogs begin to make a sizzling noise.
To crisp up the outside put the hot dogs under the broiler for a few seconds after baking.

How to Roast Hot Dogs over a Campfire (Fire Roasting)

Cooking food outdoors when picnicking or camping is a big part of the fun. How to cook hot dogs over a campfire is one of the simplest methods ever.

I recommend using a telescoping roasting fork. They are designed for over fire cooking of marshmallows or hot dogs and are sturdy.

The telescoping feature ensures you can get the hot dogs over the fire but keep yourself a safe distance away. They usually can roast 2 hot dogs at a time.

The other option for a larger number of hot dogs is using a grilling basket designed for hot dogs and sausages. Multiple hot dogs can be grilled at once.

NOTE: grilling baskets generally do NOT have telescoping handles. If using over an open fire grilling gloves are recommended as the handle heats up.

Build a fire and allow the coals to become orange
Insert the hot dog lengthwise onto the cooking fork (or 3-4 foot long green sharpened stick if you are backpacking)
Turn the hot dog constantly over the fire until it’s fully heated through; approximately 2-4 minutes.

How to Boil Hot Dogs

Boiling works well to heat the hot dog through. However it can drain some of the flavor away and leaves a soggy consistency.

Having said that, hot dogs can be boiled in other liquids besides water for additional flavor. Boiling in beer, or with herbs in the water (like garlic), can enhance the flavor offsetting the flavor dilution from boiling.

Select a sauce pan larger enough to accommodate the number of hot dogs you wish to boil with room.
Fill the pan with water and bring to a rolling boil.
Add the hot dogs and boil for 6 minutes. Drain.

Want to crisp the outside of the boiled hot dog? Quickly pan fry in oil or butter to crisp the outer surface and add more flavor.