hot dog varieties on blue checkered platter   Credit: Pernille Loof

` Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo View Series Planning a Picnic? Here’s How to Pull It Off Smoothly, From Packing Your Tote to Choosing the Perfect Location What to Cook on the Grill This Father’s Day Make Mom Lunch Not Brunch with Our Marvelous Mostly Make-Ahead Menu Mother’s Day Baking Projects You and Your Mom Can Tackle Together

hot dog varieties on blue checkered platter   Credit: Pernille Loof

hot dog varieties on blue checkered platter Credit: Pernille Loof

hot dog varieties on blue checkered platter

Credit: Pernille Loof

They’re one of the most versatile and easy to prepare foods out there: Hot dogs can be baked, boiled, broiled, and even roasted on a stick over a fiery flame. For that reason, you might be thinking to yourself, “don’t I already know how to cook a hot dog?” The thing is, just because you can cook a hot dog doesn’t mean you know how to cook one perfectly.

When it comes to the Fourth of July, the otherwise humble hot dog becomes the star of the show. As it turns out, there is actually a correct way to grill one to perfection. Whether you like to dress yours up with relish and grilled onions or prefer a simple streak of ketchup, you need to start with a perfectly cooked dog. With a little practice, you’ll have the technique down pat and can easily use it for your future cookouts. What’s more, this techniques works with all of you favorite hot dogs, whether they are vegan or all-beef iterations.

First things first: Let’s talk about what makes a perfectly grilled hot dog. In our eyes, it should be cooked thoroughly with a glistening, golden crust. The experts at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs agree. They recommend setting one side of the grill to hot and the other side of the grill to warm (if you’re working with a charcoal grill, just pay attention to the grills natural hot and cool spots.) Start by cooking the dogs on the cooler side, which ensures that they heat thoroughly without burning on the outside. Once they’ve plumped up, transfer them to the hot section of the grill to achieve the perfectly deep, golden brown color they’re famous for. If you like your hot dogs with a bit more char, feel free to leave them on the hot part of the grill longer to achieve grill marks or get a crispy crust.

Once the dogs are plump and golden, take them off the grill and put them directly on a bun (we like ours toasted). Next, dress yours up with your favorite toppings. Once you’ve topped them exactly as you like, you’ll officially have the perfectly grilled hot dog—they’re the perfect centerpiece for Fourth of July feast.

` Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo View Series Planning a Picnic? Here’s How to Pull It Off Smoothly, From Packing Your Tote to Choosing the Perfect Location What to Cook on the Grill This Father’s Day Make Mom Lunch Not Brunch with Our Marvelous Mostly Make-Ahead Menu Mother’s Day Baking Projects You and Your Mom Can Tackle Together

` Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo View Series

  • Planning a Picnic? Here’s How to Pull It Off Smoothly, From Packing Your Tote to Choosing the Perfect Location What to Cook on the Grill This Father’s Day Make Mom Lunch Not Brunch with Our Marvelous Mostly Make-Ahead Menu Mother’s Day Baking Projects You and Your Mom Can Tackle Together

    Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo View Series

    Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo

View Series

Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo

Mastering the Holiday Meal Franchise Logo