Hot Dog Chili Recipe (for Chili Dogs)
Recipe: https://recipestripper.com/recipes/bafbfcb9-dffe-44b3-b8f4-81b430d62b63
Original source: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/hot-dog-chili/
Recipe image: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Hot-Dog-Chili-Recipe-SQ.jpg

Smooth, beanless hot dog chili made for chili dogs. Ground beef simmers with tomato sauce, ketchup, and classic spices into a rich, spoonable chili sauce, with easy options for extra thickness and spicy heat.
Yield: 16
Prep time: PT10M
Cook time: PT45M

Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 preferred)
- 1 1/2 cups water or beef broth (plus more as needed)
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked optional)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or 2 teaspoons white sugar)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons fine yellow cornmeal (optional, for extra thickening)
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (smoky heat)

Instructions
1. Add ground beef to a large pot over medium-high heat. Pour in 1 cup of the water/broth. Cook, stirring constantly and breaking the beef up into very fine crumbles with a spoon or potato masher, until no longer pink (6-8 minutes).
2. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional heat upgrades (cayenne, hot sauce). Stir until well combined.
3. Add the remaining 1/2 cup water/broth (or enough to make it loose but not soupy). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add splashes of liquid if it tightens up too much before the flavors meld.
4. To thicken, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon cornmeal, stir well, simmer 5 minutes. Add another tablespoon if needed.
5. Mash again at the end, or pulse with an immersion blender 2-3 quick times for extra-smooth chili sauce.
6. Taste and adjust salt, sweetness, and heat. Serve hot.
7. [Serving (Chili Dogs)] Spoon over hot dogs in buns. Top with diced onion, shredded cheddar, and/or yellow mustard for a coney-style vibe.