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South Carolina Hot Dog Chili Recipe

Sweet, Tangy, Meaty and the perfect mix of spices to light up a South Carolina barbecue (or any state, really!). Add some mustard, onions and slaw and you’ll be having this South Carolina Hot Dog Chili Recipe “ALL THE WAY”. You can make it at home so easily, I’ll show you how! 

hot dog in bun with hot dog chili on top

 

Why This Recipe Works

  • Easy
  • The finely broken meat accentuates the hot dog perfectly!
  • You have everything you need in the pantry to make this right now. 

Here’s How It’s Done

STEP 1. 

Brown the ground beef and break it up fine. 

ground beef in a frying pan with a potato masher

STEP 2. 

Add the other ingredients.

browned hamburger with other ingredients and wooden spoon

STEP 3. 

Mix well and allow to cook on the stove for a while to meld the flavors. 

spoon mixing ground beef and other ingredients in pan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

What Is Hot Dog Chili Made Of? 

You could make hot dog chili all kinds of ways, but in this case, we use fresh ground beef, tomato paste, ketchup, herbs and spices, Worcestershire sauce and a couple of secret ingredients I share in the recipe!

While you are trying out chili recipes, you might want to try this Best Sweet Amish Chili Soup Recipe (Country Dinner)

What Is a Carolina Hot Dog? 

A Carolina Hot Dog always includes a delicious beef chili, a tangy coleslaw and usually some other condiments like mustard. 

What’s The Best Secret Ingredient for Hot Dog Chili? 

You’ll want to have a bevy of ingredients to make your hot dog chili special, but the secret ingredient for mine? Fish Sauce (just a tiny bit) and a dash of apple cider vinegar. 

Can I Freeze This South Carolina Hot Dog Chili Recipe? 

Yes! Absolutely. If you end up with more than you can use, simply freeze the rest. 

  1. Place it into a freezer bag.
  2. Squeeze out as much air as possible.
  3. Freeze for up to 3 months. 

How Long Does This Chili Last? 

  • It will last for 5 days if kept covered in the fridge. 
  • Do not allow it to sit out for more than 2 hours. 

Can I Make This Ahead?

Sure you can! It is even BETTER on day two! I encourage you to make it ahead. 

What Kind Of Hot Dogs Should I Use? 

I always recommend one of the following: 

  • Nathans
  • Ball Park All Beef Hot Dogs (get the bun length ones)

For fun, try some of the brats that are available and the flavored ones too! YUM! Or try our Pigs in a Blanket with Lil Smokies!

Can I Make This In The Crockpot? 

Yes, mix up exactly as described and then put into the crockpot, set on low and serve in 2-8 hours. 

brown crock type bowl on wooden board filled with south carolina hot dog chili recipe

Tips and Tricks For South Carolina Hot Dog Chili Recipe

  • You will definitely want the ground beef broken up very fine. You CAN do this by continually chopping the meat while it is browning, but that isn’t any fun! Instead, just use a potato masher and give it a couple of whacks with that. You’ll be done with that job in a matter of minutes. 
  • Think about if you like for your hot dog chili to have a sweet tang to it? If so, use a little more brown sugar, if not, use less. Remember that the ketchup already has sugar in it and will add some sweetness to the dish. 
  • One thing that I never enjoy about canned hot dog chili is that the meat tastes overcooked usually (probably because it is). Don’t do that to your own hot dog chili! Instead, only brown it until most of the pink is gone. The meat will finish cooking as you add the other ingredients and won’t over cook that way. 
  • Of course, if you prefer to use fresh garlic or onions, that works fine here. I’m writing this recipe while we have a world wide demic happening and don’t have those ingredients available to me at the moment. The powders work just fine. 
  • Follow the basic ingredients list and if the final chili is thicker than you want, add a little extra broth (like ¼ C at a time) to thin it to the desired consistency.
  • Want to know where to find the best hot dogs in SC? Check this article out. 

PRO TIP: The fish sauce and the cider vinegar in this recipe really are the secret ingredients! You should try to add them if you can. You won’t taste fish because of the fish sauce, it simply adds umami and THAT is a flavor you want!

If You Enjoyed This Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy…

How to Boil a Hot Dog

Party Chili

Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs

How to Microwave a Hot Dog

Quick Easy Chili

Hey, Would You Do Me A Favor? 

Please leave a 5 STAR comment in the comments section below. That helps others to find the recipes at Loaves and Dishes.

hot dog in bun with hot dog chili on top

South Carolina Hot Dog Chili Recipe

Sweet, Tangy, Meaty and the perfect mix of spices to light up a South Carolina barbecue (or any state, really!). Add some mustard, onions and slaw and you’ll be having this South Carolina Hot Dog Chili Recipe “ALL THE WAY”. You can make it at home so easily, I’ll show you how!
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: south carolina hot dog chili recipe
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 142kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbs vegetable oil olive oil works too
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • cup broth
  • 4 oz tomato paste
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 2 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbs Worcestershire
  • 1 Tbs fish sauce
  • 1 Tbs cider vinegar

Instructions

  • In a large skillet on the stovetop over medium heat, pour the oil into the pan (if your ground beef is very lean, if it isn’t, you can skip the oil part). Break up the ground beef as you remove it from the package into the pan with your fingers. Cook ground beef till just past pink breaking it into fine pieces with a potato masher.
  • Once the beef is just past pink, add all of the other ingredients and stir well. You can serve this immediately, but the flavor will deepen if you allow it to simmer for just a bit. This may mean that you need to add a little more of the stock to loosen the consistency.
  • Serve over grilled quality hot dogs with toasted buns.

Notes

  • You will definitely want the ground beef broken up very fine. You CAN do this by continually chopping the meat while it is browning, but that isn’t any fun! Instead, just use a potato masher and give it a couple of whacks with that. You’ll be done with that job in a matter of minutes.
  • Think about if you like for your hot dog chili to have a sweet tang to it? If so, use a little more brown sugar, if not, use less. Remember that the ketchup already has sugar in it and will add some sweetness to the dish.
  • One thing that I never enjoy about canned hot dog chili is that the meat tastes overcooked usually (probably because it is). Don’t do that to your own hot dog chili!
  • Instead, only brown it until most of the pink is gone. The meat will finish cooking as you add the other ingredients and won’t over cook that way.
  • Of course, if you prefer to use fresh garlic or onions, that works fine here. I’m writing this recipe while we have a world wide demic happening and don’t have those ingredients available to me at the moment. The powders work just fine.
  • Follow the basic ingredients list and if the final chili is thicker than you want, add a little extra broth (like ¼ C at a time) to thin it to the desired consistency.
PRO TIP: The fish sauce and the cider vinegar in this recipe really are the secret ingredients! You should try to add them if you can. You won’t taste fish because of the fish sauce, it simply adds umami and THAT is a flavor you want!

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
South Carolina Hot Dog Chili Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 142 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Cholesterol 27mg9%
Sodium 453mg19%
Potassium 264mg8%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 7g14%
Vitamin A 343IU7%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 16mg2%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

I’ve been enthralled with the book of James lately. I need to do a better job with tightening the reign over my tongue. Says so right here. 

James 1: 26-27

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




kim

Tuesday 22nd of March 2022

I am a South Carolinian and I can attest to the deliciousness of this hot dog chili. Thanks.

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 13th of April 2022

Thanks Kim!

Austin

Sunday 1st of August 2021

I made these for my family back in California after falling in love with cookout style chili dogs while I was stationed in Charleston and this recipe along with a Carolina slaw recipe I found recreated the taste I was craving perfectly! Everybody loved them and I’ll definitely be using this recipe many more times at my next duty station

Wendi Spraker

Monday 2nd of August 2021

Hey Austin, So glad you were able to treat family and friends to our southern hot dogs. All the best to you!

Doug DuCap

Tuesday 8th of June 2021

Hi Wendi! Found your recipe when I was looking online for my own 'Charleston Chili' recipe -- I misplaced it on my drive and it was just easier to find on the Internet! This looks exciting -- I'm a huge hot dog fan (you're so right about Nathan's) and especially Carolina style dogs. The fishsauce idea is brilliant! It adds such depth and complexity to a dish without being "fishy". Can't wait to take this for a test drive! FYI, in case you are wondering, here's the recipe I was looking for:) post and courier winning chili recipe.

Wendi Spraker

Tuesday 8th of June 2021

Hi Doug, Thanks so much for the comment. I hope you enjoy the hot dog chili. I love hot dogs too!

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 9th of July 2020

aggregate ratings test

Virginia Thombs

Friday 3rd of July 2020

I didn’t see the stars! I added them. 💕

Wendi Spraker

Friday 3rd of July 2020

OHHHH! Thank you so much!

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