Quick to prepare and loved by kids and adults alike, hot dogs are a go-to meal every time of the year. However, it’s not always easy to come up with creative sides to accompany this American classic.
While Coleman Natural uncured all-beef hot dogs are tasty on their own, pairing them with a few side dishes will help you create a well-balanced meal. We’re going to cover some classic picnic sides, as well as a few inventive dishes that will keep your hot dog meals interesting.
8 Best Hot Dog Side Dishes
Whether you’re looking for a refreshing option to accompany grilled hot dogs or a quick side to round out a weeknight meal, you can find a dish that fits the bill. Here are eight side dishes that pair particularly well with savory hot dogs.
1. Potato Salad
Whether you like your potato salad with mayo, vinegar, or sour cream, there’s no denying that potato salad and hot dogs are a tried-and-true combination.
One of the best things about potatoes is that they’re almost as versatile as hot dogs. Both foods lend themselves well to boiling, grilling, sautéing, and roasting, so you can cook your potatoes and hot dogs using the same techniques.
To step away from traditional picnic potato salads, which tend to be mayonnaise-based, try a German potato salad with vinegar, dijon mustard, and all-natural bacon. Another inventive option is Fingerling Potato Salad with Grilled Asparagus and Kielbasa. After grilling the asparagus and kielbasa, you can assemble the salad and grill your hot dogs.
2. Baked Beans
Whether you eat them together as the classic “franks and beans” or as two separate dishes, baked beans and hot dogs make an excellent pair.
If you opt for canned baked beans, try adding in a bit of leftover bacon or ham for a boost of extra flavor. However, if you have the time, there’s nothing quite like a pot of homemade beans. Our recipe for Slow Cooker Beans with Kielbasa requires only ten minutes of prep time, yet the result tastes like you spent all afternoon in front of the stove.
3. Pasta Salad
Since many pasta salads get even better after the flavors meld for a day or two, they’re a fantastic side dish to make ahead of time.
Making pasta salad is as easy as picking your favorite pasta shape, mix-ins, and salad dressing. Once you have your ingredients, all that’s left to do is combine them together. If you’d rather remove any guesswork and follow a predetermined recipe, try out this Kielbasa Pasta Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing.
4. Coleslaw
The tang and crunch of coleslaw offers a nice contrast to a hot dog’s savory flavor and meaty texture. While most of the country enjoys coleslaw as a hot dog side dish, you can take a note from the South and put it on top of your hot dogs.
When it comes time to make coleslaw, you have lots of options. If you’re looking for the perfect combination of creamy, tart, and sweet, you can’t go wrong with this creamy coleslaw from Giveaway Bandit. However, don’t be afraid to try out something new! Add shredded apple to your cabbage for some sweetness, or mix in diced chilies for a bit of heat.
5. Fruit Salad
If the weather is hot enough to keep you out of the kitchen, you’ll appreciate a chilled fruit salad. The light and refreshing sweetness pairs well with a hot dog’s heartiness.
While you’re grilling hot dogs, have someone else in your household cut up seasonal fruit like watermelon, grapes, strawberries, and oranges. For a twist on a traditional fruit salad, try grilling the fruits before combining them. Pineapple, peaches, plums, and pears all caramelize nicely on the grill.
Another option is to combine sweet and tangy mangoes with crunchy cucumbers in a refreshing mango cucumber salad from Her Life On Purpose.
6. Chili
A well-seasoned bowl of chili works well as a hot dog side dish or topping.
Canned chili saves the day when you’re crunched for time, and homemade chili is ideal if you want to fill your home with a spicy scent. If you’re opting for homemade, try popping everything in a crock pot to save time without compromising on flavor.
While ground beef chili is a popular option, you can also try chili made from ground pork or beans. If you find you have leftover chili and hot dogs, grab some pitas and try out these Chili Cheese Dog Pockets.
7. French Fries
It’s hard to argue with the all-American pairing of French fries and hot dogs. The crispness of the fries coupled with the soft, meaty texture of hot dogs is a beloved treat for many.
The hard part is deciding whether you want shoestring, waffle, crinkle cut, or curly fries! Or maybe you want to try out something new. For a twist on classic French fries, swap out potatoes for sweet potatoes. To take this side dish the extra mile, wrap those sweet potatoes in bacon and crisp them in an air fryer.
8. Vegetable Salads
If you’re eating hot dogs as part of a keto diet, you’re probably looking for low-carb sides. Pairing vegetables like lettuce and broccoli with cheese and a simple vinegar and oil dressing allows you to follow your keto plan.
Even if you’re not following a specific diet, the crunch of fresh vegetables provides a nice contrast to hot dogs. Cesar salads and Greek salads are tried and true favorites, but don’t be afraid to try creative combinations like Brussels Sprouts and Bacon.
Choose All-Natural Hot Dogs for Your Next Meal
When hot dogs are the center of your meal, you don’t want to skimp on quality. Coleman Natural uncured, 100% beef hot dogs are made from high-quality beef sourced from American family farms that never use added hormones or antibiotics.
Pair our all-natural hot dogs with one of the sides listed above, and you’ll have a delicious meal everyone can enjoy.
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