Hot dogs are an all-American classic, and since barbecue season is upon us, you're going to be seeing and eating them a lot more often. Sometimes a simple hot dog with the usual hot dog toppings — ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut — hits the spot, and you don't need anything more. And then there are the times when you want to be adventurous with your food and try something different. That's where these insane hot dog toppings come in.
As I found out while putting this list together, people will literally put anything on a hot dog and eat it. I mean, some of these are at the point where the hot dog is just a vessel for the delicious food items piled high on top of it. You would think that some of these things wouldn't go with a hot dog, but you would be wrong — very, very wrong.
These hot dog toppings are so crazy that even if you don't particularly love hot dogs, you're going to be intrigued enough to try at least one. And then you're going to be so into these gourmet, complicated hot dogs that you're going to start serving them to everyone who comes over for a barbecue, and you'll basically be the BBQ queen. These things look that good. Want to try something new this summer? Check out these 21 interesting hot dog toppings:
1. Doritos, Pulled Pork, BBQ Sauce, and Bacon
This hot dog was rolled in Doritos, deep fried, and then topped with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and bacon, and then stuck in a pretzel bun. WHAT.
2. Jalapeno Cream Cheese and Black Bean Salsa
Add a little spice with the jalapeno cream cheese, add some sweetness with the salsa, and you have the best of both worlds.
3. Fried Egg, Arugula, Guacamole, Garlic Aioli, and Blue Cheese
This is like a breakfast hot dog, and I will never judge you if you eat it in the morning.
4. Mac and Cheese
Is there anything mac and cheese DOESN'T go with?
5. Mango Salsa
Mango salsa is delicious enough to be put on everything, even a hot dog. So summery!
6. Arugula Pesto and Caramelized Onions
Ummm... who knew pesto on a hot dog could look so incredible?!
7. Caramel Popcorn
Caramel popcorn. On a hot dog. With cheese and bacon. This is a thing that happened.
8. Corn Chutney
This chutney includes celery, tomatoes, honeydew melon, and dill. You'll want to eat it even without the hot dog.
9. Ramen Noodles
Who needs a bun when you could wrap your hot dog in ramen noodles?
10. Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Onions
This is just weird enough where you HAVE to try it to see how it is.
11. Celery and Blue Cheese
It's basically like eating wings, except you're not eating wings, you're eating a hot dog.
12. Crushed Salt and Pepper Potato Chips
It's basically a known fact that potato chips make everything better.
13. Cheese, Marinara, Basil, and Pepperoni
Who says you have to choose between pizza and a hot dog? Not us!
14. Pastrami and Swiss Cheese
While we're at it, who says you have to choose between a reuben and a hot dog?
15. Fried Onions and Pickled Cucumber
It's really something when fried onions and pickles are the most normal hot dog toppings on a list.
16. Muenster Cheese, Mayo, Bacon, and Avocado
Of course avocado makes a good hot dog topping!
17. Cream Cheese, Jalapeno, and Bacon
It's basically like a jalapeno popper on a hot dog wrapped in a bun.
18. Bacon, Fried Onions, and Potato Salad
I mean, you're going to be eating potato salad anyway, so you might as well put it on your hot dog instead of next to it.
19. Poutine
French fries, cheese curds, gravy, and a hot dog. All you need for a perfect summer meal.
20. French Fries
Or you could just wrap your hot dog in French fries and leave it at that.
21. BBQ Sauce, Cole Slaw, and Tater Tots
Tater tots make EVERYTHING better. Everything.
Image: jeffreyw/Flickr
