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Chili Cheese Dogs

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on June 22, 2021

Time

40 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Chili Cheese Dogs

Ingredients

1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef 2 tablespoons chili powder ½ teaspoon table salt ½ teaspoon pepper ¼ cup tomato paste 1 cup water 8 ounces deli American cheese, chopped coarse⅓ cup whole milk ¼ cup chopped jarred hot cherry peppers, plus 1 tablespoon brine8 hot dogs 8 hot dog buns, split¼ cup finely chopped onion

Before You Begin

For the best texture, we recommend using American cheese from the deli counter (not individually wrapped slices).

Instructions

  1.  Combine beef, chili powder, salt, and pepper in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook until paste begins to darken, about 1 minute. Add water and cook until sauce thickens and coats beef, about 4 minutes. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
  2.  Meanwhile, microwave American cheese, milk, and cherry pepper brine in bowl until cheese is fully melted, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover to keep warm.
  3.  Split each hot dog lengthwise, stopping short of cutting completely in half, so dogs are hinged on 1 side. Grill dogs over hot fire until well browned, about 2 minutes per side. Grill buns cut side down until toasted, about 1 minute. Stir cheese sauce to recombine. Divide hot dogs, chili, and cheese sauce evenly among buns. Top with cherry peppers and onion. Serve.
Chili Cheese Dogs

Chili Cheese Dogs

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Time

40 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
2 tablespoons chili powder
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup tomato paste
1 cup water
8 ounces deli American cheese, chopped coarse
⅓ cup whole milk
¼ cup chopped jarred hot cherry peppers, plus 1 tablespoon brine
8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns, split
¼ cup finely chopped onion

Ingredients

1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
2 tablespoons chili powder
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup tomato paste
1 cup water
8 ounces deli American cheese, chopped coarse
⅓ cup whole milk
¼ cup chopped jarred hot cherry peppers, plus 1 tablespoon brine
8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns, split
¼ cup finely chopped onion

Ingredients

1 pound 85 percent lean ground beef
2 tablespoons chili powder
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup tomato paste
1 cup water
8 ounces deli American cheese, chopped coarse
⅓ cup whole milk
¼ cup chopped jarred hot cherry peppers, plus 1 tablespoon brine
8 hot dogs
8 hot dog buns, split
¼ cup finely chopped onion

Why This Recipe Works

Cherry pepper brine added heat and tang to our simple microwave cheese sauce.

Before You Begin

For the best texture, we recommend using American cheese from the deli counter (not individually wrapped slices).

Instructions

  1.  Combine beef, chili powder, salt, and pepper in 12-inch nonstick skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook until paste begins to darken, about 1 minute. Add water and cook until sauce thickens and coats beef, about 4 minutes. Set aside and cover to keep warm.
  2.  Meanwhile, microwave American cheese, milk, and cherry pepper brine in bowl until cheese is fully melted, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cover to keep warm.
  3.  Split each hot dog lengthwise, stopping short of cutting completely in half, so dogs are hinged on 1 side. Grill dogs over hot fire until well browned, about 2 minutes per side. Grill buns cut side down until toasted, about 1 minute. Stir cheese sauce to recombine. Divide hot dogs, chili, and cheese sauce evenly among buns. Top with cherry peppers and onion. Serve.

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