Hot dogs are the perfect food.
They’re cheap, easy to store, and can be topped with just about anything.
The problem is, hot dogs also don’t last very long in the fridge and most people don’t want to throw away half a package of hot dogs after only one or two have been eaten.
So what do you do with leftover hot dogs? Here are some ideas for making the most out of your next leftover wiener:
How to store leftover hot dogs
To keep leftover hot dogs and buns from getting soggy, wrap them in foil and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
After that, it’s best to freeze the hot dogs so that they’ll keep longer at room temperature.
You can also freeze them without wrapping them in foil; just make sure to keep them separated from each other with sheets of wax paper or parchment paper so they don’t stick together when you thaw them out again after freezing.
Frozen cooked hot dogs will last for up to 3 months if properly stored—so this method works great if you want some pre-cooked meals ready whenever inspiration strikes!
If you want to keep your hot dogs as fresh as possible, it’s best to store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
They’ll last up to 2 weeks this way before they start to go bad.
11 ideas for leftover hot dogs
Hot dog waffle sandwiches
Waffle sandwiches are easy to make, and they make a great meal or snack if you’re looking for something quick and easy.
Waffle sandwiches can be made with any kind of filling, but the most common fillings include:
- Peanut butter, banana and honey
- Sliced cheese (cheddar or American)
- Bacon bits, avocado slices and shredded lettuce
Top with kimchi and sriracha mayo, crispy potatoes and onions.
To make the kimchi:
- Drain the kimchi of its brine and pat dry.
- Cut the napa cabbage into 2-3 inch strips.
- Boil some water in a pot, then add the cabbage to cook for 5 minutes or so until soft but not falling apart.
- Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
To make sriracha mayo:
- Mix together mayonnaise, Sriracha sauce, lime juice and a pinch of salt until well combined! Set aside for now too!
To make crispy potatoes:
- Heat up peanut oil in a large pan to 350 degrees Fahrenheit/180 Celsius on your oven’s cooking thermometer (if you’re lucky enough to have one).
- Cut three small potatoes into batons (about 3/4 inch wide), toss them with salt and pepper on each side, then fry them up until just golden browned on both sides – about 6-8 minutes total cooking time depending on how hot your oil is running! Drain on paper towels before serving!
Whole-wheat coconut hot dog buns with pineapple salsa
To make your hot dog buns, you’ll need a whole-wheat hot dog bun and some canned pineapple.
You can also use fresh or frozen pineapple, but make sure it’s drained before processing it into the salsa.
First, remove the top part of each bun by pulling up on it with your fingers.
Then cut off about 1/4 inch from each side of the bottom part so that when you put them back together again they’ll fit nicely around your hot dog.
Next put all ingredients in a food processor (or blender) and pulse until combined but still chunky.
Transfer to small serving bowl or jar(s).
You can serve this pineapple salsa with your hot dog buns or use it as a dip for tortilla chips.
It’s also delicious on top of a grilled chicken breast or simply served on its own.
You can use a store-bought crust or homemade dough
You can use a store-bought crust or homemade dough.
If you don’t have time to make dough, you can substitute store-bought pizza dough.
A variety of crusts are available in the grocery store.
Some examples include pre-made pizza shells, ready-to-use piecrusts and biscuits (if you’re really feeling ambitious).
Check out your local bakery for options like focaccia, ciabatta and naan.
If you’re going to make your own dough, it’s best to use a recipe that calls for either bread flour or all-purpose flour.
Whole wheat flour is too heavy and will result in a tough, dense crust.
Slider dogs
Slider dogs are the perfect party-food because they’re easy to make and fun to eat.
The only difference between slider dogs and regular hot dogs is that they’re smaller, which means they can fit in a slider bun.
Slider buns come in packs of four or eight, so you’ll have enough for everyone at your party.
If you want to make your own, use this recipe from Food Network:
Slider buns: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the water, yeast and sugar.
Let sit until foamy and bubbly (about 5 minutes).
Add 1 cup of whole wheat flour and stir until combined.
Then add 1 teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons olive oil; stir again until well combined.
Gradually add more flour until you have a soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl but is still sticky enough to cling slightly when pressed between your fingers.
Hot dog spring rolls
To make the spring rolls, place a hot dog in the center of each wrapper.
Top each with shredded carrots, chopped cilantro, chopped green onions and sriracha mayonnaise.
Gently roll up the wrapper like you would a burrito and seal lightly with your fingers or water.
Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F until golden brown (about 5 minutes).
Serve warm with chili sauce for dipping.
These spring rolls are a great way to use up any leftover hot dogs you have on hand! They also make a great appetizer or snack that’s easy to share with friends and family at parties or game days.
You can also make these spring rolls with your favorite ingredients! Try tuna or chicken instead of hot dogs and top them with things like shredded cheese, diced tomatoes or even caramelized onions.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to making amazing spring rolls at home!
Make your own spring rolls, or use roti skins (they’re thinner)
Spring rolls are usually made with rice noodles, but you can also use roti skins.
They’re thinner than rice noodles, so they make for a lighter spring roll.
If you have leftover hot dogs and want to make your own spring rolls, or even if you just want to use roti skins (they’re thinner) this recipe is for you.
- Use store-bought dough in the freezer section of the grocery store, or homemade gluten-free or whole wheat dough from this recipe .
- Make sure it’s cold before using it to cut out circles (for example: when making ravioli).
- You don’t need special equipment—a pizza cutter works just fine—but if you do have an Asian style rolling pin (like this one), it will help get those sheets of dough nice and flat!
Hot dog burritos with guacamole and pickled jalapeños
If you’re feeling super ambitious, or just want to make the most of your hot dogs, you can make burritos.
Start with a flour tortilla and spread guacamole and pickled jalapeños over half of it.
Then slice your hot dog into 1/2-inch thick pieces, place them in a single layer on top of the avocado-jalapeño mix, roll up your burrito and eat!
Get creative with your hot dogs.
Experiment with different fillings, toppings and tortillas to find combinations that work for you!
If you’re looking to be a little less adventurous with your hot dogs, try one of these simple recipes: Choose a soft tortilla and spread it with cream cheese, hummus or guacamole.
Then add slices of cucumber and tomato for a fresh take on classic grilled cheese.
Or wrap your hot dog in an Italian roll along with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce and pepperoni slices for an easy pizza sandwich!
Put the hot dogs on corn tortillas and top with cheese, chopped lettuce and sour cream.
If you’re looking for a way to use up leftover hot dogs, this recipe is the perfect one.
While it uses a hot dog bun as its base and isn’t technically healthy (because of all that cheese), when it comes down to it, this is probably better for you than eating straight-up leftovers.
You can use any kind of corn tortilla in place of the hot dog bun if you prefer.
They won’t be as crunchy, but they still taste good!
Grilled cheese hot dog sandwich
You can make a grilled cheese hot dog sandwich using leftover hot dogs.
Use a regular hot dog bun and place the hot dogs in a pan.
Top with cheese and then place the pan in the oven until the cheese melts, usually about five minutes or so on 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Top with ketchup and mustard.
Enjoy!
Swap out the cheese for a slice of cheddar and add some caramelized onions
The next time you’re left with some leftover hot dogs, try this simple recipe.
It’s a great way to use up those hot dogs and they’ll taste wonderful with the caramelized onions.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil or butter when the pan is hot enough.
- Add the sliced onions and sauté until they start to soften and brown, about 7 minutes for sliced onions or 10 minutes if using diced ones (you can also cook them until golden brown).
- Remove from heat and set aside in a bowl or on a plate until needed later in the process; don’t skip this step because it really brings out their flavors!
- Cook hot dogs according to package directions (this may take longer depending on how well done you like yours), then place them on top of cooked onions when done so they soak up all that deliciousness while also heating through again as needed – note: covering doesn’t mean boiling so make sure there are no gaps between lid & pot!
- Place cheddar cheese slice over each individual dog before covering again (or use any other kind of cheese such as provolone) & cooking until melted throughly – should take less than 1 minute under broiler but check often just incase yours has different results than ours did 🙂 You can also use slices instead but will have better success if cut into small pieces first since larger ones tend not cook thoroughly before burning edges appear around sides due lack of circulation within microwaves.
Conclusion
While hot dogs are often associated with baseball and backyard barbecues, they can be enjoyed all year long.
Whether you’re looking for something new to do or a delicious alternative to your usual fare, these recipes are sure to satisfy.
We hope that they inspire you to try something new and share it with your friends!
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