Tis the season to grab a bag of hotdogs and buns and head out to the grill. Let’s face it. Nothing makes kids happier than a hot dog OR says summer like a piled-high hot dog. But who needs another cookout basic dog? Not this girl. We can do better than ketchup and yellow mustard.

Elevate your flavor beyond just adding ketchup and mustard by layering your beefy frank with this Ultimate Summer Hot Dog Toppings List! I can hear the sizzle now. Hot diggity dog!

Scroll down for a long list of topping options. Oh, and don’t forget to toast your buns on the grill.

Traditional Coney 

Toppings:

• ketchup
• yellow mustard
• dill pickle spear
• celery salt

Mexican Hot Dog

Toppings:

• Diced jalapeño (remove seeds)
• cheddar cheese
• white onion
• cilantro

Beer Braut with Caramelized Onions

Toppings:

• caramelized white onions
• stone ground mustard

Cooking Instructions:

1. add 2 cups sliced white onions into a pan of 2 T. melted butter
2. add 2 T Worcestershire
3. saute until onions are caramelized

Other toppings ideas:

Memphis Hot Dog

• barbecue sauce
• shredded cheddar cheese
• diced scallions

Fajita Hot Dog

• grilled bell peppers and onions seasoned, coated with fajita seasoning
• shredded Mexican or taco cheese
• dollop sour cream
• dollop guacamole

Chili Cheese Coney

• chili (or sloppy joe mix)
• shredded cheddar cheese
• diced white onion

Cheesy Slaw Hot Dog

• creamy cole slaw
• barbecue sauce
• crushed cheddar rippled chips (awesome crunch!)

Copycat Chick-fil-a Hot Dog 

• oven-baked waffle fries
• copycat Chick-fil-a sauce
  • Sauce: Mix together 1/4 c. mayonnaise, 2 T honey, 2 T barbecue sauce, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp lemon juice. Refrigerate.
  • substitute chicken frank for beef frank, if possible

Hawaiian Hot Dog

• grilled diced pineapple
• grilled diced red onion

Polish Hot Dog

• substitute Polish sausage for beef frank
• sweet Bavarian sauerkraut without caraway seeds
• stone ground mustard

Buffalo Chicken Hot Dog

• substitute a chicken frank for beef frank, if possible
• jarred buffalo sauce
• crumbled blue cheese
• diced celery

I’ll Take Fries With That Hot Dog

• oven fries
• crumbled bacon
• diced scallions

Nach-yo-Typical Hot Dog

• black beans (drained)
• shredded Mexican or taco cheese
• diced jalapeno (remove seeds)
• diced scallions
• crushed nacho cheese Doritos
• dollop sour cream (optional)
• dollop salsa (optional)
• sliced avocado (optional)

Tiny Tot Hot Dog

• baked tater tots
• sliced American cheese
• crumbled bacon

Frito Chili Pie Hot Dog

• chile (or sloppy joe mix)
• shredded cheddar cheese
• Fritos corn chips

Spicy BLT Hot Dog

• bacon-wrapped hot dog
• shredded lettuce
• diced tomato
• sriracha mayo

Mayo Instructions:

1. 2 T. mayo
2. 1 T. Sriracha (mix with mayo until well blended)

East Coast Deli Hot Dog

• pastrami wrapped hot dog
• slice American cheese
• shredded lettuce
• pepperoncini
• sandwich dressing oil (buy it bottled at any grocery store)
• salt and pepper
• parmesan

Caprese Hot Dog

• shredded mozzarella
• diced tomato
• fresh basil leaves
• balsamic vinegar

Denver Hot Dog

• green chile sauce
• diced white onion
• dollop sour cream
• diced jalapeno (optional-remove seeds)

Spicy Korean Hot Dog

• white rice
• pickled kimchi (sold by the jar)
• cilantro

Pizza Hot Dog

• marinara
• pepperoni
• shredded mozzarella
• Italian seasoning

California Hot Dog

• avocado mayonnaise
• cucumber
• sprouts
• shredded carrot

Reuben Hot Dog

• pastrami wrapped hot dog
• sauerkraut
• swiss
• 1000 island dressing

Tex-Mex Hot Dog

• pinto beans
• grilled corn
• avocado
• black olive
• hot sauce or salsa

Thai Hot Dog

• shredded cabbage or slaw mix
• cilantro
• shredded carrot
• lime juice
• jalapeno
• peanut sauce

Philly Hot Dog

• caramelized white onion
• caramelized green peppers
• nacho cheese

Creole Hot Dog

• cooked blackened shrimp
• onion
• green pepper
• celery
• scallions
• roasted tomatoes

BBQ Pulled Pork Hot Dog

• barbecue pulled pork
• creamy slaw

Kids Hot Dog Toppings Ideas:

• Mac-n-Cheese Hot Dog
• Peanut Butter Jelly Hot Dog
• Ham (wrap the hot dog) and Cheese Hot Dog

If you want bonus summer recipe ideas, learn how to prepare campfire hobo dinners or indoor grilled corn.