Add a fun spin to your next cookout and set up a delicious hot dog bar. Hot dogs can be basic, but not when you put out pretty accessories, fun toppings and let your guests get creative. If you’re cooking for a crowd, it’s an affordable way to be the hostess with the mostess.
1. The Setup
Shop Accordingly: Plan on guests having at least 2 hot dogs per person (3, if you’re friends are ex-football or basketball players). Look for all-natural beef hot dogs.Prep: Make sure to prepare the hot dogs before guests arrive. Grilling is the easiest way since you can cook a lot at once. Also, place hot dogs in the buns rather than having the hot dogs and buns on separate platters. Not only will it save space on the table, it will let guests grab and go rather than holding up the line.
2. Condiments
Get Creative: Mustard and ketchup are classic, but why limit things? Set out other things like Sriracha, Thousand Island dressing, barbecue sauce or your own secret sauce… get creative. To make things fun, put them in squeeze bottles. These classic diner squirt bottles are adorable. Or, use squirt bottles with labels and you can write yourself what’s inside.
Classic Diner Squirt Bottles
Squirt Bottles with Labels
3. Pick the Toppings
Choose a Theme: Too many choices and your guests may become overwhelmed. When deciding what to serve, come up with a few themes and put out toppings accordingly. If you’re looking for inspiration, checkout our fun Hot Dogs Across the States Food Bite.Smaller is Better: When chopping and thinking about toppings, keep things bite size.
Topping Ideas: Basic toppings like cheese, diced onion, sauerkraut or chili are tasty. But think out of the box too. Items like guacamole, pickle spears, bacon bits, jalapenos, hot peppers, or corn chips would be fun. If you wanted to list the toppings, write them on these adorable mini erasable chalkboards.
Black Mini Erasable Chalkboards
Keep Things Chill: Don’t worry about toppings going bad in the warm sun. Put everything in small bowls. Then place the smaller bowls in a bigger bowl filled with ice. Want an easier option? Check out this chilled condiment server… we’re sure you’ll find other uses after the cookout (drinks anyone?).
Chilled Condiment Server
4. Let’s Eat!
Go Beyond the Paper Plate: We’re not saying to just grab a hot dog let the topping drip all over. Put out old-school baskets that you’d find in a 1950’s diner or at the county fair. We found these sandwich and fry baskets and checkered food grade tissue paper on Amazon. How adorable are they? Things seem to taste better when they’re packaged in pretty things. Are we right?
Sandwich & Fry Basket Set, 9″
Red and White Checkered Food Grade Tissue Paper