1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Hot Dog Chili Crockpot

Hot Dog Chili Crockpot

Featured in Set-It and Forget-It Meals.

This hassle-free crockpot chili is made for topping hot dogs or other favorites. Using lean beef and simple ingredients, it’s the right texture for serving.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Aisha
Updated on Thu, 20 Mar 2025 01:14:19 GMT
Two hot dogs smothered in chili and garnished with onions and herbs, paired with fries. Pin it
Two hot dogs smothered in chili and garnished with onions and herbs, paired with fries. | cookingflavor.com

Quick Homecooked Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili

I'm excited to pass along this no-fuss hot dog topping that's become my crowd-pleasing favorite. Chuck everything into your slow cooker and it'll transform into the tastiest sauce for hot dogs, hamburgers or even french fries. I've whipped up this simple chili countless times and guests always ask for seconds. The greatest thing? Your crockpot handles all the cooking while you hang out with your nearest and dearest.

What Makes This Simple Recipe So Great

This straightforward homemade chili stands out because:

  • It gets more flavorful as it cooks away in your slow cooker
  • You can top hot dogs, hamburgers or load up some tortilla chips with it
  • The prep work takes just a handful of minutes
  • It's ideal for big gatherings, sports events or backyard cookouts

Basic Ingredients for Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili

  • Ground Beef: Go with leaner meat for tasty chili that isn't swimming in fat.
  • Tomato Sauce: Forms the smooth, pourable base we need.
  • Ketchup & Mustard: These kitchen staples pack tons of flavor.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: A tiny bit adds incredible depth.
  • Chili Powder: Brings that signature warmth to our basic chili.
  • Onion: Fresh chopped or powder both work great.

Simple Cooking Instructions

Getting That Ideal Ground Beef Texture
Begin by placing fresh ground beef in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Add a little water around 2 tablespoons which helps crumble the meat into tiny bits perfect for hot dog topping. Break everything apart with a wooden spoon or use a potato masher for even smaller pieces. Keep cooking until you don't see any pink spots, usually 8-10 minutes.
Loading Your Slow Cooker
Dump your cooked beef straight into the crockpot no need to drain since those juices carry flavor. Now for the fun stuff add tomato sauce, ketchup, mustard, and your spice blend. I typically mix in chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of cumin. Stir until everything looks well-mixed. Sample a tiny bit and tweak the seasonings to your liking.
Patience Pays Off
Put the lid on your crockpot and choose the LOW setting. Now let time work its magic for 2-3 hours, giving it a stir now and then. You'll watch the sauce develop a richer color and thicken up while amazing smells fill your kitchen. If it looks too thick, splash in some beef broth until it's just right.
Making The Perfect Chili Dog
The finished chili should stick to a spoon but still be easy to pour. Get your hot dogs and buns nice and warm. Spoon plenty of your homemade chili over each dog. Then comes the fun part add some finely chopped onions, grated cheddar that will melt from the hot chili, and maybe some fresh jalapeños if you want a kick. Every mouthful should be packed with different flavors.
Party-Ready Setup
For gatherings, keep the chili warm in your crockpot on the LOW setting. Create a toppings bar with bowls of grated cheese, diced onions, jalapeños, and perhaps some crumbled bacon. Let your guests build their own custom chili dogs. Make sure you've got plenty of napkins these get messy but that's half the fun!

Tricks for Better Results

  • Choose Your Meat: An 85/15 ground beef keeps your simple chili from pooling oil.
  • Watch Your Consistency: Stir in extra liquid if it gets too thick it should pour nicely over dogs.
  • Making It Finer: Don't skip the potato masher trick for getting those tiny meat pieces.
A close-up of a chili cheese hot dog topped with diced onions, mustard, and parsley, served alongside a portion of French fries. Pin it
A close-up of a chili cheese hot dog topped with diced onions, mustard, and parsley, served alongside a portion of French fries. | cookingflavor.com

Storing Your Leftovers

This homemade topping stays good in your fridge for around 4 days. When you want some more just heat it up on the stovetop or pop it in the microwave adding a splash of water if it seems too thick.

Ideal for Casual Gatherings

This basic homemade chili makes hosting so much easier. Create a build-your-own hot dog station with different toppings and watch everyone make their unique creations. Throw in some easy sides like coleslaw and potato salad and you've got a laid-back meal that nobody can resist.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why pick lean beef?

It cuts down grease, giving the chili a better texture for toppings.

→ What’s the point of adding water with beef?

It makes breaking the meat into tiny pieces easier for topping perfection.

→ Can I cook this on the stove?

Sure, let it simmer for 20-30 minutes instead of using the crockpot.

→ How long does it stay fresh?

You can keep it in the fridge for up to four days if stored in an airtight container.

→ Can I freeze leftover chili?

Definitely, it’ll last up to three months in a sealed container in the freezer.

Hot Dog Chili Crockpot

This flavorful crockpot chili works perfectly as a topping for hot dogs, fries, or burgers. Ideal for gatherings and sports days.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
180 Minutes
Total Time
190 Minutes
By: Aicha


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1/3 cup water.
02 5 ounces of tomato sauce.
03 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.
04 1 pound of lean ground beef (90/10).
05 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
06 2 teaspoons of chili powder.
07 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
08 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
09 1/2 cup of ketchup.
10 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard.
11 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Instructions

Step 01

Add the ground beef and water to a skillet heated to medium.

Step 02

While cooking, crumble the ground beef into very fine bits.

Step 03

Pour off any extra grease or water once the beef is done.

Step 04

Move the crumbled beef to your slow cooker.

Step 05

Pour the tomato sauce and ketchup over the beef in the slow cooker.

Step 06

Mix in yellow mustard and Worcestershire sauce until everything combines well.

Step 07

Sprinkle in chili powder, salt, pepper, sugar, and onion powder.

Step 08

Give the mixture a thorough stir so everything's fully blended.

Step 09

Put the lid on, then set the slow cooker to LOW.

Step 10

Leave it for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, letting all the flavors come together.

Step 11

Stir every now and then while it cooks if you can.

Step 12

If it looks too thick, add a bit of water and stir to thin it out before serving.

Step 13

Leave it in the slow cooker on warm until it's time to eat.

Step 14

Put any extras in a sealed container in the fridge.

Step 15

Reheat servings as needed, adding a little water if the mixture has thickened too much.

Notes

  1. Awesome for gatherings.
  2. Prepares ahead easily.
  3. Ideal for topping other dishes.
  4. Keeps fresh nicely.

Tools You'll Need

  • A slow cooker.
  • A medium-sized skillet.
  • Measuring spoons to measure ingredients.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • None present.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 171
  • Total Fat: 12 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6 g
  • Protein: 10 g