How To Boil Hot Dogs

Hot Dogs are relatively easier to prepare than other snacks. They require simple ingredients that are easily available in everyone's kitchen. The meats to be included in the hot dogs are chopped into small pieces to make it a fine texture.

It is better to use the fresh options available rather than the frozen items. Some of the major ingredients to be used to boil dogs have been highlighted here.

Hot Dogs

To boil hot dogs, the first and the most important ingredient that we require is hot dogs. The preferred type should be chosen such as chicken, beef, buff, and turkey. Select hot dogs based on the sizes you are planning to make. The machine may not grind the bone. So, remove it by yourself, or else it will be a disaster if people have dysphagia. 

Boiled hot dogs increase the flavor and smoothness. The hot dogs remain tender and they contain fewer additives than the grilled ones. So, these hot dogs are more healthy.

Water 

Water is available in every food and it is widely used to cook different food items. If the hot dogs are frozen then they require more time to get soft. So, they should be boiled for a longer time than other hot dogs. They should be boiled for around 9 to 10 minutes. 

Water provides a neutral base for cooking and ensures that the dot dogs remain moist. This helps to digest the food easily. The water should cover the hot dogs in the bowl so they are cooked evenly.

Mustard Seeds

Mustard is essential to enhance flavor in hot dogs. It is a condiment which is very low in calories. It is also low in fats, and adding this in the right way makes the hot dogs yummy and healthy. Mustard seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that help in reducing oxidative stress. 

Mustard adds the subtle heat that complements the taste of hot dogs. This provides some extra texture and moistness to the hot dogs.

Aromatics

Aromatics act as the foundation to increase the flavor of the dish. They are important for boiling hot dogs as they redefine the flavor with their fragrance and natural touch. Common aromatics in boiling hot dogs include garlic cloves, onion slices, bay leaves, and peppercorns. 

Bay leaves add aromatic flavor while onions and garlic cloves add flavor to the water. They add some savory flavor and make the dish fresh and healthy.

Vegetables

The fresh vegetables add the flavor to the hot dogs. Other than garlic and onions, vegetables like carrots and celery can be used while boiling hot dogs. Carrots provide a slightly sweet flavor and a natural color while celery gives a fresh herbal touch.

Beets are also used sometimes according to the taste to add a natural red color. The use of wheat gluten while boiling gives a chewy texture.

The vegetables give additional flavor and make the food more tasty. They are added to reduce the salty taste of hot dogs while boiling as they balance the food with their natural taste and earthiness. 

Preservatives (Additional Ingredient)

Sometimes the additional preservatives can be used to remove bacteria and other germs while boiling. The curing agents and preseratives such as sodium nitrite help to remove the bacteria and preserve the natural color of hot dogs.

Similarly, the use of ascorbic acids to the Vitamin C is added to give a fresh touch to boiled hot dogs.

The equipment used to boil hot dogs has been listed here.

• Cooking Vessel: Depending on the amount of hot dogs to prepare, a medium to large pot can be used to boil hot dogs. The enough water should be there to cover them which ensures that the hot dogs are cooked evenly.
• Spoons: Utensils such as slotted spoons or tongs should be used to place and remove the hot dogs while boiling. This ensures the safety of hands as they are hot to handle.
• Chopping Board and Knife: They are a must to have in the kitchen as fruits, vegetables, and other everyday food items are to be chopped. Chopping boards and knives are required here to cut the vegetables and to prepare aromatics.
• Liquid Measure: Measuring spoons or measuring cups are required to pour the right amount of water into the vessel or to add the right amount of aromatics and seasonings like pepper and salt.
• Heat Source: A hot dog steamer can be used to make them faster. To keep a consistent cooking temperature while boiling, a stove and a burner can be used.
• Timer: The hot dogs shouldn't be over or undercooked. It doesn't make the food tasty. So, the timer can be used to track the right time of boiling. They maintain a consistent boiling temperature. With the right equipment and the right methods, hot dogs can be boiled properly.

Ingredients 

• Hot Dogs: Normally as many as needed based on the amount of hot dogs that are going to be prepared. Here, let us assume there are 8 hot dogs.
• Water: Approximately 4 cups of water is required to boil 8 hot dogs. The water should be enough to cover all the hot dogs in the vessel.
• Salt: Usually one teaspoon or according to the taste.
• Aromatics (Optional):
• Onion: One-peeled medium size.
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves
• Carrot: One medium size, chopped into pieces.
• Bay Leaves: Usually 2 leaves
• Peppercorn: 1 teaspoon

Instructions

1. Prepare the Hot Dogs 

• Unwrap: The first step is to remove the packaging. Remove the hot dogs from the sealed packaging and take out the hot dogs.
• Rinse: It is important to remove the dirt. So, rinse the hot dogs in cold water to remove any dirt from the packaging. People can skip this step if they don't feel like rinsing pre-cooked hot dogs.
• Pat Dry: If you rinse them, pat the hot dogs with paper towels. This prevents splashing when they are placed in the boiled water.
• Seasoning: Season the hot dogs with salt and pepper according to the requirement.

2. Prepare the Pot: 

• Select the medium to large pot that is required to boil hot dogs based on the quantities that are to be boiled. But it is to be ensured that there is enough water to cover the hot dogs in the bowl.
• Approximately for 8 hot dogs, 4 to 5 cups of water is required. 

3. Boil Water

• Place the water pot on the stove and turn on the heat. Boil water on a high flame.
• Allow the water to boil completely where the hot dogs should be cooked properly. This might take 5 to 10 minutes.
• Additional vitamin C and other flavors can be added if required.
• Season the water with aromatics such as pepper, bay leaf, and other items to enhance the texture.   

4. Boil the Hot Dogs

• Be careful in adding the hot dogs while the water is still boiling. Use tongs or spoon to put the hot dogs into the pot. This is a much-needed safety when boiling hot dogs.
• Ensure that the hot dogs are fully submerged in the water or if they haven't then use your way to push them inside the water.
• Boil the hot dogs for about 4 to 6 minutes. If more plumper hot dog is required then they can be cooked for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
• Once the water is boiling, you can reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle boil. 

5. Cover and Cook 

• Cover the pot with a lid or any other utensils. The cooking time may vary on the amount of hot dogs to be cooked. They are mainly boneless so, they can be cooked in a short period. It should be checked continuously because overcooked hot dogs may not be tasty. 

6. Check for Doneness

• It is recommended to cook the hot dogs to the final temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit. Below 140, hot dogs may have a spongy flavor.
• So, use the meat thermometer to check the doneness and enjoy the nicely cooked hot dogs.
• If the thermometer is not available, use the spoon and check the hot dogs. 

7. Remove and Serve 

• After boiling, remove the hot dogs from the pot using spoons or tongs. This prevents hands from burning. Place them on the plates or chopping boards.
• After placing them on the plates, check whether they are dry or there is still a lot of water. Leave excess water to drain off and let it dry for some time.
• Put the hot dogs in buns and add your favorite seasonings and toppings such as ketchup, mustard powder, and black pepper. This adds extra flavor and taste to the hot dogs.

Hot dogs should be boiled properly to make sure that the bacteria from the meat is removed properly. However, it is important to note that hot dogs are typically fully cooked. Only the reheating can work for many hot dogs. 

One should know the right time to boil hot dogs as both overcooking and undercooking are not good. Overboiling hot dogs can change the taste and texture of hot dogs. They should be boiled using a bowl full of water.

Approximately for 8 hot dogs, 4 to 5 minutes of time is required. But if the frozen hot dogs are there then they should be cooked for at least 8 to 10 minutes. 

Hot dogs should be kept from splitting. It is easier in the microwave but while boiling in a pan or bowl, it is important to be cautious. It is better to make holes all over hot dogs before putting them in the pot of water as this will help the hot dogs to boil properly and also support the equal flavor of seasonings. 

How to Check the Doneness 

It is important to check the doneness of hot dogs to have a delicious taste. The following steps can be taken to check the doneness of hot dogs to ensure they are cooked thoroughly and are safe to eat. 

• Color and Texture: Hot dogs are ready to serve after they plump up. They turn into a uniform color. The redness or the pinkness of hot dogs shouldn't be there. The inner texture should be looked upon properly as they should be juicy from the inside and the outer casing can be firm.
• Temperature: Use the meat thermometer or other food thermometer to check the internal temperature of hot dogs. They should reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit temperature. This ensures they are perfectly heated and are ready to cook.
• Floating: If the hot dogs float properly on the surface of the water, it is indicated that the hot dogs are cooked properly. They are heated well and are ready to be consumed.

Some tips for adding flavors to hot dogs are listed below; 

• Broth or other liquids: Boil your hot dogs in flavored liquid instead of boiling them in plain water. Use chicken or beef broth to add a nice flavor. When boiled in plain water, it may not give the required flavor.
• Aromatics: The aromatics such as sliced onions, garlic cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaves when added to boiling water increase the freshness of hot dogs. They give additional flavor and are more delicious.
• Butter Bath: After boiling the hot dogs, simmer them in the melted butter and other spices such as garlic powder. This gives a buttery flavor to the hot dogs.
• Seasonings: Season them with black pepper and salt. Also, sprinkle some herbs such as parsley and oregano leaves into the boiling water. Adjust them according to the taste before serving. 
• Citrus food: Add vinegar and other citrus juice such as lemon and orange to increase the freshness of the hot dogs.

Hot dogs can be stored for a long time through refrigeration. They should be stored in original packaging. This helps to maintain the freshness and protects the hot dogs from being damaged for a long time. They should be kept in a refrigerator below 40 degrees Celsius. When it is relegated it can be eaten up to 2 weeks. 

The hot dogs should be wrapped properly in aluminum foil or other plastic wraps. They should be then kept in an airtight container. The packaging should be labeled with the date as the hot dogs can be frozen for up to 2 months if wrapped properly. They are safe to eat for a long time if stored properly. 

Shredding or Slicing

Depending upon the time and the hunger, the hot dogs can be shredded and sliced. It is better to slice them into thin round shapes so that they be boiled properly.

They can be shredded in food items such as tacos or salads. Both of these help in increasing the texture and making it more delicious. Not just the ingredients, but the size of foods also affect the taste and preferences. 

Reheating 

When about to eat, reheating is necessary as it makes the food more tasty. Reheat hot dogs in a pot or microwave them. Avoid overheating to prevent dryness. Reheating time and again may reduce the actual flavor. So, reheat only when about to consume.

Hot Dog Salads 

They are the treat to mouth. These hot dog salads are rich in meat flavor along with the freshness of green vegetables and other herbal plants. Slice some boiled hot dogs into small pieces and add them to the salad.

The salads are considered healthy. The addition of hot dogs makes the salads tasty as well. The taste of cucumbers tomatoes and other fruit and vegetables provides an acidic and savory flavor to the hot dog salad.

Hot Dog Pasta

Pasta is everyone's favorite snack or meal. It is easy to make and a heavy option to feed a lot of people. Cut the boiled hot dogs into small pieces and mix them with cheese and pasta.

This dish is a playful recipe and can be made in a short time. The toppings and seasoning of various spices and sauces make the dish more delicious.