This Seattle-Style Hotdog features a delightful fusion of flavors, with a juicy sausage topped with creamy cream cheese and caramelized onions. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend cookout!
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While waiting for our time slot at the Space Needle in Seattle, I couldn't resist joining the line for the famous Seattle-Style Hotdog. The aroma was irresistible, and despite the tempting grilled corn and popcorn options, we went for the hotdogs—they seemed to be everyone's favorite.
It's like Seattle's own twist on the Philly Cheesesteak, and I knew we had to try it.
Right across from the hotdog kiosk, there was a fresh strawberry lemonade stand that caught my eye.
The combination of a savory Seattle dog and a refreshing strawberry lemonade seemed perfect.
So, inspired by this tasty experience, tonight’s dinner will be a recreation of that memorable meal: Seattle-Style Hotdogs paired with homemade strawberry lemonade.
Get ready to enjoy a little taste of Seattle right at home!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Combination: The blend of cream cheese and caramelized onion adds a delicious twist to the classic hotdog.
- Easy to Make: This recipe comes together quickly, perfect for a fast and satisfying meal.
- Versatile: Ideal for casual dinners, weekend cookouts, or game day snacks like Super Bowl.
- Customizable: Easily tweak the toppings to suit your taste preferences.
- Kid-Friendly: The mild spice and creamy texture make it a hit with kids.
- Perfect for Parties: Impress your guests with this unique and flavorful hotdog.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a batch ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week.
Ingredients
- Hot Dog buns: Soft buns work best, but any type will do.
- Hotdogs or sausages: Use your favorite brand; beef, pork, or chicken all work well. I used the beef Hot Dogs / Polish Sausage I got from Costco.
- Cream cheese: Regular or whipped cream cheese adds a creamy texture.
- Yellow onions: Sauté until caramelized for extra sweetness.
- Butter or oil: For sautéing the onions.
- Optional toppings: Jalapeños, Mustard, ketchup, coleslaw or sauerkraut to customize your hotdog. Bacon is a nice addition too!
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Seattle-Style Hot Dogs
- Prepare the hotdogs: Grill or boil, or your hotdogs until fully cooked. You can also put this in an air fryer.
- Sauté the onions: In a skillet, heat butter or oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until caramelized.
- Toast the buns: Lightly toast the hotdog buns on the grill or in a toaster.
- Assemble the hotdog: Spread a generous amount of cream cheese inside each bun.
- Add the hotdog: Place the cooked hotdog or sausage inside the bun.
- Top with onions and jalapeños (if using): Add caramelized onions and sliced jalapeños on top.
Optional: Add your favorite condiments like mustard, pickles, coleslaw, ketchup, or sauerkraut.
Some Seattle Hotdog Variations
- Veggie Dog: Substitute the hotdog with a vegetarian sausage and load up on extra veggies.
- Spicy Lover's Dog: Add more jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce or Sriracha for extra heat.
- Cheesy Dog: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese on top before serving.
What To Serve With This
Classic French Fries: Golden and crispy, French fries are a perfect complement to the creaminess and tang of the toppings.
Sweet Potato Wedges: Oven-roasted and lightly seasoned, these bring a sweet and savory balance to your meal.
Coleslaw: The crunchy, tangy, and creamy slaw is an excellent contrast to the warm and hearty hotdog.
Baked Beans: Rich, smoky baked beans make for a comforting and filling side dish.
Macaroni Salad: A chilled macaroni salad with a creamy dressing is always a crowd-pleaser at any meal.
Grilled Corn on the Cob: Juicy corn brushed with butter and spices adds a summery vibe to your hotdog spread.
Pickled Vegetables: Tangy pickled cucumbers, carrots, or radishes cut through the richness with a zesty bite.
Garden Salad: A fresh mix of greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes adds a refreshing touch to your plate.
Onion Rings: Crunchy and golden, onion rings are a flavorful addition to any casual feast.
Pasta Salad: A zesty pasta salad with vinaigrette dressing offers a light and flavorful side option.
Garlic Parmesan Wedges: Seasoned potato wedges with garlic and parmesan bring bold flavors that enhance the savory hotdog experience.
Cucumber Salad: A chilled cucumber salad is light, tangy, and refreshing, making it a great contrast to rich, grilled hotdogs.
Storage Instruction
Store any leftover hotdogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on a skillet before serving.
Top Tip
For the best flavor, always use fresh ingredients and don't skip the caramelized onions—they add a depth of flavor that makes this hotdog truly special!
Frequently Asked Question
Absolutely! Beef, pork, chicken, or even veggie sausages all work great in this recipe.
You can omit the jalapeños or use a milder pepper like bell peppers for a non-spicy version.
Opt for whole wheat buns, turkey or chicken sausages, and low-fat cream cheese for a lighter version.
Did you try this recipe?
Share how it turned out in the comment box below, and if you loved it, share it on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram.
Thank you!
Seattle-Style Hotdog Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Grill, Skillet or Air fryer
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Hot Dog bun
- 6 pieces beef, pork, or chicken Hot Dogs
- 4 ounce Cream cheese Regular or whipped cream chees
- 1 medium Yellow onion sliced
- 1 tablespoon Butter or oil
- Optional toppings: Mustard ketchup, coleslaw, jalapenos or sauerkraut to customize your hotdog. Bacon is a nice addition too!
Instructions
- Prepare the hotdogs: Grill or boil, or your hotdogs until fully cooked. You can also put this in an air fryer.
- Sauté the onions: In a skillet, heat butter or oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until caramelized.
- Toast the buns: Lightly toast the hotdog buns on the grill or in a toaster.
- Assemble the hotdog: Spread a generous amount of cream cheese inside each bun.
- Add the hotdog: Place the cooked hotdog or sausage inside the bun.
- Top with onions and jalapeños (if using): Add caramelized onions and sliced jalapeños on top.
- Optional: Add your favorite condiments like mustard, pickles, coleslaw, ketchup, or sauerkraut.
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