Elevate your next outdoor party or gathering with Southern slaw dogs! These delicious hot dogs are garnished with yellow mustard and topped with a generous serving of sweet coleslaw. Feel free to stop there, or take it to the next level by adding chili and fresh onions for an extra burst of flavor!
Americans Love Hot Dogs
In the pantry of iconic American food, few things are as beloved as the classic hot dog. On the 4th of July, Americans consume 150 million of them! If that seems like a lot of hot dogs, consider this: Americans consume 7 billion hot dogs from Memorial Day to Labor Day! That is a lot of dogs!
Hot Dogs and Coleslaw
Considering how many hot dogs Americans eat annually, we can safely assume they hold a special place in our hearts and stomachs. But if you want to take your hot dog game to the next level, may I suggest adding a generous helping of coleslaw? Coleslaw and hot dogs may seem like an unexpected pairing, but trust me, the combination of savory, juicy hot dogs with the cool, crunchy texture of sweet coleslaw is a match made in food heaven. The tangy creaminess of the coleslaw complements the smoky saltiness of the hot dog in a way that will leave your taste buds well-satisfied.
Making Coleslaw for Slaw Dogs
There are several ways to prepare coleslaw. For this recipe, green cabbage is chopped fine in a food processor. You can also use a small electric chopper and chop it in small batches until you have the desired amount. If you don’t have a food processor, chop the cabbage with a knife or use a box grater.
Many Southern cooks eyeball the amount of mayonnaise and seasonings to add to the cabbage to make coleslaw. However, the dressing can be mixed and poured over the coleslaw. How much dressing to add is up to your tastebuds! Leftover dressing can be refrigerated and used later. I prefer to make smaller amounts of coleslaw that are easily used up, so I don’t need to refrigerate leftovers because cabbage can turn brown after it is cut.
Alternate Way to Make Coleslaw for Slaw Dogs
An alternative way to make coleslaw is with prepackaged shredded cabbage. Packaged cabbage can also contain shredded carrots and purple cabbage, which work great in coleslaw for hot dogs. The taste can vary from fresh chopped cabbage, but it is still delicious. The mixing instructions are the same for packaged cabbage or fresh chopped.
Building the Perfect Slaw Dog
When it comes to building the perfect hot dog with coleslaw, the options are endless. For an extra kick, add some jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to your coleslaw for a spicy twist or chopped pineapple for a sweeter taste. To assemble your hot dog with coleslaw, start with a perfectly grilled hot dog nestled in a toasted bun. Then, top it off with yellow mustard and a generous helping of coleslaw. Then, you might add a sprinkling of chopped raw onions and hot dog chili. The result is a Mid-Atlantic Southern hot dog that will elevate your hot dog experience to new heights.
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Southern Slaw Dogs
Equipment
- food processor, electric chopper, or box grater
Ingredients
Coleslaw
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- â…› teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ head green cabbage, core removed and finely chopped or grated
Hot Dogs
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 buns
- mustard
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
Coleslaw
- Mix the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the desired amount of grated cabbage to a bowl. Spoon enough dressing to coat the cabbage but not saturate it. Stir to mix uniformly. Add extra dressing if needed. Serve cold and refrigerate any leftover dressing.
Hot Dogs
- Grill the hot dogs until browned.
- Melt 1/3 of the butter in a large skillet. Open 2 or 3 hot dog buns until flat and toast each side in the skillet. Repeat until all the buns are toasted in the butter.
- Add the grilled hot dogs to the toasted buns. Add a thin line of yellow mustard to each hot dog and top with 2-3 tablespoons of coleslaw to create an ultimate slaw dog. Optional: Top with garnishes like finely chopped sweet onions and chili.