BBQ Hot Dogs & Sauerkraut
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A savory, juicy hot dog slathered with sweet and smoky BBQ Sauerkraut sitting in a soft bun is my idea of the ultimate weeknight dinner or cookout food. You couldn’t ask for a better meal to serve at your next get-together or tailgating party than these BBQ Hot Dogs with Sauerkraut!
Guys, tailgating season is here and I am so excited to be bringing you this super tasty recipe that is perfect for watch parties or tailgating. It’s an easy way to to please a crowd in no time but also is a super simple recipe for a quick dinner the whole family will love! Plus, it’s economical too. This recipe feeds a crowd for under twenty bucks!
This recipe is sponsored by Frank’s Kraut but my lifetime love of their sauerkraut and opinions here are all my own.
You can bake these hot dogs and kraut in your oven or on top of your grill. This recipe was inspired by my Grandma’s recipe for Baked Polish & Sauerkraut recipe. I have done that one on the grill, too. It never disappoints, and my readers love it!
So when Frank’s Kraut asked me to do a tailgating recipe with their new Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut – I knew exactly what I was making!
BBQ Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
All-natural hot dogs and savory yet sweet barbecue sauerkraut come together for a hearty and delicious dish. Perfectly seasoned and ideal for serving during the tailgating season. I’m sure you’ll agree, nothing is better than the combination of the all-American classic hot dog and tangy sauerkraut.
Frank’s Sweet ‘n Smoky BBQ Kraut pairs perfectly. I guarantee it will become your new favorite hot dog topping. Frank’s really makes the best sauerkraut, I’ve been serving it to my family for years and was excited to try their new smoky bbq kraut flavor.
BBQ Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
If you are wondering what sauerkraut is, it’s fermented cabbage and it has many health benefits. There has been much talk about gut health and how it contributes to general health and this is where sauerkraut comes into play. It may have a role in helping our guts stay healthy. Sauerkraut is also a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
BBQ sauerkraut, or BBQ kraut as we say around here, is sauerkraut that has spices and seasonings that give it a barbecue flavor.
If you love this recipe for bbq hot dogs and sauerkraut, you are sure to love these too: Viral Tik Tok Sauerkraut & Arugula Salad, Sauerkraut Bacon and Swiss Dip, or this Reuben Meatloaf recipe!
bbq kraut
If you’ve planned a family get-together, a cookout, a potluck, or a picnic, I think this recipe will go over well with your crowd. With just a few simple ingredients, this will be your new favorite way to serve hot dogs.
Ingredients for BBQ Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card.
- Natural casing wieners – I use natural casing wieners, I personally think they taste the best and the outcome of the recipe is just better. Beef or pork are fine.
- Frank’s Sweet and Smoky BBQ Kraut – The same Frank’s Kraut you know and love with a sweet and smoky barbecue flavor. Undrained.
- BBQ Sauce – Store-bought sauce or homemade, whichever you prefer.
- Water
- Buns – hot dog buns for serving – or skip them for a low-carb meal.
How to make BBQ Hot Dogs with Kraut
It couldn’t be easier to prepare this family-favorite recipe.
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Lay wieners in the bottom of a cast iron Dutch oven.
Mix barbeque sauce and water together and pour over the top of the hot dogs.
Pour the Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut over the top. (do not drain)
Bake covered for about 45 minutes.
Serve on hot dog buns.
Store leftover sauerkraut and hot dogs in the fridge for 3-4 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
Love it? Pin it!
If you love this baked hot dogs and kraut recipe make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!
FAQs about BBQ Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut
- Can I use any kind of hot dog? Yes, any kind of hot dog can be used to make this recipe. However, I find that the natural casing wieners taste the best. They have that nice smoke flavor and when they bake the outside has that nice “snap” to it like a Polish Sausage or bratwurst does.
- Can I cook this recipe on the stovetop instead of in the oven or grill? Yes, if you’d like to prepare on top of the stove, combine everything in a large cast iron skillet, frying pan, or Dutch oven and cook on medium-high heat until cooked through.
- Can this recipe be prepared on the grill? Absolutely! Hot dogs taste great on the grill. There are a few options for cooking on the grill. Place the Dutch oven on your gas grill or electric smoker grill and allow it to cook the same way. Using the same temperature and times as the oven method. Grills vary, so check it a few minutes early to make sure yours didn’t cook faster.
- What’s the difference between Frank’s original sauerkraut and Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut? Frank’s Sweet and Smoky BBQ Kraut has brown sugar and spices giving it that sweet and smoky barbecue flavor.
- Can I substitute other types of sausages for hot dogs? Any type of sausage will work in place on the hot dogs.
- Can I prepare this dish in advance? How to reheat it? Yes, this dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat it place it back in the skillet or warm it in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave.
- Are there any vegetarian alternatives for hot dogs? If you would like to make a meatless dish, instead of beef hot dogs look in the produce aisle of the grocery store for a vegetarian option. Many brands have meatless hot dogs and sausages.
What side dishes pair well with these BBQ Hot Dogs and kraut?
Serve these barbecue hot dogs with sauerkraut along with some mashed potatoes, potatoes au gratin, or potato salad. They are also fantastic with some corn casserole, homemade fries, or potato chips!
Substitutions
Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own!
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Use sausages or German bratwurst instead of hot dogs.
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Try a different kind of Frank’s Kraut; Mustard Kraut, Bavarian Sweet Kraut, and of course, Frank’s Original Kraut all work well.
- Love the flavor of Caraway seeds? It pairs nicely with sauerkraut. Sprinkle the top of the kraut before you bake it.
Tips & Tricks
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We ate these hot dogs with zero condiments. The flavor they had was out of this world all on their own. But if you are a condiment person feel free to serve them with brown mustard, yellow mustard, German mustard, sweet pickle relish, dill pickles, and ketchup so everyone has what they enjoy.
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Place the sauerkraut that’s leftover in a container in the fridge. It will keep for up to 4 months.
Sauerkraut Recipes to Love
I think all of these sauerkraut recipes would be perfect for tailgating season (and beyond!)
Try these burger and sausage recipes: Pastrami Burger with Kraut, Reuben Burger, Kraut Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Brats, Smoked Hot Dogs & Kraut, or these BBQ Smoked Sausage Sandwiches with Kraut (pictured above).
Dips like my Crock Pot Reuben Dip and this Sauerkraut Bacon & Swiss Dip never disappoint, nor does my recipe for Reuben Pizza, Traditional Reuben Sandwiches, or try The Rachel – a Turkey Reuben, mine is made with Frank’s Mustard Kraut!
Check out my Ultimate Guide to Sauerkraut and Everything About the Reuben &How to Reubenize Anything
Where to Buy Frank’s Kraut
You can find Frank’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut now at HyVee Supermarkets or Grab some Frank’s Kraut on their website!
MORE SAUERKRAUT RECIPES TO LOVE
Follow along with Frank’s Kraut on their social media to get delicious recipes all year long. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all things sauerkraut!
Smoky BBQ Kraut adds a new and unique flavor to traditional hot dogs. Add a few side dishes and some beverages and you’ll be all set for tailgating season!
BBQ Hot Dogs & Sauerkraut
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1.5# package natural casing wieners (12 hot dogs)
- 1 jar of Frank's Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut do not drain
- 1/4 cup water
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lay wieners in the bottom of a cast iron Dutch oven.
- Mix water and barbecue sauce together. Pour over hot dogs.
- Pour Frank's Sweet & Smoky BBQ Kraut over the top.
- Bake covered for about 45 minutes.
- Serve on buns.
Notes
Nutrition
These are great for a party that I am organizing next week. Can’t wait to have these on the table!
Better than store-bought and so much more wholesome! Loving these!
This is such a fun twist on regular hot dogs!! We have a bbq coming up this weekend and I’ll be adding this to our menu!
I adore sauerkraut, so I can’t wait to try this! I think I’ll make it for football Sunday this weekend!
Absolutely the best and easiest meal! Extra mustard for me!
This is great for the guys to have when they’re watching football. Loving the bbq flavors on the hot dogs and sauerkraut!
My family absolutely loves these tasty dogs! The BBQ kraut adds so much flavor. Great recipe!
Love this BBQ HOT DOGS & SAUERKRAUT recipe, would be perfect for a gathering and weekends in family, will have to make them soon they look delicious. Thanks for sharing 🙂