This Greek Hot Dog Sauce takes your grilled franks to a whole new level of summer tastiness. The savory-meets-sweet basil, oregano, and brown sugar sauce pairs beautifully with the tangy mustard and crunchy onions and will have your backyard barbeque guests counting down the days until your next cookout!
Are you looking to take your backyard BBQs and summer grilling to the next level? This Greek hotdog sauce recipe is the perfect topping for adding bold, Mediterranean flavor to classic grilled hot dogs. With a rich tomato base, savory ground beef, and aromatic Greek spices, it’s sure to become a new family favorite condiment. Tried and tested deliciousness!
I just made this Greek-style hot dog sauce tonight for our dinner! Wow, it truly elevated the humble hot dog in a bun! Both hubby and I ate a couple and can’t wait to make this again soon. That’s how much we truly enjoyed this!
It’s a big deal because every time there’s a cookout I always bypass the hotdog for burgers and anything else. It was too plain for my taste and not worth the calories. But after making this delicious Greek hot dog topping – I’m blown away and will always eat my hot dog buns this way! I promise you’ll feel the same once you’ve made this tasty hot dog condiment.
What is Greek Hot Dog Sauce?
Greek hotdog sauce (also called Greek sauce or sauce for hotdogs) is a flavorful meat-based topping that originated in Greek diners and hot dog joints across the United States. It consists of ground beef simmered in a tomato sauce seasoned with Greek spices like oregano, paprika, and garlic.
While the exact origins are unclear, Greek hotdog sauce likely evolved from Mediterranean immigrants adapting recipes to the American hot dog culture. Today, it’s a beloved regional specialty found everywhere from New York City to Detroit.
In case you’re wondering – you can also use “hotdog” or “hot dog” though the former is usually preferred. They are both accepted spellings of this popular grilled sausage sandwich. I will be using them interchangeably in this post.
Why You Would Love This Recipe
You would love this Greek hot dog sauce recipe because it captures the authentic flavors of Greek-American diners and hot dog joints in an easy homemade version. The combination of ground beef simmered in a rich tomato sauce with classic Greek spices like paprika, oregano, and garlic creates that quintessential Greek diner taste.
By allowing the sauce to simmer low and slow, the flavors meld together into a uniquely savory and nostalgic topping that instantly elevates basic grilled hot dogs into something special. It’s a regional specialty with a comforting taste that brings back fond memories for those familiar with Greek diners, especially in areas like Erie and Detroit.
Ingredients for Greek Hot Dog Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 piece sweet onion, finely diced
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoons dried basil
- 1-2 pinches of cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Make Greek Hot Dog Sauce
In a saucepan over high heat, add the ground beef and water. Break up the beef into fine pieces as it browns. Add the diced onions, tomato sauce, mustard, butter, brown sugar, dried herbs and spices. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Allow it to simmer for 35-40 minutes, until it reaches your desired thickness. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together.
Grill up your favorite hot dogs and top with the warm Greek sauce. Add any other desired toppings like diced onions, mustard, or relish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do you serve Greek sauce with?
While it’s amazing on grilled hot dogs, this sauce also makes a great topping for burgers, fries, sandwiches, or any other grilled meats.
How long does Greek sauce last?
Greek Hot Dog Sauce can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.
Is Greek sauce spicy?
No, this recipe has a mild flavor from the paprika and other Greek spices. For a kick of heat, you can add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
Can I use ground lamb instead of beef?
Certainly! Using ground lamb will give you a more authentic Greek flavor, but beef is the traditional hot dog topping.
This rich, savory Greek hotdog sauce is sure to become your new go-to summer grilling condiment. With its bold Mediterranean flavors and easy preparation, it instantly elevates any hot dog or grilled meat. Give this recipe a try at your next backyard BBQ!
Easy Greek Hot Dog Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 piece sweet onion, finely diced
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoons dried basil
- 1-2 pinches of cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a saucepan over high heat, add the ground beef and water, breaking up the beef until it’s finely minced.
- Add the add the diced onions, tomato sauce, mustard, butter, brown sugar, dried herbs and spices. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and simmer for 35-40 minutes, until you reach your desired thickness. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- For best results, let the sauce simmer until it’s nice and thick. The longer it cooks, the more the flavors will meld together.
- Grill up your favorite hot dogs and top with the warm Greek sauce. Add any other desired toppings like diced onions, mustard, relish and cheese.
