Mexican Hot Dogs Easy Recipe

Because as much as I love a classic hot dog with all the fixin’s, these are pretty hard to resist. Mexican hot dogs are such a fun and delicious twist on the American classic. Instead of the usual condiments – mayo, ketchup, and mustard – you’ll need homemade pico de gallo, lime crema, and queso fresco. Together, these toppings create a beautiful balance of rich and refreshing flavors. But if you feel like going the extra mile, feel free to top them with as many extras as your heart desires!

What Are Mexican Hot Dogs?

Mexican hot dogs, aka Sonoran hot dogs and street dogs, are a popular street food from Hermosillo, the capital of the Mexican state of Sonora. Traditionally wrapped in bacon, the toppings vary from pico de gallo, caramelized onions, and corn to pickled jalapeños, peppers, avocados, and more. If you’re from Los Angeles, chances are you’ve already had a few of these overloaded hot dogs. It’s not uncommon to see street food vendors selling these bad boys on the streets of LA. But if you don’t live in the City of Angels, don’t worry. You can easily make your own!

How to Make Mexican Hot Dogs

Make the Pico De Gallo. Dice a couple of Roma tomatoes and a red onion, then chop some cilantro and jalapeños. Add everything to a bowl and stir. Season with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Make the lime crema. Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, lime zest, and lime juice. Set aside.
Cook the hot dogs. Use whichever method you prefer. I like them on the grill for that added taste of char. But you do you.
Assemble the hot dogs. Place the hot dogs in toasted buns (or your bread of choice). Top with prepared pico de gallo, lime crema, and queso fresco.
Serve and enjoy!

How Long to Cook Hot Dogs

It depends. It’ll take more time if you’re cooking the hot dogs straight from the freezer. It also depends on how you plan to cook them. Use this guide for cooking thawed hot dogs:

Slow Cooker: This method is perfect if you plan to cook a ton of hot dogs. Cook them for 2 hours on high or 3 to 4 hours on low.

Pan-fried: Pan-fry the hot dogs in butter in a skillet over medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes.

Boiled: Cook in hot water for 4 to 6 minutes.

Grilled: Cook for 7 to 10 minutes on a hot grill. Flip the hot dogs halfway through so both sides get a good char.

Oven: Bake the hot dogs for 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175C).

What To Serve With Mexican Hot Dogs

Mexican hot dogs are a complete meal by themselves, but it can’t hurt to pair them with other tasty dishes. Like burgers, hot dogs pair well with fries, onion rings, and more! Or make it a feast and have a whole table full of Tex-Mex faves. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

Popeye’s French FriesOven-Baked Potato WedgesSweet Potato FriesNachosQuesadillas Tacos

Or, just have a refreshing drink on the side. You can’t go wrong with a margarita or glass of zippy lemonade.

Topping Variations

When it comes to Mexican hot dog toppings, the possibilities are endless. For example:

Shredded cheeseRefried beansHot sauceBacon crumbles GuacamoleCaramelized Onions

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

To Make Ahead

Simply prepare the toppings in advance and store them in airtight containers. Then, refrigerate until you’re ready to assemble. When ready to serve, cook the hot dogs and toast the buns, if desired. Assemble as instructed and enjoy.

To Store

You’ll want to store the hot dogs separately from the buns and toppings. Place each item in an airtight container and refrigerate for 1 to 2 days. For a longer shelf-life, keep the hot dogs in the freezer. Just pop them in a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for several months.

To Reheat

For this section, we’ll only talk about reheating the hot dogs themselves – not the buns and toppings. You’ll need to make those fresh. You have several choices here, and all yield fantastic results.

In the Oven – Reheat the hotdogs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C) for 5 minutes.

In the Air Fryer – Reheat the hot dogs for 3 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C).

Stovetop – Reheat the hot dogs in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat until warm.