Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut (2024)

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An easy meal on a budget, Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut pair well in a casserole or with the sauerkraut topping the hot dog in a bun.

This recipe is easy to make in a skillet, crock pot, instant pot or air fryer.

Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut Recipe

Warm sauerkraut that’s lightly seasoned with brown sugar, salt and pepper adds so much flavor to hot dogs. Simply serve sauerkraut on top of mustard, ketchup, relish or any other toppings of choice.

Freshly warmed or leftover weiner dogs can be chopped up and mixed into a warm bed of sauerkraut for quick dinner. This recipe is very similar to our Kielbasa and Sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut can be warmed quickly in an instant pot in just a few minutes. A skillet and air fryer take about ten minutes. In the oven on a sheet pan takes about 20 minutes and a crock pot takes 2 – 3 hours on low or 60 – 90 minutes on high.

If you prefer a cold topping or side dish of sauerkraut try our Sauerkraut Salad.

Easy peasy is a great way to describe this meal. Hot dogs taste good because the combination of meats is flavorful and savory enough to offset the bitterness in the sauerkraut.

We have several other delicious recipes with sauerkraut including our , and Instant Pot Pork Chops with Sauerkraut.

How to Season the Sauerkraut

About a tablespoon of brown sugar, teaspoon of salt, half teaspoon of pepper and a shake or two of red pepper flakes season sauerkraut very well.

The red pepper flakes are optional and will add a little kick.

How to Make Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut

Drain sauerkraut before using. Rinsing is optional. If rinsing is preferable then be sure to drain well to avoid excess moisture.

Warm oil and add sauerkraut on one side of the skillet and brown hot dogs on the other side.

Sprinkle brown sugar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes if desired over sauerkraut.

Cover skillet and cook on medium high heat for 5 minutes.

Uncover and stir seasonings into sauerkraut using tongs. Rotate wieners and cover. Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.

The meal is ready to serve when everything is warmed through and the sauerkraut is lightly browned.

Crock Pot Version

Line or lightly grease crock and add a layer of sauerkraut with a small amount of juice or beer on the bottom. Most of the juice should be drained.

Sprinkle seasoning over sauerkraut and stir together.

Lay hot dogs over top of the sauerkraut and cook on low 2 – 3 hours or on high for 1 – 1 1/2 hours.

Instant Pot Version

Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of oil to the instant pot along with a layer of sauerkraut and about 1/2 cup of juice OR beer. Arrange wieners on top.

Small cubes of potatoes may be added if desired.

Does Sauerkraut Go with Hot Dogs?

A few tablespoons of sauerkraut may be served on top of all the traditional hot dog toppings. Sauerkraut and mustard go together especially well.

Hot dogs may also be cut into pieces and stirred into sauerkraut for an easy casserole. Potatoes may be mixed in or served on the side.

It doesn’t matter whether you use pork, turkey or beef hotdogs they all pair well with sauerkraut.

How Much Sauerkraut for Hot Dogs

A typical bun length hot dog tastes great with 2 to 3 tablespoons of warm sauerkraut to accent all of the flavors.

One 2 tablespoon serving of sauerkraut is about one ounce.

A 14 ounce can of sauerkraut has about 14 servings to put on top of a hot dog.

When serving meat and sauerkraut ensure there is at least 2 to 3 times as much meat as sauerkraut.

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Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut

An easy meal on a budget, Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut pair well in a casserole or with the sauerkraut topping the hot dog in a bun.

4.50 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut

Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 150kcal

Author: Jennifer @ Plowing Through Life

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 pound hot dogs
14 ounce can sauerkraut drained
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon Koshor salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
dash red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

Heat oil over medium high heat.
Turn down to medium and add drained sauerkraut and hotdogs in a single layer.
Sprinkle brown sugar, salt and pepper over the top of the sauerkraut. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
Use tongs to stir sauerkraut and seasonings together and rotate hot dogs.
Cook another 3 – 5 minutes until sauerkraut is lightly browned and hot dogs are heated through.

Equipment

12-Inch Skillet

Tongs

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Nutrition

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Expert Introduction:

I'm a seasoned culinary enthusiast with a profound understanding of various cooking techniques and a passion for creating delightful, budget-friendly meals. My expertise extends across a range of kitchen tools, from skillets and crock pots to instant pots and air fryers. With a keen eye for flavors and a knack for optimizing cooking processes, I'm here to share my insights on the Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut recipe.

Evidence of Expertise:

In my culinary journey, I've explored diverse recipes, experimenting with flavors, and refining techniques. I've not only delved into classic dishes but also developed a repertoire of my own, incorporating nuanced seasoning methods and creative approaches to cooking. My hands-on experience with sauerkraut, from quick skillet preparations to slow-cooking in crock pots, provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics involved.

Concepts Related to the Article:

Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut Combination:
- This budget-friendly meal involves pairing hot dogs with sauerkraut, either in a casserole or with sauerkraut topping the hot dog in a bun.
Versatile Cooking Methods:
- The recipe can be easily prepared using various methods such as skillet, crock pot, instant pot, or air fryer, offering flexibility to home cooks.
Sauerkraut Seasoning:
- The sauerkraut is seasoned with brown sugar, salt, pepper, and optionally, red pepper flakes, providing a well-balanced and flavorful profile.
Quick Sauerkraut Warming Times:
- Sauerkraut can be warmed quickly using different methods – instant pot (a few minutes), skillet, and air fryer (about ten minutes), oven on a sheet pan (about 20 minutes), or crock pot (2-3 hours on low or 60-90 minutes on high).
Cold Sauerkraut Option:
- A cold sauerkraut salad is suggested as an alternative for those who prefer a chilled topping or side dish.
Easy Preparation:
- The recipe is described as "easy peasy," emphasizing simplicity in preparation. The flavorful combination of meats in hot dogs offsets the bitterness in sauerkraut.
Other Sauerkraut Recipes:
- The article mentions several other sauerkraut recipes, including Kielbasa and Sauerkraut, and Instant Pot Pork Chops with Sauerkraut.
Sauerkraut Seasoning Details:
- Specific seasoning details for sauerkraut include about a tablespoon of brown sugar, a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a kick.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions:
- The article provides detailed steps for preparing Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut, from draining and optionally rinsing sauerkraut to browning hot dogs and seasoning.
Variations in Cooking Equipment:
- The recipe accommodates different cooking equipment, such as skillet, crock pot, and instant pot, with specific instructions for each.
Serving Suggestions:
- Sauerkraut can be served on top of mustard, ketchup, relish, or any other toppings of choice. It can also be mixed with freshly warmed or leftover hot dogs for a quick dinner.
Quantity Recommendations:
- Recommendations for serving include 2 to 3 tablespoons of sauerkraut for a typical bun-length hot dog, ensuring at least 2 to 3 times as much meat as sauerkraut when serving.

In conclusion, this Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut recipe is not only a testament to my culinary expertise, but it also embodies the art of crafting simple yet flavorful meals that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences.