Tennessee Smoky Hot Dog

Take your tailgate slaw dogs to the next level with a smoky coleslaw recipe that’s doggone good!

Overhead view of chili-topped hot dogs with mustard and slaw, served with chips and drinks
Cooking for 8 people

Ingredients

  • 8

    beef hot dogs

  • 2 cups

    prepared hot dog chili

  • 1

    large sweet onion, cut into ¼-inch slices

  • 2 tbsp.

    butter

  • ¼ tsp.

    your favorite barbecue dry rub

  • 8

    hot dog buns

Smoky Coleslaw

  • ½ head

    green cabbage, cut into 4 wedges

  • ¼ head

    purple cabbage, cut into 2 wedges

  • 1

    large carrot, peeled and shredded

  • ¼

    sweet onion, diced

Smoky Coleslaw Dressing

  • ½ cup

    mayonnaise

  • 2 tbsp.

    cider vinegar

  • 1 tsp.

    black pepper

  • 1 tsp.

    kosher salt

  • ½ tsp.

    celery seed

1Food Prep

    • Place onion slices on a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil, and top each with about 1 tsp. of butter, then season with the BBQ rub. Fold over the edges of the foil and seal to make an envelope.

    • In a medium bowl, mix the ingredients for the Smoky Coleslaw dressing and refrigerate.

2Grill Prep

3The Cook

    • When you’re at temp, put cooking oil on a folded paper towel. Grab the oiled paper towel with long-handled tongs and oil the grate thoroughly.

    • Place the foil packet on the grill along with a small grill-proof saucepan filled with the hot dog chili. Cook both for the whole time, about 20–25 minutes. Halfway through, flip the foil packet.

    • Meanwhile, lightly brush the cut sides of the cabbage with olive oil and grill 3–4 minutes per side, just long enough to get a light char. Remove and allow it to cool.

    • Next, slice across the cabbage wedges into very thin slices (think matchstick width) and place in a large bowl. Add the carrot, onion and coleslaw dressing. Toss to coat thoroughly, and place in the refrigerator.

    • Now it’s time to grill the hot dogs. Grill them to your preferred degree of char, rotating often, until they reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F on a digital meat thermometer.

    • To toast your buns, open them and place them face down on the grill, directly over the coals. Watch your buns closely — they burn fast. Toasting takes anywhere from a few seconds to a minute, depending on how hot your coals are.

    • Remove everything from the grill and assemble your hot dogs in this order: bun, hot dog, onions from the foil envelope packet, slaw, chili and mustard. Enjoy!

Recipe created by Chris Grove on behalf of Kingsford™ Charcoal.

  • For safe meat preparation, reference the USDA website.

Kingsford™ charcoal grill with meat cooking outdoors, person turning food with tongs.Charcoal grill with meat cooking outdoors, person turning food with tongs.

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