Should You Be Marinating Your Hot Dogs? My Family Had Opinions

If you're planning on grilling this weekend, read this first.

For me, summer weekends are all about grilling, preferably with a cocktail in hand. I grill everything from chicken thighs to veggie kabobs, but nothing hits quite like a classic hot dog. So I was instantly intrigued when one of my favorite TikTok accounts, Mama Jill, shared how she marinates and seasons her hot dogs before grilling them. After seeing how good her finished hot dogs looked, I immediately knew I had to try this trick for myself.

What Are Marinated Hot Dogs?

Quite simply, marinated hot dogs are frankfurters that have been soaked in a flavor booster before being grilled or pan-fried. Mama Jill recommends using Italian dressing and your favorite seasoning blend. You can also make a homemade marinade using ketchup, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. I've also spotted mustard-based marinades online, and I can't wait to try one.

How to Make Marinated Hot Dogs

To make marinated hot dogs, pour Zesty Italian dressing (or your favorite marinade) over the franks and let them sit for about 30 minutes before grilling. Just before putting them on the grill, season the hot dogs with your favorite spice blend. One thing I would stress when making marinated hot dogs is to choose a salt-free seasoning blend. Between the hot dogs and the Italian dressing, this recipe can get too salty fast. If you can find low-sodium dressing, I would recommend using it here.

Just like the original TikTok video, I used Ball Park 100% All Beef Franks to test out this hack. I marinated half the package and kept the other half as is. My husband grilled them up, and we did a side-by-side taste test.

What Do Marinated Hot Dogs Taste Like?

Like all good hot dogs, you need the perfect balance of slight char on the outside and juicy, meaty flavor on the inside. Marinated hot dogs take that to the next level, with a slightly tangy flavor thanks to the vinegar in the dressing. It primarily adds flavor to the outside of the hot dog. I also loved the garlicky flavor that the dressing gave the hot dogs. Once I added ketchup and mustard, though, the hot dogs were nearly the same as the plain ones. My daughter gave the marinated hot dog pieces a try and found them too salty for her liking. Like all things, this is totally up to personal preference.

Related: These Marinated Chicken Recipes Recreate Your Restaurant Favorites

The Verdict on Marinated Hot Dogs

I am definitely "team salty snacks," and I loved the marinated hot dogs. In fact, I can't wait to make this grilling recipe again. However, if you find hot dogs salty as-is, I'd skip the marinating step. I think marinating hot dogs is a great idea if you choose ingredients that are low in sodium. Look for low-sodium dressings or marinades and salt-free seasoning blends. I'm going to try making a homemade rub for my next batch. I like to make our Smokehouse Rub to add a bit of BBQ flavor to each bite.

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