Beef hot dogs are a classic American food that many of us grew up eating Whether you’re cooking them at a backyard BBQ, summer camp, or just a quick weeknight dinner, proper boiling times are key to getting the best texture and flavor Undercook them and you’ll end up with raw centers. Boil them too long and you risk dried out, rubbery dogs that split down the middle. No one wants that!
So how long should you boil beef hot dogs to perfection? Read on for tips, tricks, and timing guidelines to help you turn out plump, juicy franks every time.
Why Boiling Is the Best Cooking Method for Hot Dogs
There are lots of ways you can cook hot dogs – grilling, pan frying, broiling, microwaving, and more. But boiling has some major advantages that make it the ideal preparation technique:
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It’s quick and easy Just fill a pot with water, drop in the dogs, and boil No fancy equipment needed.
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Very little cleanup. The only dirty dish is the pot you boiled them in.
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Distributes heat evenly. The hot water surrounds the entire surface of the dog for even cooking. No cool spots.
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Makes them extra juicy. Boiling plumps up the hot dogs and keeps them moist.
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Safely cooks from frozen. You can boil frozen hot dogs – no need to thaw first.
So if you want fast, simple, and delicious beef hot dogs, boiling is the way to go. Now let’s look at exactly how long that boiling should take.
Boiling Times for Regular Beef Hot Dogs
For average-sized beef franks (around 5-6 inches long), boiling times will be:
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Refrigerated hot dogs – Boil for 5 to 7 minutes
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Frozen hot dogs – Boil for 10 to 12 minutes
These times allow for thorough cooking while avoiding split casings or dried out centers. If boiling a pack of 8 hot dogs, stay on the longer end of each range to ensure even cooking.
As the hot dogs boil, you’ll see them plump up. That’s a sign they’re cooking through. You can also cut into one dog at the minimum cook time to check if the center is hot.
Pro tip: Add 0.5 to 1 teaspoon of salt per quart of water to boost flavor. Some also like adding garlic, onion powder, bay leaves, or other spices to the water.
Cooking Times for Jumbo and Foot Long Hot Dogs
If boiling extra-large beef hot dogs (1/4 pound dogs or foot longs), increase the cooking times to:
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Refrigerated jumbo hot dogs – Boil for 9 to 11 minutes
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Frozen jumbo hot dogs – Boil for 14 to 16 minutes
The extra size means you need a couple more minutes for the heat to fully penetrate to the middle.
Again, start checking dogs at the low end of the time range by cutting into one. If still pink inside, continue boiling and testing every minute until the beef is cooked through.
How to Tell When Hot Dogs Are Done Boiling
Besides using the recommended boil times, there are a few visual cues that your hot dogs are cooked:
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The beef will turn from pink to brown/gray throughout.
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The casings will become darker and slightly wrinkled.
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They will plump up and float more. Many all-beef hot dogs will float the entire time, but some natural casing dogs may not.
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Cutting into one dog will show no raw pink spots. Hot dog centers should reach 160°F.
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Juices will run clear with no traces of pink.
Once done, remove the dogs from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
Then pile them into buns and add your favorite toppings! Mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, and sauerkraut are classic hot dog accompaniments.
Chili, cheese, bacon, jalapenos, or coleslaw also make tasty additions to spice up your dogs.
More Tips for Perfectly Boiled Beef Hot Dogs
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Use a large pot so the dogs have room to float. Avoid crowding them together.
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Add hot dogs slowly to prevent boiling water from splashing.
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Use medium-high heat to bring the water to a steady boil. High heat may cause foaming and overflow.
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Don’t pierce or poke the hot dogs with a fork prior to boiling. This can cause them to split open.
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Bulk boil a pack of hot dogs by using more water in a bigger pot. Then you’ll have extras ready for quick reheating later.
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After boiling, you can briefly pan fry split hot dogs to add crispiness.
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Boiling hot dogs in beer, wine, or broth adds extra flavor. Use medium heat so alcohol doesn’t boil off too quickly.
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Don’t boil different meat hot dogs together. Cook pork, turkey, and beef franks separately for food safety.
Grilling vs. Boiling Hot Dogs
While boiling is quick and easy, grilling can add great flavor from charring the outside crust. If you want to grill beef hot dogs:
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Use medium-high heat. Avoid flare-ups from too high heat.
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Roll the dogs frequently to prevent burning.
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Cook for 4-6 minutes until fully heated and nicely browned.
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Finish plumped dogs by simmering in boiling water 1 minute to reheat centers.
So for convenience, boiling is best. But the next time you fire up the backyard grill, consider tossing on some dogs for extra smoky flavor before dressing them up with your favorite toppings and condiments.
No matter which cooking method you use, following the recommended boiling times for beef hot dogs ensures you’ll end up with the perfect franks – juicy, plump, and deliciously doggone satisfying! Give these guidelines a try for your next backyard BBQ, camping trip, or for grilling up a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will devour.
How to Boil a Hot Dog
- Add water. Add the water to a large saucepan and stir in the salt, if using. I recommend using salt, simply because it helps the water boil faster! Toss a pinch of salt into the pot and cover it with a lid – you’ll be surprised at how quickly the water comes to a boil.
- Toss in the hot dogs. Once the water comes to a boil over medium heat, carefully add the hot dogs to the boiling water.
- Simmer. Turn the heat to low and simmer the hot dogs for 4-5 minutes. If your hot dogs are frozen, simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Serve. Once cooked, removed the hot dogs from the water, and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Round One: To Slice or Not to Slice?
For the juiciest hot dog, do not slice it. This does invite risk, as hot dogs with no vent for steam may explode in specific conditions—but I think it’s a risk worth taking. (Especially if, like me, you are cooking hot dogs that contain no molten cheese.)
The No Cut hot dogs produced by my Round One trials were noticeably juicier (and larger, having retained more liquid) than the Spiral-Cut and Slashed hot dogs, with the Slashed hot dogs in second place.
If juiciness is less of a priority than aesthetic appeal, you may consider embracing the Spiral-Cut, which elicited a not-immaterial amount of glee. And if toppings are your greatest priority, turn to the Slashed, which provides a moat for ketchup and mustard to act as glue for tiny chopped toppings like onion, herbs, pickled radish, or crushed potato chips.
- Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Once the butter has foamed and the foam has subsided, add 1 hot dog to the skillet.
- Sear, shifting every minute or so, until plumped and beginning to brown on each side, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Meanwhile, slice one side of a hot dog lengthwise, about 1/3-inch deep.
- Once the butter has foamed and the foam has subsided, add 1 hot dog to the skillet. Sear, shifting every minute or so, until plumped and beginning to brown on each side, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Meanwhile, slice a hot dog crosswise in a spiral pattern, about 1/3-inch deep.
- Once the butter has foamed and the foam has subsided, add 1 hot dog to the skillet. Sear, shifting every minute or so, until plumped and beginning to brown on each side, 3 to 4 minutes.
How To Boil Hot Dogs // How long to boil hot dogs
FAQ
How long do beef hot dogs take to boil?
- Prepare the water: Fill a pot with enough water to fully submerge the hot dogs.
- Bring to a boil: Heat the water over high heat until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Add the hot dogs: Once boiling, add the hot dogs to the pot.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to a low simmer.
- Cook time: Boil for 4-6 minutes for refrigerated hot dogs, or 9-10 minutes for frozen hot dogs.
- Check for doneness: The hot dogs should be heated through and plumped up. You can also check the texture to ensure they are cooked to your liking.
- Remove and drain: Once cooked, remove the hot dogs from the pot with tongs and drain them on a paper-towel-lined plate.
How long to boil beef for dogs?
- General Cuts of Beef: Simmer until the beef is cooked through, which will take about 15-20 minutes.
- Beef Liver: Boil for 15-20 minutes according to Woof Dog Products.
- Beef Heart: Boil for 30-40 minutes or bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes.
- Marrow Bones: Boil for at least 10-15 minutes to kill bacteria.
- Ground Beef: Cook and stir until browned, then drain the grease.
- Simmering: Keep the water at a gentle simmer, not a rapid boil.
- Cooling: Always allow the cooked beef to cool completely before offering it to your dog.
Do you need to poke holes in hot dogs before boiling?
Avoid poking or splitting your dogs.
By poking and prodding your dogs, you release the delicious juices that make them juicy,” Sidoti said. Instead, gently turn your hot dogs using tongs to ensure their casings stay intact and full of flavor.
How long does it take to boil a hot dog?
Allow to come to a full rolling boil for 5 minutes. Turn the burner off, drain and serve. Bring small saucepan filled halfway with water to simmering boil on high. Add hot dogs to boiling water. This will stop boiling, but leave heat alone, it will boil again. Once water returns to boil, hot dogs will heat through in about 5 minutes.
Can You boil beef hot dogs?
Boiling beef hot dogs is a popular cooking method that results in a juicy and flavorful meal. Whether you’re grilling, steaming, or boiling these delicious sausages, each method has its own unique advantages. Boiling beef hot dogs involves submerging them in a pot of boiling water until they are fully cooked.
Can You boil hot dogs too long?
Boiling hot dogs for too long can cause them to become tough and rubbery, and they may even split open. Instead, boil them for 2-3 minutes, which is enough to heat them thoroughly. Never start boiling hot dogs in cold water; this increases the chances of the hot dogs splitting open. Instead, add hot dogs to water that is already simmering.
How long does it take to cook a hot dog?
Boil 5 minutes for refrigerated dogs or 10 minutes for frozen dogs. For jumbo size wieners, add 3 minutes extra. Using tongs again, remove the dogs to a plate for dressing. Serve hot. Hot Dogs: Buying quality hot dogs will reduce the likelihood of blemishes and split casings.
How long do you boil a hot dog in a frying pan?
Boil the hot dogs for 6 minutes. Cooking your Frankfurt for 6 minutes is long enough to get them piping hot but short enough to keep them from splitting down the middle. Avoid letting the hot dogs split, since they’ll lose a lot of flavor if they do. If you’re boiling a large pack of hot dogs, they may need extra cooking time.
Can You boil Hotdogs on a stovetop?
Hotdogs can easily be boiled on your stovetop. It’s a quick process; simply get your hotdogs boiling and by the time you’ve heated up your buns they should be ready to go. If you’re really pushed for time, you can also boil hotdogs in the microwave – see our guide here. SEE ALSO: How Long Do Hot Dogs Last?