{"id":108645,"date":"2026-04-15T13:42:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T17:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/?page_id=108645"},"modified":"2026-04-15T13:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T17:45:21","slug":"what-is-a-new-york-style-hot-dog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.freshdirect.com\/blog\/what-is-a-new-york-style-hot-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a New York-Style Hot Dog?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What Is a New York-Style Hot Dog?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A classic New York-style hot dog is an all-beef frankfurter \u2014 typically simmered in seasoned broth \u2014 served on a plain steamed bun and topped with spicy brown mustard, sauerkraut, and a sweet-and-tangy saut\u00e9ed red onion sauce.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Hot dogs are one of the longest and most celebrated trends of New York City\u2019s long culinary history, but what actually makes a hot dog New York-style? And how have they endured for over a century ever since Nathan\u2019s Famous first opened and popularized the \u201c100% beef frank\u201d we all love? If you are traveling to NYC for the first time, or just want to know how your local hot dog cart does it, here is what goes into a classic New York hot dog.<\/span><\/p>

The Meats: What Goes in a New York Hot Dog<\/b><\/h2>

A truly traditional New York hot dog must use a kosher-style, 100% all-beef frankfurter \u2014 like <\/span>t<\/span><\/a>hese Brooklyn Cured hot dogs<\/span>. And, of course, when you think of a New York hot dog, you likely think of <\/span>Sabrett.<\/span><\/a> They have become the de facto 100% beef frank, and their trademark onion sauce has become so popular that it has turned into the topping of choice for an entire city. Sabrett is the face of the <\/span>modern New York hot dog<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Even now, in 2026, a century after the company was founded, most street carts in New York City still serve Sabrett hot dogs.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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QUICK TIP: What Makes a Hot Dog Kosher?<\/i><\/b><\/h3>

Kosher-style hot dogs follow the same dietary restrictions as kosher food (no pork and natural casing). They often do not, however, observe the more technical restrictions, such as the product being supervised by a Kosher certification agency, and thus are not truly kosher certified.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

For those who closely observe kosher practices, this is an important distinction. For everyone else, you will find the difference between kosher and \u201ckosher-style\u201d hot dogs to mostly just be a legal one.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Other Options<\/b><\/h3>

If beef hot dogs aren’t to your taste, you can substitute <\/span>pork-based sausages<\/span><\/a> and even <\/span>pork and beef blends<\/span><\/a>, but the pure beef frankfurter is NYC\u2019s traditional dog of choice. While beef is the tradition, we\u2019re all for following your taste buds, even if they lead you to a high-quality pork frank. Just remember the golden rule for that authentic street-cart texture: a gentle simmer in seasoned water beats the grill every time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Toppings: What Goes on a New York Hot Dog<\/b><\/h2>

New York\u2019s all-beef hot dogs are topped with spicy <\/span>brown mustard<\/span><\/a> (never yellow) and <\/span>sauerkraut<\/span><\/a> (a fermented cabbage). Then there is onion sauce. Think about it: caramelized onions cooked in tomato paste. It offers a sweet note to counter the meaty flavors of a heavily spiced frank and the acidity of sauerkraut. Onion sauce has come to define the New York hot dog as fully as the all-beef frankfurters and the \u201cdirty water\u201d carts around Central Park.<\/span><\/p>

How Do New York-Style Hot Dogs Compare with Other Cities?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>

Every regional hot dog has its own authentic fixings with a fiercely loyal following. Just don\u2019t ask them which is best unless you want to see a brawl.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

New York-Style Hot Dog vs Chicago-Style Hot Dog<\/b><\/h4>

A primary difference between New York and Chicago hot dogs? While New York hot dogs never have yellow mustard, in Chicago, it\u2019s required.\u00a0 Under all that mustard, Chicago\u2019s hot dogs feature a salad of toppings: chopped white onions, sweet pickle relish, pickled sport peppers, and tomato wedges (but <\/span>never<\/b> ketchup). Toss in a dash of celery salt and a poppy-seed bun, and you have a very particular hot dog.<\/span><\/p>

New York-Style Hot Dog vs Texas-Style Chili Dog<\/b><\/h4>

Texas hot dogs are a particularly indulgent variety. The infamous chili dog, buried under chili, cheese, and jalapenos, is not just iconic in Texas, but worldwide. Texas hot dogs are perhaps the most influential on this list, as they have found their way to NYC\u2019s own streets. You can find New Yorkers starting to adopt chili on their hot dogs in increasing numbers.<\/span><\/p>

New York-Style Hot Dog vs Seattle-Style Hot Dog<\/b><\/h4>

You would be forgiven for thinking the Seattle Dog originated in New York instead of the West Coast. It is, after all, smothered in cream cheese. That shared love of adding cream cheese to anything possible makes Seattle\u2019s hot dog a cultural brother to New York\u2019s. Once you add those deliciously caramelized onions on top, you have a bona fide treat. Honestly, New Yorkers should take note and try this one!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Many Styles of New York Hot Dogs<\/b><\/h2>

Like any cuisine that sticks around long enough, the New York hot dog has picked up a few less-common varieties. The most common difference you will find is a hot dog with no onion sauce, or with a regular red onion instead. Chili is also becoming a popular topping, though the rest of the chili dog has not quite caught on. Many New Yorkers will also insist on a \u201cnatural casing,\u201d which strongly affects the texture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

What Is a Natural Hot Dog Casing?<\/b><\/h3>

A hot dog\u2019s casing is the wrapping that holds it together. Many sausages have artificial casings made of processed collagen. But any true New York hot dog will be made with natural casing, meaning the actual intestine of an animal. Most commonly and authentically, sheep intestines. Natural casings give hot dogs a crispness when you bite into them that many enjoy. Unlike synthetic or skinless varieties, natural casings allow the meat to breathe during cooking, locking in juices while creating a crisp, savory exterior. You might, however, also encounter skinless franks while out and about in New York City.<\/span><\/p>

How To Make Your Own NY-Style Hot Dog<\/b><\/h2>

Hot dogs are exceptionally easy to make, but if you want to make it New York-style, you will want to follow a few very specific steps:<\/span><\/p>

1. Set some water to simmer (not boil) in a pot, then submerge your frankfurter of choice for five to seven minutes.<\/span><\/p>

2. Steam the bun: Put a metal colander or steamer basket over the simmering water, put the bun in the basket, and let it steam until warm. It should only take 30 to 60 seconds.<\/span><\/p>

3. Add your condiments of choice, with any combination of brown mustard, sauerkraut, and onion sauce. You can pick up pre-made onion sauce, but if you are having trouble finding some (or just want to make your own), you can check out our onion sauce recipe.<\/span><\/p>

Enjoy a Good Frank Today<\/b><\/h2>

New Yorkers are famous for their “foodie” opinions, often insisting that if a hot dog isn’t a 100% all-beef frank with a natural casing, it isn\u2019t the real deal. But while we love our culinary heritage, the truth is simpler: the best New York dog is whichever one you find most delicious. Whether you\u2019re grabbing a “dirty water” dog from a street cart by Central Park, enjoying a legendary frank at Nathan\u2019s Famous, or building your own at home with classic onion sauce, the experience is yours to define.\u00a0 The only tradition we truly insist on? For the most tender, juicy results, skip the grill and let your hot dogs simmer. It\u2019s the secret to achieving that authentic hot dog texture every time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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