Top-Dog Hot Dogs

These loaded hot dogs go way beyond ketchup and mustard. Each dog gets stacked with sweet relish (or chili sauce for more heat), chopped green pepper, diced onion, fresh tomato, and a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. It’s a fully dressed dog with something interesting in every bite.

The fresh vegetables are what set these apart from a basic backyard dog. Green pepper and onion add crunch, the tomato brings juicy acidity, and the mozzarella melts slightly from the heat of the hot dog and ties all the toppings together.

This is a 10-minute dinner that feels like you put in effort. All the toppings can be prepped while the dogs cook.

Kitchen Tips

• Seed the tomato before chopping. The watery seeds soak into the bun and make it soggy.
• Chop the vegetables small so they sit in the bun without rolling off. Big chunks slide right out.
• If you want the mozzarella fully melted, pop the loaded dogs under the broiler for 30 seconds.

Variations

• Use chili sauce instead of relish and add a stripe of yellow mustard for a chili-cheese dog feel.
• Swap mozzarella for sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a bolder cheese flavor.
• Go Chicago-style: add a dill pickle spear, sport peppers, celery salt, and skip the ketchup.