How to Make Healthy Hot Dogs

By Andrea Cohen
Published 7/23/2025
In This Article
How to Make Healthy Hot Dogs
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Hot dogs don’t have the healthiest reputation, but with a few smart swaps, they can be enjoyed on occasion as part of a healthy diet. Whether you’re planning a summer cookout or just want an easy weeknight dinner, knowing how to make healthy hot dogs can help you enjoy this popular food without going overboard on sodium, saturated fat, or refined carbs.

Here are answers to common questions about how to make hot dogs healthier, along with tips for choosing better-for-you ingredients to create healthy summer grilling meals.

Do you have suggestions for healthy hot dog recipes?

Healthy hot dog recipes usually start with organic, uncured hot dogs or those made from turkey or chicken. Choosing lower sodium hot dogs is recommended, especially if you’re watching your salt intake, so check nutrition labels. Grilling hot dogs locks in flavor without adding additional fat. Adding healthy toppings and getting creative with what hot dogs are served on and with can round out a delicious meal.  

Our healthy hot dog recipe is a uniquely tasty way to enjoy a better-for-you hot dog. In this recipe, hot dogs are grilled to perfection and then topped with a salsa made from mango, avocado, corn, tomato, onion, and jalapeno. The hot dog and salsa combo is then housed in a grilled zucchini boat, which is simply a halved zucchini that is scooped out, lightly seasoned, and grilled until slightly charred. The result is an interesting take on a hot dog that has so many flavors competing for your attention that you simply want to keep eating more!

Grilled Hot Dogs

Heart Healthy Grilled Hot Dogs
Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
30 mins
View Recipe

What kind of hot dog is the healthiest?

When it comes to healthier hot dogs, those made from turkey or chicken are usually a better choice. Healthy turkey hot dogs or links made from chicken usually have less saturated fat than pork or beef hot dogs.  Just check the amount of sodium in seemingly healthy hot dogs. Low sodium hot dogs should have under 400mg of sodium each, and preferably less (keep in mind that even low sodium hot dogs are not a low sodium food). Choose brands with no nitrates or nitrites and check the nutrition label for hot dogs with few or no preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients.

What’s the best way to cook a healthy hot dog?

When it comes to how to make a hot dog healthy, the way you cook it can have some impact on the meal’s healthfulness. Grilling hot dogs is a great option because it adds flavor without adding extra fat. You can also boil, steam, bake, or broil hot dogs. It’s recommended that you avoid battering and deep-frying hot dogs, as is done in many corn dog recipes, since doing so adds a lot of extra fat, carbs, and calories. If you’re not sure how long to cook hot dogs, check the directions on the package. Some hot dogs may cook faster than others, depending on what they’re made from and how big they are.

What should I look for in a healthy hot dog bun?

Skip the refined white buns and instead choose a healthier hot dog bun the next time you’re grilling up some weiners. Healthy hot dog buns should ideally be 100% whole grain, with at least 2 to 3 grams of fiber per serving. Look for buns with less than 150 calories and under 150 mg of sodium. You can also find low-carb or gluten-free hot dog buns if that works better for your diet.

What if I don’t want to use a hot dog bun?

One of the best ways to make a hot dog healthier is by skipping the bun, which adds a lot of calories and sodium (even though it doesn’t taste salty) to your meal. Instead, get creative like we did in our healthy hot dog recipe by using veggies to house your hot dog. We used grilled zucchini, but you can also wrap hot dogs in lettuce leaves, grilled pepper halves, or even potato slices. You can also enjoy low carb hot dogs by skewering them and eating them on a stick, with no bun required.

What are some healthy side dishes for hot dogs?

Instead of heavy sides like salads made with lots of mayo or bowls of greasy potato chips, pair hot dogs with lighter summer sides for a healthier meal. Here are a few healthy sides for hot dogs to round out your summer barbecue:

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