How to Make Healthy Hot Dogs

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.

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.

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.

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.