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Carolina-Style Slaw Dogs

Carolina-Style Slaw Dogs are topped with mustard, homemade chili, and a cool and creamy coleslaw. This is probably the most popular way to top hot dogs in the Carolinas and it happens to be my favorite.

Three Carolina-Style Slaw Dogs on a plate.

I love the sweetness and crunch of the coleslaw in contrast to the slight spiciness of the chili and mustard

These Southern Slaw Dogs are totally suitable for summer cookouts and they are always popular for the 4th of July. The chili can be made ahead of time, as can the coleslaw. Just a few minutes on the grill for the hot dogs and you have a filling meal that can feed a crowd!

Carolina-Style Slaw Dogs with mustard and homemade chili.

Tips For Making The Chili

The ground beef for chili slaw dogs is usually very finely ground. I can never get it that way by breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks or by taking a potato masher to it. One day it dawned on me to just put the chili in a food processor and pulse it a few times. Works like a charm.

Only then you have to clean the food processor.  🙁

Three Chili Slaw Dogs on a plate.

Tips For Making Coleslaw

You can use shredded coleslaw mix, but my store has a chopped coleslaw mix that I like to use. The cabbage is finely chopped and it works really well on a hot dog. Of course you could also use fresh cabbage instead of packaged.

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Carolina-Style Slaw Dog on wood cutting board.

 Great Sides For Hot Dogs

Chili Slaw Dogs

Carolina-Style Slaw Dogs are topped with mustard, homemade chili, and a cool and creamy coleslaw. This is probably the most popular way to top hot dogs in the Carolinas and it happens to be my favorite.
PREP: 10 minutes
COOK: 30 minutes
TOTAL: 40 minutes
SERVINGS: 8

Ingredients

  • 1 (16-ounce) package coleslaw mix
  • 2/3 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Chili

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Hot Dogs

  • 1 package hot dogs
  • 1 package hot dog buns
  • mustard

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Refrigerate until needed.
  • In a large nonstick pan cook the ground beef and onion until ground beef is no longer pink. Crumble the meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Spoon off any excess fat/liquid.
  • Add remaining chili ingredients and cook for about 20 minutes. If chili gets too thick, you can add more water. Let cool slightly and place in a food processor. Pulse 4 to 5 times to finely ground the beef. (Note: This is optional.)
  • Heat grill and grill hot dogs until grill marks form on all sides.
  • To serve, place hot dogs in buns. Top with mustard, chili, and slaw.

Nutrition

Calories: 515kcal
Author: Christin Mahrlig
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: 4th of July

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39 thoughts on “Carolina-Style Slaw Dogs”

  1. natosha evans

    Cant beat hot dogs front NC. especially from my home town of lexington. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

  2. Nixon’s Cole slaw, Patterson Chili, both NC products work great for off the shelf Carolina hot dogs. Add mustard, Texas Pete for desired heat, good to go.

  3. A delicious hotdog. We loved the chili!! It will be my go to recipe from now on. A batch is cooking on the stove now for our camping trip this weekend. I’ll freeze leftovers for next time. Everything blends together for a delicious bite. Thanks so much for sharing!!

  4. Sheila Tupper

    Thank you for taking me back home. I am from Cumberland County, NC and these dogs are famous there. The only thing I would suggest is some added chopped onion (alway served under the chili and slaw) and the hot dogs are boiled and the buns steamed. Then the whole thing in wrapped in a paper or foil square so it continues steaming. Nothing better unless it’s a barbeque sandwich with slaw from the same area.

  5. This recipe has been chosen to be part of our Burgers, Sliders, and Dogs Recipe Roundup – we hope you will help us spread the word by sharing, pinning, and tweeting! All links go directly to your recipes and was hope you get lots of traffic! Kelli and Holli at Yum Goggle

  6. Sam @ SugarSpunRun

    Oh man, I would love these! I love the combination of the cold slaw against the warm hotdog and chili! Looks so good!

    1. Omggggggg!!! I just tried this recipe and loveeeee it. I saw someone post a picture of it on Facebook and I just said that I HAVE to try it. I ran out of ketchup and had to make my own. I thought it would ruin the chili but it didn’t. My boyfriend is here eating everything else but the hot dog itself smh lol. Overall everything was great.

  7. Christin, to get my chili in small enough bits, I add about a cup of water to the mixture, then use a potato masher to mix it all up. You want it soupy enough to get small bits of hamburger, then let it cook down the liquid, which also melds the flavors really well. Just another way to do it without messing up too many appliances, plus it tastes great.

    Ben
    Denver, NC

    1. Christin
      Christin Mahrlig

      Thanks for the tip Ben! I guess I need to add more water to make the potato masher work.

  8. Jess @ whatjessicabakednext

    These slaw dogs look divine! Loving all the flavours – thanks for sharing!

  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Hot dogs are the best, especially in the summer! I’m not a fan of coleslaw, but I would gladly load the chili on this dog. Looks fantastic, Christin!

  10. Jessica @ Sweetest Menu

    I LOVE a good hot dog but these look better than anything I’ve ever had Christin! Seriously dinner at your house must be so good, your family is blessed! 😉

  11. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    I am in the process of moving to North Carolina (from Florida), so when I saw your Carolina dogs, naturally my eye balls got a little bigger! 😀 I’ve had a Carolina dog before, but the one I had was not half as delectable as yours right here! These look scrumptious and I’m thinking I just might HAVE to make these at our house warming BBQ shindig! Thanks for the great idea and for sharing the yum!!! ♡ Cheers!

  12. Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat

    These hotdogs look so fun! I’m usually not one for hotdogs unless they are all dolled up like this one. Camden Yards sells a Crab Mac and Cheese hot dog which is my favorite. I think this would give it a run for it’s money though!

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