10 Vegan Hot Dog Recipes

Transform your summer barbecue experience by stepping away from the traditional meat options.

There are countless vegan ‘meat’ substitutes now readily available at grocery stores nationwide. These inventive vegan hot dog recipes will delight your friends and family.

You can purchase vegan hot dogs

Vegan hot dogs, now easily purchased at your local store, are becoming a staple in vegan and vegetarian diets and for those reducing their meat consumption. 

Made primarily from plant proteins such as soy, wheat, or pea, these hot dogs contain no animal products. 

However, remember to check the ingredients and nutritional content since some may be high in sodium or additives. Like any food, vegan hot dogs are best enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

What are the best vegan hot dog recipes?

1. Tofu

A healthier and delectable substitute to traditional hot dogs, these tofu hot dogs are simple to prepare and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1/4 cup water
• Hot dog buns
• Toppings of your choice (such as ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, or diced onions)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Drain and rinse the tofu, then wrap it in a clean kitchen towel and place a weight on top to press out the excess liquid for at least 15 minutes.
• Mix the soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, onion powder, black pepper, liquid smoke, and water in a small bowl.
• Slice the pressed tofu into 8 even pieces, then use a knife to make a small slit in the center of each piece.
• Dip each tofu piece in the seasoning mixture, making sure to coat both sides.
• Place the tofu pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
• Serve the tofu hot dogs on buns with your favorite toppings.

2. Homemade Seitan Sausage

Seitan, a protein-rich meat substitute made from wheat gluten, can be formed into sausage shapes and cooked in several ways. It can replace meat-based sausages in hot dogs, breakfast sausages, and Italian sausages.

The process of making homemade seitan sausage involves combining vital wheat gluten with spices, herbs, and other ingredients to create a dough-like mixture.

The mixture is then formed into sausage shapes and cooked by boiling, baking, or grilling. 

3. Chili Cashew Cheese Dog

A burst of flavors, featuring vegan hot dogs, chili, a homemade cashew cheese sauce, sliced jalapenos, and chopped cilantro.

To make a chili cashew cheese dog, you will need:

Ingredients:

• Vegan hot dogs
• Hot dog buns
• Chili (vegan)
• Cashew cheese sauce
• Sliced jalapenos
• Chopped cilantro

For the cashew cheese sauce:

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in water overnight)
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/4 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water as needed

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F
2. Grill or boil the vegan hot dogs according to package instructions
3. Warm the chili in a small saucepan over medium heat
4. Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a high-speed blender or food processor to make the cashew cheese sauce. Add the nutritional yeast, non-dairy milk, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
5. Place the grilled or boiled hot dogs in the buns
6. Top each hot dog with a generous spoonful of chili
7. Drizzle the cashew cheese sauce over the chili
8. Add sliced jalapenos and chopped cilantro on top
9. Place the chili cashew cheese dogs on a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 minutes, until the buns are slightly toasted, and the cheese is melted.
10. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious vegan chili cashew cheese dogs!

4. Smoky Carrot & Maple Syrup

A Smoky Carrot & Maple Syrup hot dog is a vegan hot dog recipe that uses roasted carrots as a substitute for traditional meat-based hot dogs. 

These hot dogs substitute roasted carrots marinated in maple syrup, liquid smoke, and spices for traditional meat. 

Grilled or pan-fried carrots served in a bun with regular hot dog condiments provide a healthy and flavorful twist.

5. Plant-Based Frankfurters & Dairy-Free Butter

Frankfurters crafted from plant-based ingredients serve as a vegan substitute for conventional meat-based hot dogs. These vegan sausages incorporate an assortment of ingredients derived from plants, including soy protein, pea protein, wheat gluten, and vegetable oils. 

With a versatile culinary application, these vegan frankfurters can be grilled, boiled, or pan-seared, seamlessly integrating into various recipes.

Butter, free of dairy constituents, serves as another vegan substitute for classic butter, deriving its foundation from a range of plant-based oils such as coconut, palm, soy, or olive. This vegan spread is a culinary chameleon, perfectly suited for spreading, cooking, or baking, emulating the functionality of traditional butter.

Combining plant-based frankfurters and dairy-free butter is a foolproof method to veganize your hot dog experience while also being dairy-free. 

The frankfurters can be grilled or fried to your liking, nestled in a bun, and lavished with a gamut of toppings from tangy mustard and ketchup to piquant relish or sauerkraut. 

Dairy-free butter can be utilized to toast the buns or enhance the flavor of your chosen toppings. These vegan alternatives offer a scrumptious and health-conscious choice for those seeking to circumvent animal products.

6. Carrot, Tamari & Chives

Carrot, tamari, and chives hot dogs are a delicious and healthy plant-based alternative to traditional hot dogs. They are made with grated carrots, tamari sauce, chives, and other seasonings. 

Here’s a simple recipe to make them:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1/4 cup tamari sauce
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Hot dog buns

Instructions:

1. Combine the grated carrots, tamari sauce, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, chives, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix everything together until well combined.
2. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the carrot mixture into hot dog shapes in the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side until browned and heated through.
3. Serve the carrot hot dogs in hot dog buns with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!

7. Spiralized Carrot, Red Onion & Jalapeños

The Spiralized Carrot, Red Onion & Jalapeños plant-based hot dogs exemplify a unique recipe that adorns your vegan sausages with a dynamic topping of spiralized carrots coupled with sautéed red onions and jalapeños. 

The hot dogs at the core of this recipe can be crafted from an array of plant-based proteins like tofu, seitan, or tempeh. 

With the crunch of spiralized carrots lending a delightful textural contrast, the sautéed onions and jalapeños inject an enticing spiciness into the mix. 

8. Tempeh Bacon & Quick-Pickled Beets

The Tempeh Bacon & Quick-Pickled Beets hot dogs represent a vibrant, plant-based recipe incorporating a topping medley of crispy tempeh bacon and swiftly pickled beets.

To kickstart the process, cook the plant-based hot dogs as per the guidelines on the package. Concurrently, prepare the tempeh bacon by immersing thin tempeh slices in a marinade that infuses the flavors of maple syrup, liquid smoke, soy sauce, and garlic powder, followed by a quick pan-fry till it reaches a crispy golden texture.

For the quick-pickled beets, create a pickling concoction by merging thinly sliced beets, apple cider vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and pickling spices in a saucepan. Upon reaching a boil, scale down the heat and allow it to simmer until the beets soften and the liquid condenses to your preference.

The final assembly combines the cooked hot dogs nestled in the buns, generously layered with the tempeh bacon and pickled beets. 

9. Lentil, Oat Flour & Liquid Smoke

Lentil, Oat Flour & Liquid Smoke hot dogs present an innovative vegan take on traditional meat-based hot dogs. This recipe calls for lentils, cooked until tender, amalgamated with an array of spices, oat flour, and a dash of liquid smoke to formulate a malleable dough. This mixture is meticulously shaped into familiar hot dog forms and baked until perfection is achieved.

The fusion of lentils and oat flour in the recipe offers a substantial source of protein and fiber, ensuring a nutrient-rich meal. The introduction of liquid smoke infuses a tantalizing smoky essence that mimics the flavor profile of conventional hot dogs.

10. Baked Chili & Vegan Cheese

Baked Chili & Vegan Cheese hot dogs offer a delightful reinterpretation of the traditional chili cheese hot dogs, crafted entirely from plant-based ingredients. These vegan hot dogs are baked to perfection, then lavishly adorned with homemade vegan chili and luscious dairy-free cheese.

The chili, brimming with beans, tomatoes, onions, and a touch of chili powder, can be tailored to suit your heat preference, making each bite a customizable experience.

On the other hand, the vegan cheese – a blend of nuts, nutritional yeast, and a medley of seasonings – provides a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth topping that enhances the overall texture and flavor of the hot dogs.

Are vegan hot dogs healthy?

Like any food, the healthiness of vegan hot dogs can vary greatly depending on the specific product and its ingredients.

Vegan hot dogs are typically lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than traditional meat-based hot dogs, made from plant-based ingredients. They can also be a good source of protein, particularly when made with ingredients such as soy or pea protein.

However, not all vegan hot dogs are created equal. Some may be highly processed and contain artificial ingredients, additives, or a high amount of sodium, which can detract from their overall nutritional profile.

Also, while they might be lower in certain nutrients such as saturated fats and cholesterol, they may not provide the same amount or variety of vitamins and minerals found in animal-based hot dogs (e.g., Vitamin B12, heme-iron).

Wow your guests this summer with these vegan hot dog recipes

As the popularity of plant-based diets and veganism continues to grow, vegan hot dogs are becoming more and more common. With various creative recipes, you can easily impress your guests with delicious and healthy vegan hot dogs at your next summer party or BBQ.

From homemade seitan sausages to chili cashew cheese dogs, there are endless possibilities to experiment with.

Whether you’re a vegan or simply looking to provide tasty options for your guests, these recipes will surely satisfy you!

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