How to Make West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce Recipe

I don't think I've ever been more excited to share a recipe with you.  If you've been following me for any amount of time you'll know that I'm a proud West Virginia girl.  West Virginians get a lot of flack, but anyone who's ever come here will tell you that you'll never find more honest and genuine people than here in my beloved state.  That same thing rings true in our food, it's honest and genuine.  No frills or fuss needed and this WV Hot Dog Sauce Recipe is the perfect example of that.  

Birthed out of our "pot luck" traditions in the 1920's, West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce demonstrates beautifully how we turn simple ingredients into something really special and I can't wait to share my family's recipe with you so...

Let's Get Started!


West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce is not a chili or a red sauce, but something in the middle.  Every family has their own way of making it, and everyone's momma's is the best. To make my family's West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce you're going to need a few simple ingredients.

• 1lb Ground Chuck
• 2-3 c Water
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Paprika (I like to used smoked, but it's not necessary.)
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 2 tsp Kosher Salt
• 1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tbsp Dried Minced Onions
• 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 c Ketchup
• 1/4 c Brown Sugar
• 1/4 c Worcestershire Sauce

To get things started you'll need to place the ground chuck into a sauce pan.

Next cover the beef with cold water.

Using a spatula break up the meat in the water.

Bring the meat and water to a boil, making sure all the meat is broken up into small pieces. Once it has come to a rolling boil, lower to a simmer.

While your meat is simmering away in the pan, you can add the spices.

Stir everything together and let the meat and spiced simmer, uncovered, for an hour and a half.

After your hour and a half simmer, you're going to mix together the ketchup and brown sugar in a small dish.

Next add the Worcestershire sauce and mix it in as well.

Add to the meat and spice mixture on the stove, and stir until everything is combined.

Simmer, uncovered, for another 30 minutes and taste for seasoning.

And there you have it!  This West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce may not look like a lot, but this is absolute Red Gold!  It will take your hot dog from average to out of this world in 2 tablespoons!

 But if you REALLY want to take things to another lever I recommend whipping up a West Virginia Slaw Dog!  So the next time you're hosting a BBQ or just grilling on a Saturday, whip of a batch of my family's West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce!  You won't regret it.  I would also love to hear how YOUR family make their sauce so let me know in the comments below.  And as always...

Happy Eating, Happy Reading, and Happy Living,
~The Kitchen Wife~