The secret to Five Guys’ hot dog perfection lies in their unique preparation method. Splitting the hot dogs lengthwise creates maximum surface area for charring, while the steaming technique in foil packets allows flavors to meld beautifully. The combination of quality all-beef hot dogs, properly melted cheese, and the final steaming step creates that distinctive Five Guys experience you can’t get from a regular grilled hot dog.
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What makes the Five Guys Hot Dogs So Good?
You may go to Five Guys for their amazing burgers and fries, but have you ever tried their hot dogs? Sure, they can seem a little bit pricey, but they are delicious! The good news is you can save a bunch of money and recreate the same great taste at home with this copycat version of Five Guys’ Bacon Cheese Dogs.
The recipe starts with a perfectly charred all-beef hot dog, adds a slice of melted American cheese, and plenty of crispy bacon. Pile on all your favorite toppings, and you’ve got yourself one tasty hot dog. Bacon Cheese Dogs are guaranteed crowd-pleasers at your next cookout, so you’ll want to make enough!
Ingredients for Five Guys Hot Dogs
To recreate Five Guys Hot Dogs at home, you’ll need:
- All-beef hot dogs (skinless, such as Hebrew National) – are the stars of the show. Skinless hot dogs give you the best char and don’t have the snap of the casing.
- Hot dog buns (soft, split-top style if possible) – provide a pillow base for the hot dogs and toppings.
- American cheese – melts easily and adds a creamy element.
- Cooked bacon slices – contribute savory and smoky flavors.
- Butter or oil – helps to crisp up the buns and gives them a nice color.
For toppings, you may want to add:
- Ketchup – lends a sweet and sour taste.
- Mustard – adds some acidity.
- Sweet relish – balances the acidity of the vinegar with sweeteners, giving the hot dog more crunch.
- Pickles, sliced – lend acidity without the sweetness of the relish for those who prefer it.
- Pickled jalapenos, rounds – combine acidity with heat instead of sweetness.
- Yellow onion, finely chopped, – adds a little crunch and sharpness to the hot dog.Â
- Grilled yellow onions – contribute a deep, complex sweetness.
- Grilled mushrooms, diced – offer an earthy element.
- Tomato, slices cut in half – add a juicy component with a moderate amount of acidity.Â
How to make Five Guys Hot Dogs
To cook the hot dogs:
- Slice the hot dogs three-quarters of the way through lengthwise. Gently open them and press them so they will stay flat.
- Preheat a skillet, griddle, or grill to medium heat.
- Place the hot dogs, cut-side down, on the cooking surface.
- Let the hot dogs cook undisturbed for two to three minutes. The bottoms should get slightly charred. Turn the hot dogs over and cook for an additional 2 minutes.Â
- While the hot dogs are cooking, lightly butter or oil the inside of the buns and toast them for 15 to 20 seconds.
To finish the dogs:
- Tuck a slice of American cheese into the bun and place the hot dog on top. The warm bun and hot dog should melt the cheese.
- Garnish the Bacon Cheese Dogs with your favorite toppings.
- Here’s the secret to the authentic Five Guys flavor: Wrap the prepared hot dogs in individual packets made from aluminum foil and let them “steam” for a few minutes. This will not only soften the buns but also allow the flavors to meld.
What to serve with Five Guys Hot Dogs
Get the most from your dogs by pairing them with some of these classics:
Sabrett’s Hot Dog Onion Sauce. Take your dogs to the Big Apple with this quintessential hot dog cart topping. Made from gently simmered onions and tomato paste with just even heat and acidity to keep things interesting, Sabrett’s Hot Dog Onion Sauce adds tons of flavor. A perfect way to gussy up your Five Guys Hot Dogs.Â
Original Sonic Onion Rings. Bring back old-school snacking with an order of onion rings. Original Sonic Onion Rings are truly one-of-a-kind because they are dipped in melted vanilla ice cream before getting tossed in cornmeal and fried. This gives these onion rings a slight sweetness and an amazingly addictive crunch.
JoJo’s Potatoes. Potato wedges are good, fries are better, but JoJo’s Potatoes may be the best. These handout potato wedges are dipped in a buttermilk batter and then fried. JoJo’s Potatoes hit the plate with a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Storage & reheating instructions
- Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover hot dogs in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, keeping condiments separate
- Reheating Method:Â Steam in a covered skillet with a small amount of water for 1-2 minutes until heated through. Avoid the microwave, as it makes hot dogs rubbery
- Freezing: Cooked hot dogs freeze for up to 2 months, though the texture may change slightly
Love hot dogs? Try these recipes!
- Cheese-stuffed Hot Dog Casserole
- BBQ Oven Baked Hot Dogs
- Crispy Air Fryer Hot Dogs
- Mini Corn Dogs
- Jollibee Hot Dog Spaghetti
Check out more of my easy dinner recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes on CopyKat!
Five Guys Hot Dogs – Easy Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 all-beef hot dogs skinless, such as Hebrew National
- 4 hot dog buns soft, split-top style if possible
- butter or oil for toasting
- 4 slices American cheese
- 4 slices bacon cooked until crisp (whole slices, not chopped)
- 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
- ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, jalapeños, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, tomato slices (optional toppings)
Instructions
- Slice each hot dog lengthwise without cutting all the way through (butterfly style).
- Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the hot dogs cut side down and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until browned. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes on the other side.
- While the hot dogs cook, lightly butter the inside of the buns. Toast the buns cut side down on the griddle until golden brown.
- Place a slice of American cheese inside each bun, followed by the grilled hot dog. Layer with a slice of bacon, chopped onions, and any optional toppings you like.
- For the authentic Five Guys touch, wrap the hot dogs in foil for 2 to 3 minutes before serving to help the cheese melt and hold everything together.
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