Sabrett’s Hot Dog Onion Sauce Easy Copycat Recipe (NYC Street Cart Style)

Nothing captures the essence of New York City street food quite like the iconic Sabrett’s hot dog topped with their signature onion sauce. This legendary condiment, found on pushcarts throughout Manhattan under those distinctive blue and yellow umbrellas, transforms an ordinary hot dog into an authentic NYC experience. The sauce delivers the perfect balance of tangy tomato flavor, subtle sweetness, and just enough heat to make every bite memorable. Now you can recreate this beloved street cart staple at home and bring the taste of the Big Apple to your own kitchen.

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Sabrett’s Onion Sauce Hot Dog Topping

Walking the streets of Manhattan, you see the Sabrett’s pushcarts everywhere. While these may not be in your town, you can make Sabrett’s special onions in sauce topping for hot dogs with this copycat Sabrett onion sauce recipe.

Sabrett’s hot dog onions in sauce have a delightful tang, rich tomato flavor, a little sweetness, and a slight kick of heat. It’s a delicious hot dog topping; everyone loves those New York hot dog onions. You can buy this onion sauce in a jar, but it will never taste as good! Pre-made is never as good as homemade, don’t you agree?

Sabrett’s hot dogs are New York City’s number one hot dogs. Whenever you order one from a vendor cart under the distinctive blue and yellow umbrella, you will enjoy a wonderfully tasting all-beef hot dog contained in an all-natural casing. NYC just wouldn’t be the same without Sabrett! Plus, if you desire, you can even have your colorful Sabrett umbrella!

Discover the unique taste of this onion sauce for hot dogs that New Yorkers enjoy so much.

Ingredients

• Olive oil – Provides the cooking fat and adds a subtle fruity flavor to the base
• Yellow onions – Break down during long cooking to create the sauce’s foundation
• Water – Helps steam and soften the onions during the initial cooking phase
• Tomato paste – Contributes concentrated tomato flavor and rich color
• Corn syrup – Adds the characteristic sweetness that balances acidity
• Cornstarch – Creates the proper thick consistency for clinging to hot dogs
• Salt – Enhances all flavors and helps draw moisture from onions
• Red pepper flakes – Provide subtle heat and complexity
• White vinegar – Adds the essential tangy element that defines this sauce

How to Make Sabrett’s Hot Dog Onions

Here are the simple steps for making this New York-style onion sauce:

1. Chop and sauté onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat with a pinch of salt.
2. Add water, tomato paste, corn syrup, cornstarch, and salt to the pan. Stir to combine.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Add vinegar and simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes until the liquid is reduced and thickened.

Enjoy this delicious hot dog topping without having to get it on a pushcart in New York.

Best Hot Dog Toppings

Hot dogs are a perfect food. They don’t cost much and are nearly impossible to mess up. Everyone has their own idea about what they want on their hot dog. In fact, there are probably more foods that go well with hot dogs than foods that you would never put on hot dogs. Here are some of the most popular toppings and hot dog condiments:

• Mustard – Mustard is a classic topping. Go with good ol’ yellow ballpark mustard, spicy brown mustard, or Dijon mustard.
• Ketchup – With its rich tomato taste, this is among the most popular hot dog toppings, especially when combined with mustard.
• Cheese – Cheese is a no-brainer. For something different, dress your dog up Seattle-style with cream cheese, but, honestly, any kind of cheese is going to taste good on a hot dog.
• Onions – Onions are another popular addition to hot dogs. They can be diced and served raw, but also sliced, fried, and caramelized. And, of course, there are Sabrett onions.
• Coleslaw – Coleslaw has become an American side dish staple. Coleslaw often accompanies hamburgers, sandwiches, and, of course, hot dogs.
• Sauerkraut – This fermented cabbage dish is popular on hot dogs because of its characteristically tangy and zesty flavor.
• Relish – Add a little sweetness with relish, a condiment made from pickled diced vegetables or fruit. Cucumbers and vinegar are the most common ingredients found in relish.
• Chili – Chili is a hot dog topping that must be cooked instead of simply cut or pickled. It can be made from beans, meat, or a combination. Chili dogs turn a regular dog into something special.

Other Uses For This Onion Sauce

This tasty sauce can be used in many ways. Try it over grilled chicken or pulled pork, on burgers or sandwiches, or as a baked potato topping.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator
• Freezer Storage: Freeze in portioned containers for up to 3 months for longer storage
• Reheating Method: Warm gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through

Love hot dogs? Try these recipes!

• How to Cook Hot Dogs in the Air Fryer
• Oven-Baked Hot Dogs
• Bacon Truffle Mac and Cheese Hot Dog
• Green Bean and Hot Dog Casserole
• Bourbon Hot Dogs

More Onion Recipes

• Fried Onion Petals
• How to Cook a Blooming Onion
• Hot French Onion Dip
• New Orleans French Onion Soup Recipe
• How to Store Chopped Onions
• Home Made Onion Rings

Be sure to check out the best copycat recipes and restaurant sauces.

Thanks to CarolynTLyons for sharing this recipe.