“The perfect way to have your hot dog and be keto too! Make this fun gourmet hot dog bar with or without buns to fit all your friends and families needs at your next picnic or summer BBQ.”

Low Carb Gourmet Hot Dog Bar

The summer season has officially arrived and many are celebrating this lovely Memorial Day weekend with a BBQ. Summer holiday weekends were made for hot dogs and hamburgers. It’s part of the American culture to bust out the grill and crack a cold beer and celebrate. As a low carb dieter, eating a bunless hot dog however has left me rather bored if I am being completely honest.  So, let’s take the basic hot dog and switch it up. I got a lil fancy with my hot dog game and created a Low Carb Gourmet Hot Dog Bar that both non low carbers and low carbers can enjoy! I made 5 signature dogs that my guests could recreate either with or without a bun! Find each version listed below and bring your A-game this holiday weekend (cause my students are always A students).

School Supplies:

Tools may vary depending on the types of ingredients you add to your Low Carb Gourmet Hot Dog Bar.

• Grill
• Tongs
• Large Platter
• Small bowls & serving spoons
• Paper Trays (Linked the ones pictured here)
• Napkins, because mustard

The Hot Dogs:

So, I actually have some beef  to pick with hot dogs (pun intended). Obviously, it’s well known that hot dogs are highly processed and probably not the healthiest of choices for food. In the low carb world, I see so many people who rely on these as a staple in their diet. I get it, life gets busy and you want something delicious that is also lower in carbs. But. it’s still a hot dog!

When I make the occasional hot dog, I actually try to buy the highest quality dogs that are available. Here is what I look for- a hot dog that is all beef, has a natural casing, and has little additives. I love the organic hot dogs I purchased at Trader Joe’s (pictured in today’s post), even at the $6 price point. They are also only one net carb and are more minimally processed.

I also really love the Boars Head brand as well. Ok, I’ll get off my hot dog soapbox now. I grilled these hot dogs, wrapped some in bacon, and spiralized a few for fun too! Now, onto the fanciest low carb hots dogs ya ever did see…

The Chicago Dog-

AKA “run it through the garden”. I was born and raised in the Chicago area and a good ol’ Chicago dog has never let me down. The first rule of a Chicago style hot dog is NO KETCHUP. EVER. That would be a grave sin against humanity and probably prompt a full on riot if you did this locally.

Ingredients:

• All Beef Hot Dog
• Large Pickle Spear
• Tomato Slices
• Sport Peppers
• Pickle Relish (I used dill to keep it keto)
• Diced Onions
• Yellow Mustard
• Celery Salt
• Optional- Poppy Seeds (to mimic the classic S. Rosen buns)

Directions:

To go bunless- Butterfly the hot dog open. This makes it easier to add the diced onions and relish. So, add the diced onions and relish. Add a pickle spear to one side and a few slices of tomato to the other. Slide on a few sport peppers (mine were super tiny because these were a harder find here in K.C), and a beautiful squiggle (clearly a culinary term if I ever heard one) of mustard, and top it all off with a little sprinkle of celery salt. The celery salt addition is one of my favorite parts!

The Chili Dog-

Believe it or not, chili can be fairly high in carbs. The beans (obviously), tomatoes, peppers, and onions all carry a higher carb count. Use my Low Carb Beef Chili recipe for this hot dog and keep it on the lower end!

Ingredients:

• All Beef Hot Dog
• Low Carb Beef Chili
• Diced Onions
• Shredded Cheese (I used cheddar)

Directions:

Place some chili in the tray. Add a whole or diced up hot dog to your chili and garnish with a little diced onion and shredded cheese! Add a bit of hot sauce if you want an additional kick of heat.

The Vietnamese Inspired Dog:

This is a Bahn Mi inspired hot dog. Kimchi would also be a great addition if you have some!

• All Beef Hot Dog
• Shredded Cabbage Mix
• 1 Jalapeno, Sliced
• 2 Radishes, Sliced
• 1/4 cup Cucumber, Sliced
• 2 Tbsp. Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1/4 cup Mayo
• Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl. Mix well. Place a grilled, spiralized hot dog over some slaw and serve!

The Avocado Dog:

This hot dog has a ton of flavor and is oh-so satisfying! Give it a try!

Ingredients:

• All Beef Hot Dog
• 1-2 Rice Avocados, Diced
• 1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
• 3-4 Tbsp. Feta Cheese or Fresh Mozzarella
• Salt & Pepper
• Drizzle of Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:

Combine the avocado, tomato, and feta (pictured) together in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Dice the hot dog and place on top. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve!

The Bacado Dog:

Clearly I love me some avocado! This is a delicious brunch inspired hot dog. Guys, did I mention there was bacon!?

• All Beef Hot Dog (Bacon Wrapped and Grilled)
• 1/4 Avocado Sliced
• 1 Sunny side up- Egg
• Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Wrap a slice of bacon around a hot dog and grill it till the bacon adheres and is crispy. Fry an egg sunny side up (my preference) and place in a tray with the bacon wrapped dog and some sliced avo’s. Add a bit of salt and pepper and enjoy!

I hope you loved these fun fancy Low Carb Hot Dog Bar I put together. They are a really fun way to mix and match different flavors and keep things fun (and low carb) for your guests this weekend. You can even do this with burgers too! Sub in some buns for those that eat carbs so they can partake in all the deliciousness too.

Please tag me in any photos from your weekend gatherings on my Instagram page so I can see how you made your own Low Carb Hot Dog Bars! Wishing you all a Happy and SAFE Memorial Day weekend. Remember what this weekend is about as you enjoy and relax at your BBQ with friends and family. Thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve.

All my best!

Bon Appeteach,

-L

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