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Celebrate National Hot Dog Day and explore the hidden superpowers of the humble hot dog

National Hot Dog Day - footlong hot dogs

Let’s dive into the world of the hot dog with some hot dog recipes from around the world!

By Chef Samantha Lazuric – Head of Culinary, Retail

This year, July 17 marks National Hot Dog Day, a celebration of one of the most beloved treats for us at Maple Leaf Foods. That’s right, this delicious and versatile food has its own special day to honour its history, popularity, and diversity. Whether you like your hot dogs grilled, boiled, steamed, or baked, and topped with ketchup, mustard, relish, or chili… there truly is a hot dog for everyone!

In this blog, join us as we take a trip across the globe — hot dog in hand, of course — with five mouth-watering recipes featuring the iconic frankfurter.

5 globally gourmet hot dog ideas for National Hot Dog Day

1. Spicy Vietnamese-Style Salad Dogs

First stop: Vietnam! This vibrant and spicy hot dog variation is the perfect bánh mì (a Vietnamese sandwich) twist to a classic hot dog. These Spicy Vietnamese-Style Salad Dogs are topped with fresh cucumber salad, some chilies, a spicy mayo drizzle, and roasted peanuts, creating an unforgettably refreshing hot dog for the summer. All paired with a toasted bun and our Schneiders Footlong Wieners, experience a taste of Vietnamese fusion right from the comfort of your backyard!

2. Chilean Completo Footlong

Let’s cross the ocean to Chile with our Chilean Completo Footlong – a delightful explosion of South American flavours. This Chilean variation is a crowd favourite that features a hot dog generously loaded with mashed avocados, chopped tomatoes, sauerkraut, and a drizzle of mayonnaise. The creamy and tangy avocado mixture is coupled with some refreshing tomatoes, sauerkraut, and a hearty Schneiders Footlong, and served up in a warm bun – that’s a South American summer in each bite.

3. Currywurst and Fry Dogs

The next stop on our hot dog itinerary is Germany. As the home of the sausage, we’ve got to pay homage to the classic German wursts on this special day! For a taste of Germany, try this Currywurst and Fry Dogs recipe. This recipe is inspired by the popular German street food, currywurst, which is a sausage topped with a rich curry-spiced ketchup and served with crispy fries. To celebrate with a hot dog, combine a Schneiders Juicy Jumbo hot dog with the spicy sweetness of curry ketchup and the satisfying crunch of freshly prepared fries… and you’ve created a delicious ensemble that will transport you straight to the streets of Berlin!

4. Hickory Poutine Dog

All this hot dog travelling is delicious, but we’re starting to miss the taste of home. Why don’t we make a pit stop back in Canada before our final hot dog destination? Here, our beloved hot dog gets a poutine twist with the Hickory Poutine Dog. Our smoked and seasoned Schneiders Cheddar Wieners were seemingly made for this meal, bringing savoury seasoning and creamy cheddar to a favourite Canadian snack. Piled high with cheese curds, gravy, and crispy hickory sticks, this indulgent creation is one you won’t be able to get enough of. Comfort food at its finest, our Hickory Poutine Dog recipe is an irresistible choice for any hot dog enthusiast.

5. Easy Weeknight Greek Flatbread

For the final stop in our hot dogs around the world tour, we’re visiting Greece! In the home of the ancient philosophers, we reflect on the age-old philosophical question… is a hot dog a sandwich? Or does it really matter, as long as it’s delicious? Defy definitions with this Easy Weeknight Greek Flatbread recipe, which features our Schneiders Juicy Jumbos wieners. This unique and delicious hot dog recipe will have you forgetting about the buns – it’s a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal featuring flatbread! Quick to prepare and comes together in minutes on your grill, it’s perfect for weeknights, lunches, or whenever you need a delicious meal that’s not overcomplicated. Tzatziki, crumbled feta, kalamata olives, cucumber, and red onion come together in this harmoniously satisfying dish.

Keep exploring – the possibilities for hot dog toppings are endless

This National Hot Dog Day, step out of your comfort zone and try one of these exciting and flavourful global recipes. Whether you’re in the mood for something spicy, tangy, smoky, or fresh, these international twists on the classic hot dog are sure to send your taste buds on a delicious trip. Gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and get ready to celebrate with these hot dog variations from around the world!