Hot Dog Burnt Ends

When you think of burnt ends, the classic brisket version often comes to mind—slow-smoked to perfection, with a crispy, caramelized outer layer. But have you ever considered using hot dogs to make burnt ends? Hot Dog Burnt Ends are a creative and delicious twist on this BBQ favorite, turning your everyday hot dogs into savory, smoky, crispy bites. Whether you’re preparing for a Halloween party, a weekend barbecue, or just craving a fun meal, this recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy the smoky goodness of traditional burnt ends without the lengthy cooking time.

These bite-sized pieces of smoked hot dogs are perfect for appetizers, subs, or even as part of a hearty meal. They offer all the flavor of traditional burnt ends but with much less effort. Let’s walk through the process of creating the perfect BBQ burnt ends from hot dogs.

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Ingredients and Preparation

Essential Ingredients for BBQ Burnt Ends

For this recipe, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients to transform your hot dogs into flavorful burnt ends. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 12 quarter-pound hot dogs
• 2 tablespoons mustard (as a binder)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (as a binder)
• 1/4 cup BBQ rub (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Step-by-Step Preparation Process

1. Preheat the Smoker: Begin by preheating your smoker to 225°F. Hickory wood is an excellent choice for imparting a rich, smoky flavor to the hot dogs.
2. Prepare the Hot Dogs: Slice the hot dogs into 1-inch pieces. These smaller pieces will allow the seasoning to penetrate better, giving you that perfect crispy texture.
3. Apply the Binder: Coat the hot dog pieces lightly with mustard and mayonnaise, which will help the seasoning rub stick to the surface.
4. Season the Hot Dogs: Generously apply the BBQ rub on all sides of the hot dog pieces. The rub is essential for developing that smoky flavor profile that makes BBQ burnt ends so delicious.

By following these simple steps, you’re setting up your smoked sausages for success.

The Smoking Process for Perfect Hot Dog Burnt Ends

Setting Up the Smoker for Hot Dog Burnt Ends

Now that your hot dogs are prepped, it’s time to smoke them to perfection. Here’s how to get that smoky flavor just right:

1. Prepare the Smoker: Set your smoker to 225°F, the ideal temperature for slow smoking. Hickory wood chips will provide the best smoke flavor for your hot dog burnt ends.
2. Smoke the Hot Dogs: Place the seasoned hot dog pieces into the smoker. Let them cook for about 1 hour or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. This will allow the hot dogs to absorb the smoky flavor and get that distinctive burnt look on the edges.
3. Monitor the Temperature: Keep a close watch on the smoker’s temperature and make adjustments if necessary. A consistent 225°F will ensure a slow, even cook.

The smoked hot dogs will take on a deep, rich flavor while keeping their juicy texture.

Cutting and Coating Hot Dog Burnt Ends

Slicing the Smoked Hot Dogs

Once your hot dogs are perfectly smoked, it’s time to cut them into bite-sized pieces and coat them for the burnt end finish.

1. Slice the Hot Dogs: Carefully remove the smoked hot dog pieces from the smoker. Slice them into 1-inch pieces. This size ensures that each piece gets a good amount of seasoning and a crispy outer layer.
2. Add BBQ Sauce, Rub, and Brown Sugar: In a bowl, combine your BBQ sauce, extra rub, and brown sugar. Coat each piece of hot dog with this mixture. The brown sugar will help create that sticky, caramelized coating as the pieces continue to cook.
3. Toss Them: Make sure the hot dog pieces are evenly coated with the sauce and rub for a flavorful exterior.

This coating will give your BBQ burnt ends the signature sticky, crispy exterior that makes them irresistible.

Finishing the Hot Dog Burnt Ends

Caramelizing and Crisping Hot Dog Burnt Ends

The final step is to achieve the perfect caramelized, crispy exterior on your hot dog burnt ends. Here’s how to do it:

1. Increase the Smoker Temperature: Raise the smoker temperature to 375°F after the hot dogs have been coated with the sauce. This higher temperature will help caramelize the sugars and get that perfect crispy exterior.
2. Stir the Pieces: Stir the pieces every 10-15 minutes to ensure they cook evenly and don’t burn. This will help the hot dog burnt ends crisp up beautifully on all sides.
3. Check for Doneness: Continue to cook the pieces for an additional 20-30 minutes, until they reach your desired level of caramelization and char.

Your smoked sausages will have the perfect balance of crispy edges and tender centers by the end of this step.

Serving Suggestions for Hot Dog Burnt Ends

How to Serve Hot Dog Burnt Ends

Once your hot dog burnt ends are finished, there are several ways you can serve them:

1. Appetizers: Serve them as a fun, shareable appetizer with dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or extra BBQ sauce.
2. Sub Sandwiches: Pile the burnt ends onto a toasted sub roll, add some cheese, and drizzle more BBQ sauce. It’s a simple yet delicious sandwich.
3. Poboys: For a Southern-style take, add the hot dog burnt ends to a po’boy roll, and top with lettuce, tomato, and pickles.

You can also experiment with smoked sausages or even wrap the burnt ends in bacon for extra flavor.

Hot Dog Burnt Ends

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• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 1.6hours

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Description

Hot Dog Burnt Ends are a creative and delicious twist on the classic BBQ favorite. Transform hot dogs into savory, smoky, crispy bites. A quick and easy BBQ recipe for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 quarter-pound hot dogs
• 2 tablespoons mustard (as a binder)
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (as a binder)
• 1/4 cup BBQ rub (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite kind)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

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Instructions

1. Preheat the smoker to 225°F using hickory wood chips.
2. Slice hot dogs into 1-inch pieces.
3. Coat hot dog pieces with mustard and mayonnaise as a binder.
4. Apply BBQ rub generously on all sides of the hot dogs.
5. Smoke for 1 hour until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
6. Coat smoked hot dog pieces with BBQ sauce, rub, and brown sugar.
7. Increase smoker temperature to 375°F and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until the burnt ends are caramelized and crispy.

Notes

These burnt ends are perfect for a Halloween party, a weekend BBQ, or a fun meal anytime!

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1.5 hours

Final thoughts

Hot Dog Burnt Ends are a quick and flavorful twist on the classic BBQ burnt ends. Whether you’re serving them as appetizers, subs, or simply enjoying them on their own, these smoky bites are sure to impress. The smoked sausages bring the perfect combination of smoky, crispy, and tender textures, making this dish a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

Don’t forget to experiment with different sauces or toppings to make these BBQ burnt ends your own! For more fun and easy recipes, check out our other hot dog recipes and smoker recipes

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