Hot Dog Trends
Who doesn’t love hot dogs? They’re ubiquitous at summer barbecues, nostalgic, and delicious, so it’s no wonder that today’s consumer is applying their adventurous palate and seeking new twists on this classic favorite. Whether a hot dog is a sandwich or not (let’s not start that debate), one thing is for sure–it’s a favorite that‘s not going anywhere anytime soon.
New ways of cooking
Most people tend to think of hot dogs as being broiled or grilled, but these methods are far from the only ways to prepare your dogs. Some vendors are steaming both hot dogs and buns; others are deep-frying to sinfully crispy deliciousness. Some frankfurters are getting slashed mercilessly and grilled to smoky perfection until they soak up the maximum amount of saucy toppings.
Hot dogs for the discerning foodie
“Fancy” and “hot dog” are probably not terms that you ever thought you’d hear in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what’s happening this year. Even high-end chefs are noticing this trend and adding hot dogs to their repertoires. Frankfurters are being presented in visually-striking ways and served with unusual toppings such as fried egg, arugula, garlic aioli, guacamole, bleu cheese, mango salsa, caramelized onions, pesto, and many more that put ketchup and mustard to shame.
An Asian twist
Asian flavors are becoming more and more popular, and these tastes are crossing food categories–including on and in hot dogs. All manner of Asian favorites are finding their way onto hot dog buns, including Filipino sausage, wagyu beef, and kimchee. Japanese, Vietnamese, and Korean twists are the most popular, but Thai and Chinese flavors are emerging, too. Look for toppings such as carrot slaw, Sriracha aioli, fresh cucumber jalapeno, cilantro, and dressings containing soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, lime juice, and hoisin sauce. Yum!
Go brat or go home
Hot dogs will always be near and dear to many people’s summertime hearts, but still, it’s tempting to take it up a notch with a delicious, juicy brat now and then. Like their precooked, non-German counterparts, brats are welcoming lots of new and unique flavors and toppings including pineapple teriyaki, mango habanero, Asian pear and pepper, and cherry cayenne.