13 Things You Should Be Putting On Your Hot Dog, But Aren't

Hot dogs are the ultimate American comfort food. Whether you love your dogs grilled up in the backyard, served hot and fresh at the ballpark, or smothered in sophisticated toppings, there's almost certainly a hot dog style or type near and dear to your heart. You can find mouthwatering regional and local takes on hot dogs no matter where you live in the United States, or get your favorite dog patty-style instead of the traditional way in a bun.

Although ketchup and mustard will always be perennial hot dog topping favorites, there's a whole galaxy of different tastes and textures out there. From spicy to sweet to wonderfully off the wall and wacky, these are some of the new and adventurous foods that you should consider topping your next dog with. Best of all, you can find them at virtually any shop around the country or even in your pantry right now.

According to one Redditor, it doesn't get much finer than a hot dog piled high with tomatoes, feta, and maybe an olive or two. This fresh Greek-inspired combo works because it cuts back on the fat from the hot dog itself and infuses bold and bright flavors in every bite. Since we already know that ketchup and hot dogs work wonders together, it's not surprising that chunks of tomato accomplish the same thing. The feta adds a sharp, cheesy bite that pairs perfectly with ripe, juicy tomato slices.

Add a few cucumber moons to the mix if you want to go full-on. Although cucumber might seem like a strange topping for your favorite hot dog, the coolness of the veggie works in brilliant contrast with the hot dog itself. Finally, homemade or store-bought tzatziki rounds off the dish. While you don't technically need it, the tanginess and creaminess of the sauce wraps it all together.

Although freshly chopped onions are, as noted by NPR, the ideal companion to any tasty hot dog, there's something simply divine about sautéed or caramelized onions. As with many of the other toppings on our list, slow-cooked onions bring a satisfying dose of sweetness to your charred hot dog. Plus, texturally, they go well with a crunchy, toasted bun and a nicely cooked dog and are one of the more gourmet toppings on our list.

The key to melt-in-your-mouth caramelized onions is patience. These babies have to cook low and slow until they get that golden, richly caramel-colored hue and fantastic flavor. Per Slate, a bit of butter, some olive oil, and sliced onion, plus at least 45 minutes, is all you need to dive headfirst into sweet onion heaven. But, if you're looking for a textural difference, you can also throw in some raw or fried onions for contrast and some additional flavor.

As noted by the BBC, pineapple on pizza is about as polarizing as it gets, although most people will tell you not to knock it until you've tried it. The same goes for hot dogs, which get a fruity glow up from some sunny-hued pineapple salsa piled on top. Known as the hula dog, this fantastic dish originated in Hawaii. Per OC Register, it made its way to the mainland, thanks to the twin flavors of sweet, tropical pineapple, and sriracha.

Although you can get super fancy and make your hula dog with pineapple salsa, some purists love to simply pile on the fruit and enjoy the delicate dance of sweet and savory. Although sriracha is the original hula dog spice, you can use any hot sauce that you have on hand or simply forgo it altogether. The beauty of this sweet and sassy dog is its simplicity and unexpected flavor profile.

The best hot dog toppings are all about contrast. Piling freshly roasted corn on top of a perfectly cooked hot dog and a piping hot bun is an excellent example of execution and primo flavor pairing. As Food Network points out, sweet roasted corn compliments the richness of a meaty hot dog, and you can brighten up the whole thing with some citrus.

If you like your dogs hot, throw on some chili powder, jalapenos, or even a little cheese. A mix of hot sauce and mayo wouldn't be amiss either. Purists can simply go with the corn and the hot dog, reveling in the sophisticated interplay of flavors and textures. Although you can get this masterpiece in plenty of places all around the country, it's easy enough to replicate at home. Just make sure that you use fresh, not canned corn, and roast it to perfection before loading it on your dog.

If you want to make your hot dog a bit extra-festive, consider giving it a delicious makeover with a splash of cranberry sauce. What San Francisco Eater dubs "Thanksgiving on a bun" is a sweet and savory treat that's deceptively simple to make but brings some serious flavor layers and nuance. You also don't need to get too fancy with it. Canned cranberry sauce works perfectly well, especially if you add a textural element like crispy fried onions, chips, or panko crumbs to the mix.

If you think the combo of sweet and tart cranberry sauce and a meaty hot dog is a little bizarre, consider that one of America's best-loved iconic foods fits this flavor profile. According to Food52, grape jelly and meatballs have been going strong since the 1960s. The cranberry sauce hot dog is just a tiny twist on a familiar classic, and it's bound to turn heads at your next barbecue.

When it comes to toppings, ranch dressing is in a league of its own, per Thrillist. People slather this undisputed king of condiments on everything from chicken wings to garden salads, so why not try it with the humble hot dog? If you want to make your hot dog shine, swap out ketchup or mustard for a generous drizzle of ranch dressing. It adds a creamy, tangy vibe to the hot dog that goes well with another topping fave on our list — potato chips.

Thanks to its inspired flavor profile, the ranch/hot dog craze is picking up plenty of steam. So whether you use store-bought, or make your own restaurant-quality ranch dressing rendition, try this unexpected and fun flavor combo this summer. It might not be the most outside-the-box topping, but you might find yourself swearing off the ketchup and mustard forever and discovering a whole new dimension of ranch dressing.