The Hot Dog Topping You’ve Never Tried But Really Should

From backyards to ballparks, hot dogs are a summertime staple. It doesn’t matter if you prefer all-beef or a vegetarian alternative — summer doesn’t truly begin until you take a bite of your favorite hot dog with mustard or ketchup. But at some point, people began sprucing up hot dogs with untraditional toppings such as avocado, blue cheese dressing, and crushed potato chips. Some adventurous eaters even top their hot dogs with peanut butter. Yes — peanut butter. Don’t let this odd mix of flavors deter you; hot dogs and peanut butter go together just like peas and carrots. Frankly, we think you’d really like it too, and here’s why.

The Versatility of Peanut Butter

Hot dogs aside, mixing peanut sauce with meat is a centuries-old culinary tradition, especially popular in Southeast Asian cooking. Peanut sauce first took off in Indonesia sometime around the 16th century after the legume was brought to the region by Iberian merchants. Over the years that followed, peanuts made their way into Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisine and are also used in various chutneys throughout India.

Here in America, peanut sauce may not be as commonly served alongside savory dishes, but that’s not to say it’s unheard of. One example is in Minneapolis, a city known for its regional Juicy Lucy burger — a stuffed cheeseburger. Various establishments sell PB&J variants of this delicacy stuffed with peanut butter and topped with jam. Given the success of peanut butter in all of these cuisine styles, it should come as no surprise that it pairs just as well with hot dogs.

Our Review

When we heard about this trend, we knew we had to try it ourselves. We took an all-beef hot dog and a delicious brand of chunky peanut butter — you can always use creamy peanut butter if that’s your preference. After cooking the dog on the stovetop, we slathered it in a generous helping of peanut butter, and the results were a big hit.

From a texture perspective, the peanut chunks added a nice crunchy element to the hot dog. You’ll still notice a textural difference if you opt to go the creamy peanut butter route instead, a more unctuous and decadent bite. The heat emanating from the meat melted the peanut butter in a way that created a richer, smoother, and gooier sauce than any standard mustard or ketchup.

Flavorwise, the peanut butter taste was far from overwhelming. It also cut through the smoky flavor of the beef itself and created a more balanced flavor profile. This is great news if you’re not much of a fan of hot dog flavor on its own. We’ll concede that if you’re not a peanut fan, then this may not be for you, and you should certainly steer clear if you have peanut allergies. But if you like peanuts, then you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how well the beef and peanut flavors play off each other, as well as the more interesting and complex texture than traditional dogs.

Other Benefits of Peanut Butter

If you’re not convinced about the texture or taste, there are dietary benefits to swapping out traditional condiments for peanut butter. Remember that most ketchups contain loads of sugar, and aren’t ideal for those looking to keep blood sugar levels low. Mustard also has a biting, vinegary flavor that isn’t for everyone, especially some children. Peanut butter solves both problems, as it’s lower in sugar and has a more neutral flavor.

Peanut butter also provides increased levels of protein, fiber, and healthy fats compared to traditional hot dog condiments lacking nutritional value. It also has essential vitamins like magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and more. Just like anything else, be sure to use peanut butter in moderation.

Further Ingredients Worth Adding

If you like peanut butter on your hot dog, there are ways to elevate the flavor even further. For a little sweetness, consider adding your favorite jelly to create a PB&J dog. You can also transform the dish into a Thai-inspired hot dog — add sriracha and fresh jalapeños for some kick, cilantro for a herby flavor, and fried garlic for crunch. Peanut butter also pairs excellently with salty and crunchy bacon, so fry up some strips and sprinkly them over the hot dog.