A quick and easy flexible recipe to make as a topping for your grilled hot dog or burgers. It’s so good you will make this even after grilling season and winter’s snow is starting to fall.
Hot Dog Onion Sauce New York Style
Let’s not forget those who live in the city, are in the summer mood but do not have the access to grilling. What they do have is the convenience of walking up to the local crème de la crème shiny hot dog cart on the corner.
As a born and raised New Yorker this is one of the most memorable ways to enjoy the warm weather months in the big city.
I’m happy to share this recipe for hot dog onion sauce New York style for those who do not live in the city. You can create your own recipe and enjoy the same taste experience.
It’s not always easy to recreate a flavor experience. Except in this one particular instance, the onions can be bought in a jar in your local supermarket. But Wait!!!!!!!!, There’s More….
You can quickly and easily make the spicy onions at home with a few basic ingredients – how about 4 ingredients – you probably have in the fridge and pantry.
This is a recipe that that my cousin often made for us at our family summer bbqs in the ’60’s. When we all asked “How did you make this?” she graciously gave us this recipe. Yes that was a looooong time ago. Yet my mom and my sisters and I have been making this hot dog onion sauce New York style recipe ever since.
So here is a quick, easy and flexible recipe. Add in your favorite spices or hot sauce to satisfy your palate. Here are two delicious reasons to make this recipe; #1. homemade is better, and #2. it has no preservatives.
PrintSpicy ‘Hot Dog’ Onion Sauce New York Style
Spicy “Hot Dog” Onion New York Style is an very easy recipe to make anytime, winter or summer. Add the spicy flavored cooked onions to add to your grilled hot dogs, or hamburgers. This is a recipe you can make in less than 15 minutes. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 15-20 min.
- Yield: 2 Cups
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 3 large onions sliced (big yellow or vidalia)
- 1-2 tbl. butter (or butter alternative)
- 2-3 tbl. ketchup
- 1/2 cup water (optional)
- pinch of salt and pepper
- hot pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp. Frank’s Hot Sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Add the butter to a medium sauce pan to melt, then add the sliced onions and stir with a wooden spoon until the onions have been coated with the melted butter.
- Add the salt, pepper and the hot pepper flakes and stir just to blend.
- Cover and cook on medium heat until the onions have softened, about 10 minutes.
- Add the ketchup to the onions and stir. If you wish you can then add water a little at a time. You may not need all the water (I often do not add water as the onions release enough liquid). Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes or just until everything is well blended and the onions are soft.
- Serve hot as topping for hot dogs or on burgers.
Notes
TIP: This recipe is so flexible you can add in less or more of the ingredients based on your flavor preferences. However, this recipe as written is almost exactly like the onions from the NY hot dog carts in the city.
When I updated this old post I did a little research. I found out that the red onion sauce was the creation of Alan S. Geisler, more than 50 years ago. The sauce – which included vinegar, onion, tomato paste and other ingredients, was made at the request of a hot dog and bun supplier who eventually became Mr. Geisler’s partner. The onions were a success and eventually they were produced and sold in most commercial markets under the Sabrett label.
As more hot dog vendors began hitting the city streets the vendors may have started making their own version of the onion sauce. I’m sure it was a lot less expensive to make themselves.
Use as many or as few onions and ketchup as you like according to your taste. Also, if you like more spicy flavors add your favorite hot sauce as well. I did mention this recipe is flexible, yes?
You can definitely make this hot dog onion sauce New York style recipe in advance for convenience. Make extra to freeze for next time.
Using the ketchup eliminates adding sugar and vinegar. If you prefer sweeter and tangy just add a little of each at a time to taste. Now this Hot Dog Onion Sauce New York Style recipe is your own creation.
Add these onions to grilled burgers, steak, chicken or sausage sandwiches while relaxing on the deck.
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While your onion sauce looks great,(haven’t tried it yet), couldn’t help but notice that a lot of the recipes for NY style pushcart onions have the onion cut in the wrong direction. I know this won’t change the taste, but it does change the texture. Being from NY, the onions are never long and cut across the grain. They are cut into shorter pieces, approximately 1/2″ x 1/2″. Just a suggestion. Love the website though!!
How observant you are. This recipe I use was handed down to me many years ago, in 1960s, and my sisters and I have been making the onions ever since. I appreciate your comment and thank you for the info. I always keep in mind that when a recipe is passed down over the years the instructions/directions can often take a different turn or twist. The flavors of this sauce can also be flexible, make it how you might like it. Add more or less of any ingredient to suit your taste. Enjoy, it’s all a matter of taste! OH, one more thing, the cut of the onions may be shorter and don’t fall out of the bun when you’re eating the hot dog while walking along 5th Avenue or sitting on a bench in the middle of Central Park! Nothing like getting spicy onion sauce on your shirt and have to go back to the office. Thanks for your input!
Yumm… we are trying this today. Thanks for sharing 😊🌭
Hi Dawn, thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the recipe.