West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce Recipe
West Virginia Hot Dog Sauce is a flavorful, sweet, and tangy meat sauce made with ground beef, tomato paste, brown sugar, and spices. It’s traditionally served over hot dogs with mustard and onions. This easy-to-make sauce captures the unique taste of Appalachian cuisine and adds a delicious twist to classic hot dogs.
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 can 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 cup water or substitute beef broth for extra richness
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns.
- Once the beef starts to brown, stir in the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, until the onion softens and turns translucent.
- Mix in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, tomato paste, yellow mustard, and brown sugar. Stir everything together until it’s nicely combined.
- Sprinkle in the chili powder, paprika, and a little salt and pepper. Stir again to spread the spices evenly throughout the mixture.
- Pour in the water (or beef broth if you’re using that) and add the white vinegar. Stir well, bring it to a light simmer, then lower the heat.
- Let the mixture simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, giving it a stir now and then. You’re looking for a nice, thick sauce. If it gets too thick, just add a splash more water.
- Give it one last taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Once you’re happy with the flavor, take it off the heat and serve it warm over your favorite hot dogs top with slaw, onions, or anything else you love.
Notes
This sauce freezes well. Let it cool completely and store in airtight containers or freezer bags. For a smoother texture, you can pulse the cooked sauce in a food processor a few times. This isn’t a spicy sauce, but you can add a pinch of cayenne if you want a little heat.