Vegan Hot Dogs: 3 Ways!

So it's the season of summer bbqs, fourth of July, and grillin'.

But what it isn't, is the season of vegans being left out... We just revamped the hot dog game!

I recently watched the NEW and AMAZING (and now on Netflix...) documentary "What The Health" with my sister, and she promptly stated that she wanted to try being vegetarian. Game on, sistah!! A couple of days in, despite going strong for a 10-year-old, she looked at me and said "Miranda, I don't think I can be a vegetarian... because hot dogs"

But ya girl here knows a thing or two about vegan food and I quickly explained that I could easily fulfill her hot dog desires, just in a cruelty-free and healthy way. (And before you say "Well all that processed soy product can't be good for you!!!"ponder what the @#*$ is in non-vegan hot dogs. Yeah, I'll take the veggie dog too.)

So I realized, what better time of the YEAR is there than Independence Day to make some knock-your-omnivore-socks-off-make-you-wanna-go-vegan HOT DOGS?!

And what kind of food blogger would I be if I didn't give you multiple ways to stuff your face with the stupid things...

Of course we have to satisfy the cookout cravings of the whole family, so we have the deeeeelicious CHILI DOG for the messy, "meat" hungry, where's the protein?, men (or women, makes no diff), the ever so classic KETCHUP+MUSTARD DOG for the kids and the picky adults (sorry, there's no real way around the facts), and the ch-ch-CHICAGO DOG for the one's who always want to be a little extra at the family get togethers (no shame. seriously none).

So take your pick (or dive into all three because, let's just be honest, that is exactly what I did .2 seconds after finally finishing up the photography of these bad boys). Don't forget a bangin' side, too, like these easy oil and salt-free potato chunks! ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!

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PLAIN KETCHUP+MUSTARD HOT DOG

Toppings:

- Use regular or organic ketchup, or opt for sriracha ketchup for a kick

- Use plain mustard, or opt for Dijon to be #fancy

- Relish and onions optional, but delicious.

1. Grill your hot dogs out on the bbq (just don't mix it up with the nasty meat ones) until fully warmed and the aesthetic grill marks appear.

2. Bun your dog.

3. Drizzle your condiments and inhale! (Easy peasy)

CHILI DOG

For the Chili:

- 1.5 cup finely chopped white onion

- 2 packages soyrizo

- 1/3 cup water

- 6 oz can tomato paste

- 1 tbsp vinegar

- 1 tsp chili powder

- 2 tbsp cumin

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

- another 1/2 cup water

1. Sautee chopped onion with a dash of water on high heat until translucent and fragrant.

2. Add soy chorizo, stirring to mix with onion.

3. Stir in 1/3 cup water and reduce heat to medium.

4. Add in vinegar and spices, continuing to stir.

5. Stir in can of tomato paste.

6. Pour in an extra 1/2 cup of water to cook down spices, turning heat to high and stirring for around 5 minutes.

7. Remove from heat and serve atop your grilled and bunned hot dog!

~Top with chopped onions, chives, or vegan cheese, if desired!

CHICAGO DOG

Ingredients:

- Poppy seed hot dog bun

- Tomato

- Dill pickle spears

- Diced onion

- Celery seed

- Pepperoncini

- Mustard (no ketchup, I repeat, NO KETCHUP)

- Neon Relish* (or any desired relish on hand)

1. Steam the poppy seed bun to warm and soften the sucka up.

2. Bun ya dog (after grillin').

3. Slice your tomato, then cut slices in half. Add these halves to one side of your hot dog.

4. Slice one pickle spear in half, adding those to the opposite side of the dog.

5. Throw some diced onions all over the top.

6. Drizzle on your desired amount of mustard (the whole bottle, if you're me).

7. Top with your relish, plus a pepperoncini, and attempt to fit everything into one bite!

*Neon Relish Replica Recipe: Mix together relish, mustard, and green food coloring. Close enough to the real thang!

OIL- AND SALT-FREE POTATO CHUNKS

Ingredients:

- Min. 3 large russet potatoes, cubed

- Pepper

- Chopped dried onion

- Garlic powder

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.

2. Chop your potatoes into less than one inch cubes, and toss into large Ziploc baggie.

3. Add pepper, onions, and garlic powder (to taste) into bag with potato and shake like your life depends on it.

4. Spread onto a foil lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.

5. For extra crispiness, broil potatoes for ~2 minutes on high, then serve in copious amounts alongside the hot dogs!

PRO TIP: Watermelon. The perfect refreshing fruit for any summer meal. Have it on deck. (To pick out the best H2OMelon, look for a bright yellow spot, deep green stripes, and a hollow sound when you hold it like a baby and slap it. #trust)

#hotdogs #lunch #dinner #summer #bbq