Traditional Coney Dog Sauce (Crockpot Style)
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This Traditional Coney Dog Sauce, made Crockpot Style, is simple, hearty, and made with basic pantry staples. You don’t even have to brown the meat first! Simply toss everything into the crockpot and let it do its thing.
The best part? It actually tastes even better the next day. So if you’re a planner (or just accidentally make too much), leftovers are your friend.
Traditional Coney Dog Sauce (Crockpot Style)
This Traditional Coney Dog Sauce isn’t fancy, but it is everything you want when you’re staring at a pack of hot dogs and wondering how to make them something special. It’s simple, flavorful, and amps up your at-home hot dog night!
Make it once and you’ll be hooked. Make it twice and you’ll start doubling the batch just to freeze some for later. And if your family is anything like mine, you won’t hear a single complaint when this hits the table- just the sound of people going back for seconds.
Let’s break it down step-by-step, because you need this sauce in your life, especially if you’re feeding a crew or prepping for a holiday weekend where you want to serve something crowd-pleasing that doesn’t need babysitting on the stove.
Gather Your Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this magic happen:
- 1 pound of ground beef – I like to us a leaner blend (think 90/10 or 93/7) because I’m not about skimming off a layer of grease after slow cooking. No thanks.
- 1 cup ketchup – This brings the tang and a little sweetness. Don’t overthing it. Just grab the bottle from the fridge.
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard – It adds a little zip that’s non-negotiable in a classic coney dog sauce.
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup dried minced onions – If you’re an onion lover, go big with the 1/2 cup. If you’re feeding picky eaters or just want a subtle flavor, stick to 1/4 cup.
- 1 cup water – This helps everything simmer down and blend nicely over time.
- 6-8 dashes of Red Hot or Tabasco (optional) – Totally optional, but if you want a touch of heat, it’s a must.
- 1-2 Tablespoons of chili powder – Start with one Tablespoon, then add more if you want a bolder chili flavor.
You probably have all of this on hand right now – go check, I’ll wait. This is one of those “pantry rescue” recipes I pull out when I need something warm, filling, and guaranteed to get eaten.
Let’s Make Traditional Coney Dog Sauce Crockpot Style
This recipe is as low-maintenance as they come, and that’s exactly how I like it. The key is letting the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting.
Step 1: Add Your Ground Beef to the Crockpot
Yep, raw. Just crumble it into the bottom of your slow cooker in chunks. No browning, no mess, no dirtying up an extra pan. It’ll cook low and slow in all that glorious coney sauce.
Step 2: Whisk the Sauce Together
In a mixing bowl, combine the ketchup, mustard, dried onions, water, chili powder, and hot sauce (if using). Whisk until everything looks like it belongs together.
Step 3: Pour the Sauce Over the Meat
Pour that sauce mixture over the ground beef in your crockpot. Don’t stir it; let the sauce sit on top and soak down slowly as it cooks.
Step 4: Cover and cook
Put the lid on and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours. Every now and then, give it a stir and skim off any grease that might rise to the top.
By the time it’s done, the beef will be tender and fully cooked, and the sauce will be rich, savory, and ready to spoon over your favorite hot dogs.
Step 5: Serve It Up
At this point, you can toss your hot dogs right into the crockpot to heat up in the sauce, or cook them separately – whatever floats your bun. Either way, load up a soft hot dog bun with a juicy frank and a generous spoonful (or three) of coney sauce.
If you’re feeling wild, top with shredded cheese, chopped onions, or even jalapenos. Or keep it classic – this sauce is the star.
Tips, Tricks, and Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, I highly recommend it. This sauce is one of those magical recipes that gets better after a night in the fridge. The flavors meld, the onions soften even more, and it reheats like a dream
How do I store leftovers?
Let the sauce cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 2 months- just thaw and reheat when ready.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. If you’re feeding a crowd or hosting a cookout, doubling the recipe works great. Just use a large enough crockpot and give it an extra hour to fully cook. I love to use my 3-quart crockpot for dishes like this. There is room in it to double the recipe; it’s the perfect size for things such as this.
What kind of hot dogs go best with this?
I say use whatever you like, but a good all-beef hot dog holds up great under this saucy goodness. You can grill ’em, boil ’em, cook them in the sauce, or air fry them if you’re in a hurry.
Can I use fresh onions instead of dried?
You can, but the beauty of dried minced onions is that they soften slowly and evenly in the crockpot without overpowering the sauce. The dried are also super easy to keep on hand. If you go fresh, make sure to saute them first or they might end up crunchy, and that’s not the vibe we want here.
What’s the difference between this and chili?
Coney dog sauce is smoother, has no beans, and tends to be a little sweeter and more detchip-forward than traditional chili. It’s not meant to be a bowl-and-spoon situation – it’s made for spooning over dogs and buns.
What else can I use this on?
…..the possibilities…..
- Pile it on crinkle fries with cheese for Coney Fries
- Serve it over baked potatoes
- Load up a cheeseburger with it
- Dip your tortilla chips in it
“I’d give this 6 stars if I could.”
I serve it over hot dogs with a side of mac and cheese, but the real genius move? Pairing it with one of Farmwife Feeds’ County Fair Lemon Shake Ups. That sweet-tart lemonade with the savory coney sauce? Chef’s Kiss. It’s like summer on a plate and in a cup. If you’re not making both, are you even living?
If you make this recipe, please tag me on Instagram (@FarmwifeFeeds) so I can see your hot dog masterpieces! And if you’ve got a secret family twist on coney sauce? I’d love to hear it in the comments below.
Traditional Coney Dog Sauce (Crockpot Style)
Ingredients
- 1 pound hamburger I use a leaner hamburger for this, less fat to skim off as it cooks
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/4-1/2 cup dried onions
- 1 cup water
- 6-8 dashes Red Hot or Tabasco optional
- 1-2 Tablespoons chili powder
Instructions
- Place the pound of ground beef (yes raw) into the bottom of your crock pot and kind of smash and separate into chunks.
- Combine the rest of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine then pour over the raw hamburger in the crockpot.
- Turn the crockpot onto low, cover and allow to cook for 4-5 hours.
- Stir the meat mixture every now and then, skimming off any fat that may be settled on top.
- When done and ready to serve you can add your hotdogs to the picture to cook them or serve them cooked on the side!
- This recipe is really super good the next day and re-warmed so it's a great recipe to make ahead.
Notes
- Make Ahead Tip: This sauce tastes even better the next day! Store in an airtight container in the frdige for up to 4 days.
- Freezer Friendly: Let cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Use it on more than hot dogs: It’s also delicious over fries, baked potatoes, or burgers.
- Thicker Sauce Option: Remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to reduce the liquid.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates, for exact values consult a nutritionist.
Hey, I’m Jent!
Farmwife Feeds is my little space to share farm life and home-cooked recipes, from my soul to yours. These are the recipes I cook that my family eats. And while you’re here, stay awhile and see some of the farm. I share what’s real, muddy boots and all, so what you see is what you get. Read more…
