Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
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Posted: 07/27/26
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These Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs are my favorite cookout upgrade because they take about 5 minutes of prep and taste 10 times better than a plain hot dog. Wrap each dog in a strip of thin-cut bacon, sprinkle with BBQ rub, and grill until the bacon is crispy and the outside is golden.
The 4-Ingredient Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog Upgrade Every Grill Master Needs
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs are the small cookout upgrade that makes a huge difference. Take a plain hot dog, wrap it in a piece of thin-cut bacon, sprinkle with your favorite BBQ rub, and grill until the bacon is crispy on the outside and the hot dog is heated through. Fifteen minutes of grill time and you’ve got hot dogs that will have your neighbors asking what you did differently.
My husband is firmly in the camp of, Bacon Makes Everything Better. I can’t disagree with him. That’s why I made this slightly elevated classic.
A must for success is thin-cut bacon so it crisps up before the hot dogs overcook. Toothpicks hold everything together and BBQ rub adds a hit of flavor. Grill over medium heat so nothing burns before it’s ready.
These are my go-to for backyard barbecues, tailgates, birthday cookouts, camping trips, and any night I’m feeling lazy about dinner. Serve them on toasted buns with all the classic hot dog toppings, or get creative with jalapeños, cheese, or even chili. Every kid at the party goes back for seconds, every adult wonders why they’ve been eating plain hot dogs their whole life.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Not that I think anyone gets tired of plain hot dogs, but a hot dog wrapped with bacon is a serious grilling game changer and with hardly any more effort.
- It’s super easy to increase or even decrease the number of hot dogs prepared with bacon depending on how many people are being served. No complicated ingredient ratios here!
- The bacon crisps up perfectly on the grill and then the hot dogs are ready to customize with everyone’s favorite toppings.
Do Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs Have A Special Name?
These hot dogs are most commonly, and most simply, called “bacon wrapped hot dogs” here in the US but I have heard of them called “cowboy dogs”, too which I think is a worthy name.
When it comes to LA Street-style bacon wrapped hot dogs (with grilled peppers, onions, and Mexican-style toppings), I have heard them called “Sonoran hot dogs” or my favorite, “danger dogs”.
Key Ingredients
- Hot dogs – I lean toward all-beef for what I consider to be the best flavor, but pick up whatever you usually buy.
- Bacon – For consistent cooking and to ensure the hot dog doesn’t overcook, buy regular thin-cut bacon. Check the label closely, and avoid maple or brown sugar bacon because they will burn quickly on the grill. It is possible to use turkey bacon, but because it has significantly less fat, keep a very close eye to avoid burning.
- BBQ rub – This sets my recipe apart! I tend to have homemade rub on hand, but use your favorite store bought or homemade version.
Find the full ingredient list with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Cheese-stuffed. Slice a pocket in the hot dog and stuff with a cheese stick before wrapping in bacon.
- Jalapeño bacon dogs. Slice a jalapeño lengthwise and lay it against the hot dog before wrapping in bacon.
- Sweet and spicy. Brush the bacon with a mix of maple syrup and hot sauce during the last 3 minutes of grilling.
- Bratwurst. Use bratwurst instead of hot dogs and bump the grill time up to 20 to 25 minutes.
- Sonoran/Danger Dog style. Grill onions and peppers to top the finished dogs.
- Chicago style. Skip the BBQ rub and season with celery salt for a Chicago-inspired flavor. Top with yellow mustard, chopped onion, sweet pickle relish, tomato, pickle spear and sport peppers.
Ideas For Toppings
- Classic. Ketchup, mustard, relish, chopped onion, sauerkraut.
- Chili cheese. Chili, shredded cheddar, chopped onion, jalapeños.
- BBQ. BBQ sauce, coleslaw, crispy fried onions.
- Southwest. Salsa, guacamole, pepper jack cheese, fresh cilantro.
- Buffalo. Buffalo sauce, ranch, blue cheese crumbles, chopped celery.
- Nacho. Melted cheese sauce, jalapeños, crushed tortilla chips.
- All the pickles. Sauerkraut, kimchi, pickled jalapeños, banana peppers.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs On The Grill
- Prepare hot dogs. Wrap one piece of bacon around each hot dog. Secure with a toothpick on each side of the hot dog. Sprinkle each wrapped hot dog with rub.
- Cook. Grill hot dogs for 15 minutes, turning occasionally, or until bacon is fully cooked and crispy. Watch them closely because the bacon can cause flare ups on the grill.
- Top and enjoy. Assemble hot dogs on buns and top with desired condiments.
For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Storage And Reheating
Fridge: Store bacon wrapped hot dogs in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store leftover hot dog buns separately.
Freezer: Wrap individual hot dogs wrapped in bacon in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
These are quick to reheat on the grill in about 5 minutes but I have also put them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. My favorite way to get a nice crispy bacon the second time around, is to put them in the air fryer for about 4 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid the microwave to avoid rubbery hot dogs!
Serving Suggestions
Along with all of the wonderful topping options, I love a good side dish spread when it comes to grilling hot dogs. Some of the dishes I add to the table are Creamy Coleslaw, Grilled Cauliflower, Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges and Mexican Street Corn Salad. Finish off the meal with a simple, sweet Peanut Butter Cereal Bar and everyone’s going home with very happy bellies.
Pro Tips
- Wrap the bacon at a slight angle and spiral down from one end to the other. Overlap the bacon slightly as you go to avoid gaps.
- Don’t stretch the bacon too thin or it will fall off during grilling.
- Place hot dog buns on the cooler side of the grill during the last couple minutes of grilling for a deliciously toasted bun.
- Do not cook these hot dogs over high heat! The bacon will burn before the hot dog is heated through.
- Remove the tooth picks before serving!
- Watch the hot dogs closely because the bacon fat can cause flare ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to precook the bacon?
No. Cooking the bacon ahead of time is not necessary because it will fully cook right on the grill. It will be more difficult to wrap cooked bacon around a hot dog, and it will most likely overcook on the grill before the hot dog is warmed through.
Can I make these without a grill?
I’m not going to lie, just because grilling season might end here in the Midwest, doesn’t mean I don’t crave a hot dog every once in a while. Thankfully, these bacon wrapped dogs are easy to bake in the oven, too!
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit while you wrap the hot dogs in bacon. Place them onto a wire rack overtop a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper to catch the grease. Bake for 15-20 minutes and enjoy!
I have also tossed them into the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-15 minutes. This works great, just remember to leave space around the hot dogs and cook in batches if necessary.
Why is my bacon still chewy?
Bacon can end up chewy when the fat hasn’t fully rendered. Avoid this by turning the hot dogs occasionally and by ensuring the heat is set to medium, not high. Chewy bacon is fine to eat, it just isn’t as enjoyable as crispy bacon in my opinion!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling so I can see your grilling masterpieces!
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs
These Grilled Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs are our favorite cookout upgrade because they take about 5 minutes of prep and taste 10 times better than a plain hot dog. Just wrap each dog in a strip of thin-cut bacon, sprinkle with BBQ rub, and grill until the bacon is crispy and the outside is golden.
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium heat about 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wrap one piece of bacon around each hot dog. Secure the bacon to the hot dog with a toothpick on each side of the hot dog. Sprinkle each bacon wrapped hot dog with the BBQ rub.
- Grill hot dogs for 15 minutes, turning occasionally, or until bacon is fully cooked and crispy. Watch them closely because the bacon can cause flare ups on the grill.
- Assemble hot dogs and top with desired condiments.
Tips
Fridge: Store bacon wrapped hot dogs in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store leftover hot dog buns separately.
Freezer: Wrap individual hot dogs wrapped in bacon in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
These are quick to reheat on the grill in about 5 minutes but I have also put them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes. My favorite way to get a nice crispy bacon the second time around, is to put them in the air fryer for about 4 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid the microwave to avoid rubbery hot dogs!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 322kcal (16%), Carbohydrates: 30g (10%), Protein: 12g (24%), Fat: 17g (26%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 35mg (12%), Sodium: 663mg (29%), Potassium: 163mg (5%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 3g (3%), Vitamin A: 15IU, Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 76mg (8%), Iron: 3mg (17%)
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