# How to Make the Perfect Hotdog

Grill, check, bun and dress a classic hot dog, step by step

By Yannick Boers

Topic: Food & Drink

[Open the interactive Jig](https://ask.jig.com/j/C64wz3B9wWaz)

## Transcript

### 1. The Perfect Hot Dog

Here is everything you need: a frank, a soft bun, a grill, a food thermometer, mustard, relish and diced onion\. A frank is the sausage inside a hot dog\. Tap anything to see its name\.

A grown\-up handles the hot grill\.

### 2. 1 · Grill the Frank

Lay the frank on a hot grill, about 200 °C \(400 °F\)\. Turn it once or twice so it browns evenly\. After 5 to 7 minutes it is glossy and striped with grill marks\.

Franks are sold already cooked, so grilling heats them through and adds flavour\.

### 3. 2 · Check It Is Hot Inside

Slide the thermometer probe into the end of the frank, towards its middle\. When it reads 74 °C \(165 °F\), it is hot all the way through\.

### 4. 3 · Lay It in the Bun

Lift the frank into the open bun\. The bun cradles it from below, so toppings go on the frank, never under it\. Hot dog fans call this “dress the dog, not the bun”\.

### 5. 4 · Mustard First

Squeeze a wavy line of yellow mustard along the top\. Wet toppings go on first, so the chunky ones have something to stick to\.

### 6. 5 · Spoon on the Relish

Spoon bright green relish along both sides of the mustard\. Relish is chopped sweet pickle, and it adds crunch\.

### 7. 6 · Sprinkle the Onion

Scatter diced onion over the top\. The classic order is wet, then chunky, then cheese and spices if you like them\.

### 8. Ready to Eat\!

Pick it up with your hands\. A regular hot dog takes about five bites\. An old rule says no ketchup after age 18, yet about 6 in 10 people say they like it anyway\.

For small children, cut the hot dog lengthwise, then into small pieces\.