Vegan Chicago-Style Hot Dog

Vegan Chicago-Style Hot Dog

I’m taking a risk. I hope my Chicago friends and family won’t be mad that I am sharing a Vegan hot dog, but please hear me out. All these authentic Chicago-style hot dog “fixings” will really give you the Chicago dog experience.

Even ardent meat eaters might eschew hot dogs due to ingredients and additives in addition to beef or other meats – such as corn syrup, salt, potassium lactate, hydrolyzed beef stock, natural flavor, sodium phosphate, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite, sheep’s casing…

So try a “a real vegetarian frankfurter” as Field Roast Grain Meat Co. calls it. Simply made from grains and vegetables, it is very tasty, balanced, and well-seasoned.

Now here is the best part, a Field Roast frank has 3 to 4 times the amount of protein as a regular hot dog, sporting 20g in one link with no cholesterol. It has 6g of fiber compared to zero in a hot dog and much less saturated fat as well. Interested?

How To Prepare a Vegan Chicago-Style Hot Dog

A Classic Chicago-Style Hot Dog Is…

A Hot Dog – simmered in gently boiling water until nice and hot
A Steamed Poppy Seed Bun – warm and soft
Yellow Mustard – not Dijon, not brown
Neon Green Relish – do not be afraid of the color, it’s classic
Diced Onion – sprinkle onion along the length of the dog
Sport Peppers – medium-hot, two peppers are the standard
Fresh Tomato – fit two half-wheels between the bun and the dog, skin-side out
Kosher Pickle Spear – crunchy and mild, not too thick, about the same length as the dog
A Dash of Celery Salt – without this final condiment, it would not be a Chicago Hot Dog!

Vegan Style

Field Roast Grain Meat Co. Frankfurters – remove plastic casing. Let come close to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. Place up to 4 franks in a skillet full of gently boiling water for 6 minutes. Place steamer basket on top of the skillet with the franks. Place buns in the steamer. Cover with the lid and steam for an additional 2 minutes. This will ensure nice and hot (must be hot, not tepid!) franks plus perfectly steamed buns. Assemble just like the classic, as in the photo above, and serve immediately.

Fans of vegan hot dogs may want to make something similar from scratch. Try my popular Vegan Gutbuster Sandwich, with homemade vegan Italian sausage, recipe here. It’s a bit more work than buying the links, but worth the effort!

OK, it does not taste exactly like a beef hot dog, nor does it have that same snappy texture, but it is a terrific alternative and more healthy to boot.

Chicago Friends, would you be willing to try a Vegan Hot Dog?

All right, you want your meat. I get it. Then try my Classic Polish Sausage Sliders, recipe here. Or the Maxwell Street Polish Sausage Sandwich here.

P.S. I don’t work with Field Roast, I just tried their frankfurters and was very impressed. Plus I recently noticed that my local Albertson’s supermarket here in Las Vegas had the Vienna Sport Peppers and Chicago-Style Relish on the shelf. Without these two ingredients, a true Chicago-Style hot dog would not be possible. The poppy seed buns are from Great Buns Bakery on Tropicana.

P.P.S. A little late but, Happy Birthday America!