The kitchen comes to life any time you whip up a stir fry dish. The garlic meets the oil with a sizzling crisp, a harmony made livelier when other vegetables and proteins chime in. That’s the thing about stir fries — they are never boring. They are an endless interplay of ingredients that bend to your most spontaneous whims. This is why it should come as no surprise that even something as unconventional as hot dogs would still have a spot in this quick, easy dish. If you thought they were good nestled in a bread bun and covered in mustard (à la authentic Chicago-style hot dog), just wait until you taste their heat-kissed, condiment-drenched stir fry glory.
While hot dogs may not have the kind of meaty depth you’d typically get from well-marinated beef, they do have their own merit. When joining those fresh, earthy vegetables and perhaps nutty legumes, they make themselves known instantly. Salty and smoky with a distinctive fattiness, the sausages bring a special excitement to stir fry dishes. It almost reminds you of game day festivities and backyard grills, a boisterous joy recaptured in a casual weekday dinner. And when they soak up all the umami goodness from other spices and condiments, every al dente bite is pure heaven.
Hot dogs can belong in almost any stir fry
Already cooked. Already flavored. Hot dogs need no preparation before joining the hot pan. Just slice them up, toss them in along with the aromatics, and stir around for a bit until they begin to brown. After that, just proceed as usual. This works for a regular plate of vegetable stir fry, but you can also throw in rice or noodles and have an easy meal in no time. Even with dishes that already have a protein, like a beef udon stir fry for example, adding hot dogs is still a good idea.
Since this is a stir fry we’re talking about, there’s always room for more. Stir fry sauces, often a soy-sauce-based mixture, never disappoint, but you can always go with a sauce that often accompanies sausages. It could be a delectably tangy BBQ sauce or a hearty chili. Just a splash of Sriracha hot sauce can also make an impact if it’s a kick of heat you’re looking for.
Considering just how often hot dogs and sauerkraut go hand in hand, it only makes sense that they are stir fried together. The same goes for pickles and relishes, both of which also don’t traditionally belong in a stir fry, but they sure have a way of fitting right in. You can also try making a Korean-inspired stir fry using Korean hot dogs, fish cakes, tteokbokki, and gochujang. With glass noodles on the side, you’re all set for a flavor-packed dinner.
