Upgrading Your Hot Dogs for Your 4th of July Cookout

If you’re planning a cookout this 4th of July, we have tips to upgrade your hot dog game. Celebrity Chef Melvin ‘Boots’ Johnson joins NTD to show us some tasty variations you can try to impress your guests.
Published: 7/1/2026, 7:34:38 AM EDT
Upgrading Your Hot Dogs for Your 4th of July Cookout

Caribbean Dog

Ingredients:
1 cup diced pineapple
½ cup diced red pepper
½ cup diced red onion
1 bunch chopped cilantro
2 diced jalapeño
1 lime, juiced and zested
2 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon salt and pepper
Mayo
  1. Place diced pineapple, peppers, and onion in a small bowl. Mix well.
  2. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in honey and mix well. Add jalapeno and fresh lime juice.
  3. Toss in cilantro and lime zest.
  4. Top hot dog with the pineapple relish and mayo.

Southern Slaw Dog

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 chopped onion
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves minced garlic
6 ounces tomato paste
2 cups water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
2 tsp salt and pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Pre-made coleslaw

Mustard
  1. Saute onions in oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add garlic and continue cooking.
  2. Add tomato paste and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add water and stir well to deglaze the pan. Add chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Add ground beef, stirring into the liquid. Once meat and sauce are combined, bring to a low boil.
  5. Cover and simmer for 30 mins or until chili sauce thickens.
  6. Top hot dog with chili, coleslaw, and mustard.

Classic New York Dog

Ingredients:
2 thin sliced onions 
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup ketchup
1 cup water
Pinch of salt
  1. In a small sauce pan saute onions on medium heat until soft.
  2. Add ketchup and water and stir.
  3. Stir for at least 20 minutes or until the water is reduced by about half.
  4. Top hot dog with onion sauce

Street Corn Dog

Ingredients:
1 cup elote-style corn
1 cup cotija cheese
1 lime
1 hot dog
Bacon slices
  1. Wrap the hot dog with bacon and cook on the grill.
  2. Top with cotija cheese, corn, and lime juice.