My spicy hot dog meat sauce is a regional treat from upstate New York! This is the same hot sauce you'll find on a garbage plate at Nick Tahou's. It's easy to make, spicy, and delicious — and perfect for hot dogs, hamburgers, and more!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Hot Sauce Recipe:
My uncle Richard was my dad's big brother, a decorated Navy veteran, and a food enthusiast! He was also an excellent cook who donated his time to those in need around the holidays — he never really talked about it, it just wasn't his style. But he was certainly known to all those who loved him for his kind heart and skills in the kitchen.
After he passed away, I knew I had to share one of his favorite recipes: his meat hot sauce. Around these parts, a spicy meat sauce for hot dogs and hamburgers is a thing. You don't need to drive far to find it — there's a Hots and Hamburgs joint in every neighborhood, and they all have their own version of a garbage plate — a Rochester phenomenon that always features a healthy helping of hot sauce with meat on top.
It's incredibly tasty and a mainstay at all of our summer picnic dinners. Here are a few more reasons to love it:
- Super easy
- Perfect for barbecues & cookouts
- Makes for a good gift for spice lovers
- Freezes wonderfully
- Made with simple ingredients
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Ground Beef: I use an 80/20 blend for my meat hot sauce recipe. The added fat means more flavor!
- Minced Dried Onions: Adds a tasty onion flavor without all of the hassle of cutting onions... and crying while you do it!
- Seasonings: I add chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, cinnamon, and salt — you can play around with the chili powder and cayenne pepper to make this exactly as spicy as you want.
How To Make This Homemade Hot Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Brown the ground beef.
Add the ground beef to a large pot and brown over medium-high heat. Use a wooden spoon to break it apart as it cooks.
Step 2: Add the other ingredients.
Incorporate the minced dried onions, chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, cinnamon, and some water into the pot and mix to combine.
Step 3: Cook.
Bring the hot sauce meat mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the sauce simmer for about 3 hours. If it starts to seem dry, just add a bit of water.
Taste the sauce after 3 hours and add salt or adjust other seasonings if you'd like. Remove from the heat when it's ready, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
All recipes vary, but most include ground beef, diced onions, and a whole bunch of flavorful seasonings. My version is easier as I'm using minced dried onions instead of fresh. Otherwise, it tastes exactly like the hot dog meat sauce you'll find at most places in Rochester!
I always use ground beef with a higher fat content. That said, you can use pork, or a mixture of several types of meat if you'd like! Though, keep in mind that traditional New York-style meat hot sauce is made with ground beef.
It really depends on how much chili powder and cayenne pepper you add! According to my mom, my the original recipe called for 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper... yes, a tablespoon! I found that to be way too spicy so now I only use 1 heaping teaspoon. Feel free to play around with the spice levels in your version too!
Tips For Making Hot Sauce with Meat
- Before making this, my mom warned me that it would smell up my house, so I feel like I should give you all the same warning! I actually didn't really mind it myself. My kitchen smelled absolutely delicious and spicy — not only hot spicy, but the cinnamon in the recipe added such a yummy scent and even more fantastic flavor!
- Speaking of parents, this would make a great Father's Day gift! It's perfect for the carnivore, spice-loving people in your life!
- Be patient as it cooks. And make sure to let it simmer for the full 3 hours. This is one of those low-and-slow recipes that taste better the longer it cooks.
- I'll often freeze the rest for later. It freezes beautifully and it's always nice to have some on hand to pull out whenever you are enjoying you're own hots and hammies this summer! Pro tip: freeze in smaller containers so you can pull smaller amounts out as needed.
- Ingredients to prep ahead: You can measure out the onions and seasonings before getting started.
- Leftovers and storage: Make sure the meat hot sauce has cooled completely before adding it to an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. It will keep in the freezer for 3-6 months — thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
What To Serve With Meat Hot Sauce
Use your meat sauce for hot dogs or hamburgers, of course! Or, you could create your own garbage plate at home using:
- Cheeseburger, hamburger, Italian sausage, steak, or chicken
- Home fries
- French fries
- Baked beans
- Macaroni salad
Other Picnic Recipes To Try
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Spicy Hot Dog Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef you want this fat for more flavor!
- 1 cup minced dried onions
- 1 quart water
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper my mom tells me that this originally had 1 Tbsp. listed as the amount but it was coming out way too spicy- so taste it once it's ready and add more if you feel it needs more, but use a light hand!
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium high heat, using your spoon to break it up.
- Once browned, add the next 6 ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium low.
- Simmer for 3 hours, stirring periodically. If the sauce starts to seem dry, add more water.
- After 3 hours, taste it and add salt to your taste. Serve immediately or cool and freeze.
Video
Notes
- Before making this, my mom warned me that it would smell up my house, so I feel like I should give you all the same warning! I actually didn't really mind it myself. My kitchen smelled absolutely delicious and spicy — not only hot spicy, but the cinnamon in the recipe added such a yummy scent and even more fantastic flavor!
- Speaking of parents, this would make a great Father's Day gift! It's perfect for the carnivore, spice-loving people in your life!
- Be patient as it cooks. And make sure to let it simmer for the full 3 hours. This is one of those low-and-slow recipes that taste better the longer it cooks.
- I'll often freeze the rest for later. It freezes beautifully and it's always nice to have some on hand to pull out whenever you are enjoying you're own hots and hammies this summer! Pro tip: freeze in smaller containers so you can pull smaller amounts out as needed.
- Ingredients to prep ahead: You can measure out the onions and seasonings before getting started.
- Leftovers and storage: Make sure the meat hot sauce has cooled completely before adding it to an airtight container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. It will keep in the freezer for 3-6 months — thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
Shannon says
Jessy Freimann says
Vivian says
Tammy Snook says
Jessy Freimann says
Kelly Dawson says
Jessy Freimann says