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The Best Hot Dogs You Can Buy, According To People Who Eat For A Living

Let the dogs out!

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various hot dog brand packaging over blue background
Alison Dominguez

Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Nothing marks the start of the summer quite like firing up the grill, plopping on some hot dogs, and cracking open a cold one to sip while you flip. Much like PB&J and apple pie, hot dogs are an American classic—and there’s something magical about just how quick and easy they are to make. Plus, there are countless ways you can top your frank to customize your ultimate summer meal. Whether you opt to make your own, snag one from a cart, or order one up at a baseball game, dogs and summer are practically synonymous. But that doesn’t mean that they’re all created equal.

When it comes to making hot dogs at home, the right choice from the grocery store can make all the difference between a dog that’s best left to the kennel and one that’s the hit of the BBQ. And as it turns out, when you eat a bunch of hot dogs (28 to be exact!), you learn a thing or two about what separates the mutts from the prized picks.

Delish editors put store-bought hot dogs to the test to determine which brands earn top dog status. To level the playing field, all hot dogs were boiled—we decided to nix the grill, as we felt smokiness could mask any funky or subtle flavors. Buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, and other condiments were also off the table.

To select the winners, editors ranked the wieners on flavor, snap, texture, and density, whittling down our favorites to a coveted few. Here’s how it all shook out.

Best Overall

Applegate Naturals Uncured Beef Hot Dog

Applegate Naturals Uncured Beef Hot Dog

The Applegate beef hot dog took our top spot for one reason: It's the dog every one of our tasters wanted at a cookout. The texture is spot on—light but not too light. As for flavor, it's "a touch sweet and a little bit smoky," said one of our testers. "I'd eat that at a barbecue!" That’s really the only praise you need.

Best Classic Hot Dog

Hebrew National Beef Franks

Hebrew National Beef Franks

Hebrew National wins the best classic hot dog because "it tastes like a hot dog should taste," one of our testers said. There are no surprises, the snap isn't over the top, and the texture is dense, but not too thick. It's the hot dog you feed someone who has never had a hot dog—an introductory dog, if you will.

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Best Angus Beef Hot Dog

Ball Park Hot Dogs Angus Beef Bun Size

Ball Park Hot Dogs Angus Beef Bun Size

What makes this Angus beef hot dog pop is, of course, the Angus beef—which famously has extra fat compared to other types of beef. The result? A hot dog that's "a little smoky, a little buttery," Contributing Writer Allison Arnold said.

Bell & Evans Chicken Franks

Bell & Evans Chicken Franks

I wasn’t aware that chicken dogs existed prior to this taste test, but if the powers that be can dish out chicken burgers, well, it only makes sense that hot dogs get a chicken rebrand as well. Bell & Evans is best known for its chicken products, so it makes sense that they have the best chicken hot dog. Multiple tasters said this dog smelled like chicken—but in a good way!

"It's the chicken breast of chicken hot dogs," Director of Community & Audience Development Julia Smith said. "It'll go with any flavor."

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Best Turkey Dog

Oscar Mayer Turkey Franks

Turkey Franks

You might be surprised to know that Oscar Mayer makes a great turkey dog. The color is not suspicious, unlike a few other gray-hued turkey dogs we encountered. Post-boil, it takes on the deep red color of a beef dog, and its flavor is strikingly similar as well. It's a great option for someone who doesn't eat beef, but still wants that classic hot dog flavor.

"It's a perfect bite," Art Director Carlos Dominguez said.

Best Snap

Feltman's Natural Casing Uncured Beef Hot Dogs

Feltman's Natural Casing Uncured Beef Hot Dogs

You can probably tell by the name, but Feltman's of Coney Island started in a hot dog cart in 1867 on, you guessed it, Coney Island. It claims to make the first modern American frankfurter, and while that may or may not be true, we can vouch that it offers the hot dog with the best snap.

The dogs' smoked natural casing locks in flavors, while its firm, snappy texture delivers delightful bite upon bite.

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Most Flavorful

Fork in the Road Honest Dogs

Fork in the Road Honest Dogs

What makes these dogs so honest? Well, the ingredients are pretty simple and pack in a lot of seasoning: Pasture-raised beef, water, onion, garlic, mustard, paprika, celery powder, vinegar, salt, sugar, extractives of paprika, and natural flavors.

I guess that's what makes them the most flavorful in our book. Both Dominguez and Editorial Director Joanna Saltz described the flavor as sweet and balanced.

Best Splurge Hot Dog

Boar's Head Uncured Beef Frankfurters

Boar's Head Uncured Beef Frankfurters

Look, a classic hot dog is great and all, but sometimes you want one that truly takes it to the next level. You want it to taste like a hot dog, but better. In those instances, we recommend Boar's Head uncured beef frankfurters. They're pricey at $9 for about eight links, but so worth it. The dogs boast a delightfully smoky flavor, thick casing, and a paprika-forward aftertaste.

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Best Budget Hot Dog

Oscar Mayer Classic Uncured Beef Hot Dogs

Oscar Mayer Classic Uncured Beef Hot Dogs

If you're balling on a budget (and honestly, who isn’t these days?), these Oscar Mayer originals are the best cheap dogs around. You can find them in just about any grocery store for about $0.40 each and although the texture is a little mushy, the flavor is akin to my favorite type of man—really beefy.

Best Plant-Based Hot Dog

Oscar Mayer Bun Length Plant-Based Not Hotdog

Oscar Mayer Bun Length Plant-Based Not Hotdog

I’ll be the first to tell you, I’m not typically a fan of plant-based meat alternatives. So color me surprised when I tried Oscar Mayer’s take on a plant-based dog, and I didn’t want to spit it out. In fact, it had me searching for the nearest bun. The texture here is the only thing that gives away the fact that it’s not real meat (a little mushier than your standard dog), but the flavor here is smoky and delicious—the only things you need when it comes to a good weenie.

Now, once you select your dog of choice, all you need is a little inspiration when it comes to cooking and topping those bad boys. Luckily, we’ve come up with a whole list of truly unique hot dog ideas.

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