Missing summer already? These vegan hot dog recipes can help bring back those BBQ vibes!
By Lora O’Brien
For many, summer means two things: ice cream, and hot dogs.
While vegan ice cream is now a thing, hot dogs generally still mean chicken beaks, cow lips and pig anuses on a bun. Um…hard pass.
Luckily, it’s now easier than ever to make vegan hot dogs yourself. Or, if you live in a city, you can buy store bought, at some health food stores. But no matter how you like them, I’ve got vegan hot dog recipes for everyone.
Why Real Hot Dogs Are The Worst
Cruelty aspect aside, actual ‘meat’ hot dogs are super unhealthy! It’s reported that 50% of Americans are afraid to know exactly what lurks inside their hot dog. And the truth really is scarier than you’d think.
Ground down into that hot dog mush is a concoction of ingredients so toxic that the World Health Organization now classifies hot dogs and other processed meats as carcinogenic, placing them in the same category as cigarettes.
You may think you’re eating ‘meat.’ And by ‘meat,’ I mean highly undesirable animal parts. But what you’re actually eating is a combination of glass, metal and bone. It takes a liquid smoke bath, a salt-water treatment and copious other flavourings to trick consumers into thinking they’re eating actual food. Gross, right?
But vegan hot dogs are SO easy to make, thanks to the abundance seitan, tofu or carrot sausage recipes out there.
Here, I’ve found some highly creative vegan hot dog recipes that will have you excited to chow down on these veggie-furters, and that will keep your summer going just that little bit longer.
Vegan Hot Dog Recipes To Keep Summer Going
1. Carrot Hot Dogs With Yam Buns
This is a veg-filled take on the classic hot dog dish. It’s not only vegan, but is gluten and grain-free, too. Instead of starchy buns, the carrot hot dogs are stuffed inside baked Japanese yams and topped with mustard and dill relish. Yum!
Get the recipe here.
2. Gourmet Vegan Hot Dogs
Forget them being a popular fast food – hot dogs are going gourmet! Wheat gluten gives this veggie hot dog its meat-like texture, while the vegan ‘frankfurter’ is made from a mix of carrots, potato, onion and pinto beans. Topped with caramelized onions, a red beet and sauerkraut salad, cashew-almond cheese, greens and vega parmesan, this is one of those vegan hot dog recipes that’s #instaworthy!
Get the recipe here.
3. Grilled Carrot Hot Dogs
Carrots as hot dogs? Okay, hear me out. Once boiled, marinated and grilled, carrots are SO juicy and chewy, they make the perfect meat sub. Plus, once they’re seasoned, you won’t even know that your vegan ‘dog is actually a veggie! Seriously.
Get the recipe here.
4. Homemade Gluten-Free Hot Dogs
Since this recipe doesn’t include seitan, it makes these vegan hot dogs gluten-free. Loaded with plant-based ingredients such as lentils, carrots, onion and spinach, they’re infused with an assortment of spices and are SO flavoursome. This recipe can also be used to make vegan burgers or meatballs, too!
Get the recipe here.
5. Homemade Seitan Hot Dogs
Of all the vegan hot dog recipes, those that are homemade with seitan as a base take the classic ballpark snack to the next level. Topped with ketchup, pickles and fried onions, they’re traditional yet delicious. But if you’re looking to switch things up you could add guacamole, salsa or even vegan chilli. Perfect for your next BBQ.
Get the recipe here.
6. Lentil Carrot Hot Dogs
Sometimes you just really want junk food, and my go-to when I feel like that is either a vegan hot dog or burger. I never feel guilty about eating so-called ‘junk food’ when I make it myself, though. And these hot dog sausages are comprised of pureed veggies and lentils! Fast, easy and full of yummy goodness.
Get the recipe here.
7. Homemade Sweet Potato Cabbage Hot Dogs
Looking to add some of your 5-a-day to your hot dog? These babies are made with a sweet potato and cabbage mix as their base. Combined with spices, they’re loaded both with taste and texture. These make a great lunch for weekdays, or even a snack. Make them lighter by ditching the starchy buns and having them bunless or on top a bed of salad.
Get the recipe here.
8. Homemade Vegan Gutbusters
Sausages are literally made with the leftover junk meat from slaughterhouses and their flavour is almost always inserted back into the meat artificially afterwards. YUK! So it makes sense to ditch them for meat-free versions!
These bean-based vegan gutbuster Italian ‘sausages’ are bursting with flavour from the garlic, sweet paprika, oregano, pepper flakes and parsley. Even your carnie friends will devour these!
Get the recipe here.
9. Homemade Smoky BBQ Carrot Hot Dogs
Topped with a creamy chickpea mix, lettuce and a pickle salad these homemade vegan hot dogs are a fun and fresh take on the popular dish. This is one of the best vegan hot dog recipes for those with an appetite!
Get the recipe here.
10. Vegan Hot Dog Taquitos with Chipotle Mayo
These vegan taquitos with chipotle mayo are a fun twist on the traditional hot dog recipe. Hot dog buns are ditched in favour of corn tortillas and are then stuffed with onions, vegan cheese, salsa and spicy chipotle mayo. The crunchy tortilla is a game changer!
Get the recipe here.
11. Vegan Chilli Cheese Dogs
A lightly toasted pretzel bun, vegetable loaded chili, vegan hot dog and homemade queso brilliantly come together to make this plant-based hot dog. And the secret to making the queso so cheesy? Cashews and nooch! The cashews make the sauce super creamy while the nutritional yeast gives it that cheesiness.
Get the recipe here.
12. Mexican Street Corn Hot Dogs
Mexican food gets an American twist with this recipe! Hot dog buns are filled with vegan aioli, mustard sauce and topped with a vegan sausage. Garnish with Mexican street corn and crunchy jalapeno and onions. This is a 10/10 combo!
Get the recipe here.
13. Vegan Chili Dogs
This much loved American diner dish is super popular and for a good reason; it’s the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty and delicious thanks to the three-bean chilli, vegan cheese, pickles and mustard. Use one of the vegan hot dog recipes above for the ‘dog.
Get the recipe here.
14. Italian Stallion Gourmet Hot Dog
So, this recipe may not have strong Italian roots, but it’s still delicious! Mushrooms are sautéed and then topped with marinara sauce and melted vegan mozzarella. It’s super simple yet incredibly satiating. Again, use one of the vegan hot dog recipes above for the filler, or buy commercial ones if you prefer.
Get the recipe here.
15. California Dog
Wondering what goes into a California dog? Think creamy avocado-basil cream, shredded carrot, roasted corn, crisp lettuce, cucumber, jalapenos and vegan tofu bacon pieces. Anyone else salivating? I’ve used carrot dogs as the filling, and they were perfect!
Get the recipe here.
- Author
- Recent Posts
Lora O'Brien
Food Editor at Eluxe Magazine
After graduating in Journalism from the University of Greenwich, Lora worked for Sugar and Healing Lifestyles magazines in London before being hired to write about food for Eluxe. She’s recently become a new mom to baby Lulla, and is writing a blog about the experience of being a new mom. See more about Lora here.
Latest posts by Lora O'Brien (see all)
- 7 Reasons NOT To Buy At Shein, Ever! - March 26, 2024
- Vegan ‘Egg’ Recipes Better Than The Real Thing - March 25, 2024
- 25 Vegan Recipes for Hormone Health - March 18, 2024
