How to boil hot dogs: Here’s how long it should take

Hot dogs are a crowd favorite for any occasion, whether it’s a cookout or a baseball game. In 2023, Americans spent over $8 billion on hot dogs and sausages, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council reports.

The hot dog also is a summer staple. Around 150 million hot dogs will be eaten on the Fourth of July alone.

Hot dogs are relatively easy to prepare. If you prefer your weenies boiled instead of grilled, here’s a guide to cook time, plus some facts about the famous frankfurter. 

How long to boil hot dogs

Hot dogs should be boiled for around four to six minutes. If the hot dog is frozen, its cook time will be longer, between nine and 10 minutes.

You may choose to boil your hot dog in water or opt for beer. Boiling your hot dog in beer can give it more of a mellow flavor and tender texture. 

No matter the liquid, the boiling time remains the same. Once done, remove the hot dog from the pot and place it on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain the liquid.

How do you know when boiled hot dogs are done?

You can tell when a hot dog is done based on its internal temperature. Hot dogs should reach at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption, according to Coleman Natural Foods. 

You can also check its texture. Fully cooked hot dogs will have wrinkly skin and become darker in color. 

What’s really in a hot dog?

Hot dogs are composed of meat, such as beef, pork or poultry, (such as turkey or chicken), according to the Department of Agriculture.

The USDA outlines that hot dogs may contain no less than 15% of “one or more kinds of raw skeletal muscle meat with raw meat byproducts.” Hot dogs will not contain bone fragments from the separation process. The machinery cannot crush or grind the bones; they must be removed basically intact, the USDA reports.

A hot dog may not contain more than 30% fat or 10% water, or a combination of 40% fat and added water, according to the Department of Agriculture.