Whether we’re firing up the grill or tossing the world’s easiest dinner into a pot of boiling water, hot dogs hold a very special place in our hearts and tummies. So why do we tend to grab whatever franks are on sale? We tested the best hot dog brands around to find out once and for all which one reigns supreme, and it turns out that there are some major differences in each brand’s taste and texture.
We sampled tons of weenies by popular brands like Oscar Mayer, Nathan’s and Ball Park (spoiler alert, our top pick was Sabrett’s skinless beef dogs) to find the winners. Our list includes options made from beef, pork, chicken and turkey, plus two vegan, plant-based varieties. Read on for our faves of the bunch.
The Best Hot Dog Brands, at a Glance
How We Tested the Best Hot Dog Brands
Each brand on the list was tasted grilled and boiled without a bun or condiments. After tasting both versions of each hot dog, we scored them based on five 20-point factors:
The 18 Best Hot Dog Brands
1. Sabrett Skinless Beef Frankfurters
Sabrett/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 90/100
These dogs will have you singing “New York, New York” at first bite. They’re just like the ones you get (with the works, obvi) from a Manhattan street cart. They have hickory smoke flavor added and a natural casing that makes them the snappiest hot dogs on our list. The casing is tied off at the end of each dog, so they have a homemade look. They’re super juicy and flavorful when boiled; prepare them this way if you want all the spices and seasonings to shine through. Grilled, the outer crust is at its crispiest, despite only mild browning. But honestly, if a dog is all about texture and snap to you, you won’t even miss the char marks.
2. KC Cattle Company Wagyu Gourmet Hot Dogs
KC Cattle Company/Katie Currid/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 89/100
If you’re into beef, odds are you’re a big fan of Wagyu, which is famous for its ridiculously tender texture and next-level flavor. Both are due to the meat’s excessive marbling and exclusivity (Wagyu must come from one of four Japanese breeds of beef cattle). At KC Cattle Co., cows are selected from quality breeders and raised on green pastures. Corn is an important part of their diet, since it’s been shown to create more fat cells in cows, which lead to better marbling down the road. So, it’s no surprise that these dogs are supremely beefy. Their flavor is pretty unique in comparison to the other dogs on this list; it almost tastes like a hamburger-hot dog hybrid. While they could certainly be snappier, there’s no doubt that they’ll blow everyone at the picnic away. KC Cattle Co. ships to all 50 states and sells everything from beef chorizo to bacon cheeseburger bratwurst, so consider stocking up on all your BBQ needs ahead of the big day.
3. Best’s Beef Frankfurters
Instacart/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 89/100
Doesn’t the retro packaging just warm your heart? One bite and we’re transported to the picnics and block parties of our childhood. Despite its only semi-decent browning, the outer crust remained snappy while the inside stayed juicy and tender, both boiled and grilled. The highlight here is really its savory, smoky flavor packed in a distinctly chewy, crisp outer skin. Because they don’t char as immaculately as you may want for serving guests, this pick is prime for cooking either on the stove or grill for a casual backyard family dinner. The price isn’t too shabby either, coming to only about 79 cents per dog.
4. Trader Joe’s Organic Grass-Fed Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
Trader Joe's/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 87/100
This will catch no TJ’s stans by surprise, but we were thoroughly pleased with the brand's uncured, all-beef hot dogs. Free of nitrates, nitrites, fillers and hormones, these are a great choice if you want a minimally processed weenie for your next barbecue. The meaty texture holds up whether grilled or boiled, and they’re expertly seasoned with the basics, like onion and pepper, plus a few curveball spices, like nutmeg, mace and ginger. They could definitely be snappier and don’t have too durable a casing, but the flavor is on point. We’re betting your kids will go gaga for ’em.
5. Ball Park Angus Beef Franks
Tyson Foods/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 87/100
Hosting a barbecue? The Angus upgrade can make a difference. We’re talking ridiculously juicy franks, a distinct outer crust and gorgeous char marks that’ll make you look like a total grill master. Made with uncured Angus beef, the dogs are firmly on the smoky, ham-like side of the flavor spectrum. Their texture is soft and consistent, versus other dogs that look more uneven, like ground meat, on the inside. When boiled, they maintain their crisp outer skins and mildly sweet flavor. But grilled, they get a dreamy brown crust that’s tough to turn down. The skin could be a bit snappier, so some extra time on the grill might get you closer to where you want to be.
6. Rastelli’s Round Dogs
TOTAL: 85/100
Your eyes don’t deceive you: Those are burger patty-shaped hot dogs, courtesy of Rastelli’s butcher shop. Before you write them off as sacrilege, hear us out. They’re equipped with wavy edges and grooves that help them cling to your barbecue or grill pan’s grates, and their flat shape allows more of the dog to make direct contact with the grill. In other words, you’ll get more caramelized, charred deliciousness is every bite by default. Made from chopped black Angus beef and premium pork, the dogs’ flavor is quality. Our one critique was a lack of snap, since only the outside of the hot dog has casing. Nevertheless, we think these dogs make for a one-of-a-kind eating experience that won’t disappoint.
7. Stock Yards Chicago Beef Franks
Stock Yards/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 85/100
If your fondest hot dog memories happened at the ballpark, Stock Yards’s Chicago Beef Franks will conjure up alllll the nostalgia. Made from U.S. beef, they’re wonderfully seasoned (despite the package not divulging what spices are used), as well as juicy and meaty in texture. The snap falls a bit flat, but they’re super tender and plump. Since they don’t brown as well as some other picks on this list, we’d say they're especially prime for boiling—the hot water doesn’t detract from the texture or flavor one bit. These dogs are also great for crowds, considering they come 25 to a pack. Save yourself a trip to the supermarket and order a box ahead of your next cookout (just make sure you have plenty of freezer space).
8. 365 Everyday Value Organic Uncured Grass-Fed Beef Hot Dogs
Whole Foods Market/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 85/100
These dogs from Whole Foods are made without antibiotics or growth hormones, so you don’t have to worry about any freaky hidden ingredients. And the difference is apparent, because they taste like ~real~ meat and contain a unique blend of spices including minced onion and garlic, white pepper, nutmeg, ginger and paprika, which give them unique flavor. When boiled, the outer skin turns a nice red-brown color and they maintain their snappiness. Grilled, the skin turns bubbly, crackly and even snappier, almost like the deep-fried rippers native to New Jersey. These will cost you a few cents more per dog, but the difference in quality is noticeable and well worth it.
9. Nathan’s Famous Skinless Beef Franks
Nathan’s Famous/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 84/100
A Coney Island staple with robust, meaty flavor that can hold its own underneath all your favorite condiments. It’s juicy without being greasy and super tender. But if you love your dogs snappy, keep looking; there’s no crunch on these when boiled and grilling only gives them a modest snap and light-brown color. We also noted a questionable soapy aftertaste when we bit into the boiled dog, so definitely use a barbecue or grill pan for these. That being said, this was one dog that we kept going back to for one more bite. Something about the mildly sweet flavor and soft texture make us want to have a whole bunch of these on a hot summer day instead of just one before a cheeseburger.
10. Oscar Mayer Uncured Cheese Dogs
Oscar Mayer/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 83/100
As the classic idiom goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. These cheese-filled dogs taste like our childhood and are guaranteed to win over every kid who tries them. They're giving us a "grilled ham and cheese sandwich made with Kraft Singles" vibe, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The creamy, cheesy flavor and decent snap come through best when grilled, plus they brown up pretty well. But they’re sweet and melty both boiled or grilled. If you’re hosting or have a bunch of kiddos coming to a cookout, look for the resealable ten-pack designed with families in mind.
11. Hillshire Farm Beef Hot Links
Amazon/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 83/100
We saw that Hillshire Farm commercial too many times (“I said a brat, beef kielbasa, hot-smoked sausage, cheddarwurst!”) that we had to give these a try. They're deep-red smoked beef sausages made with spicy red pepper and no fillers. We love the easy-to-open package. Grilled, the links browned beautifully and developed char marks on par with Beyond Meat’s brat. Their inner texture is a little uneven, closer to sausage than a hot dog; but they have a distinct outer skin that offers some chewiness (it falls a bit short of snappy). You can smell the red pepper while it cooks and taste the unique flavor it gives the links compared to regular dogs, though they’re not overly spicy at all. They're just as tasty boiled, but without those pretty char marks. So, if you’re hosting, fire up the grill.
12. Upton’s Naturals Updogs
Upton's Naturals/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 83/100
If you’re looking for a vegan dog that can hold its own against the flames and deliver the savory flavor you crave in a hot dog, this one fits the bill. Made from a base of water, wheat gluten and wheat flour (aka seitan), non-GMO Updogs have a pretty impressive snap, thanks to their algae-based outer casings. They're also impeccably cured and seasoned with traditional spices, like yellow mustard seed and celery seed. Hickory smoke concentrate gives them a touch of that magical charred flavor, so it’ll taste like you grilled it even if you seared it indoors on your cast iron skillet or grill pan instead. Even better, each link boasts a whopping 20 grams of protein each and no cholesterol. Each also contains 10 percent of your daily recommended potassium and 6 percent of your daily recommended calcium. One caveat: These babies shouldn’t be boiled, as it says on Upton’s website—trust us, we tried and they fell apart.
13. Hebrew National Kosher Beef Franks
Hebrew National/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 82/100
We were curious to see if these hot dogs lived up to their cult following. Before we even tasted them, we fell for the easy-to-open package (most of the products on this list needed scissors). They’re meaty and slightly smoky in flavor. The dogs turn deep red, tender and plump when cooked. Grilling one results in a thick, chewy outside that’s pleasing, but not notably snappy. Boiling, on the other hand, gives them a nice snap, extra juiciness and a distinct sweetness, so we’d pick these for boiling indoors on the stove.
14. Hofmann Sausage Company German Franks
Hofmann/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 80/100
If you’re from Central New York, odds are you’re familiar with Hofmann's franks. If not, allow us to introduce you. “[They’re] known for their refreshing, not-too-heavy texture and extreme snap,” says PureWow's editor in chief Jillian Quint. “The shape is longer and thinner than other franks on the list, and the result is a dog that's less meaty and juicy, but more likely to pick up the flavors of whatever you put on them or how you grill them.” The recipe for these old-fashioned dogs packed in natural lamb casing has been around for more than a century. Made from a blend of pork, beef and veal, they’re free of by-products, gluten, fillers and artificial flavors and colors. They may be tough to find depending on where you live, but if Hofmann’s dogs ever do cross your path, do yourself a favor and snag a pack. “My preference is over a charcoal grill with spicy mustard,” says Quint. “And they sell them at Wegmans in Brooklyn…just sayin’.”
15. Applegate The Great Organic Uncured Chicken Hot Dog
Amazon/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 76/100
Here’s another alternative for anyone avoiding red meat. Not only are they organic, but these uncured dogs are also antibiotic-, hormone-, sugar- and nitrate-free. Unlike the turkey dogs, these are light beige rather than hot-dog red. But they’re also strikingly flavorful, like well-seasoned chicken rather than chicken trying to imitate beef. We definitely recommend grilling them (they’re a bit dull when boiled, mostly because of their color) to get light char marks and blistered, crisp skin that makes for a decent snap.
16. Beyond Meat Beyond Sausage Plant-Based Brat
Beyond Meat/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 76/100
We had to see if all the hubbub around this popular vegan brand was warranted. And TBH, we’re impressed. These got the best char marks of all the dogs on this list! The alginate casing (as in made from algae) gets bubbly and crusty when grilled, while the inside remains savory and juicy. It’s a plant-based brat made from pea protein rather than a plant-based hot dog, but we think it’s safe to assume any herbivores at the barbecue won’t mind one bit. (Especially since it’s GMO-free and offers 16 grams of plant protein per link.) It imitates sausage in flavor with subtle notes of fennel and has a mouthfeel similar to ground meat. The package doesn’t have explicit boiling instructions, but we tried it anyway. The skin does still get a little bubbly and textured, but it pales in comparison to the grilled version.
17. Diestel Uncured Turkey Franks
Diestel Turkey Ranch/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 73/100
Those of you trying to cut down on processed or red meat may be looking for a leaner alternative. Enter this antibiotic-free swap, made from nothing but turkey, water and seasonings. We’ll give major props to their appearance because they look like regular beef hot dogs. Nevertheless, they taste like straight-up turkey, so don’t expect them to be an identical trade. You may need to adjust to their inner texture (they’re not as soft and silky as generic franks), but the skin does get nice and bubbly with a slight char when grilled. All in all, this is a solid (and juicy) replacement for someone seeking a healthier substitute.
18. Lightlife Smart Dogs Veggie Hot Dogs
Lightlife/Background: Rawin Tanpin/EyeEm/Getty Images
TOTAL: 70/100
Don’t eat meat? Soy and pea protein to the rescue. At only 50 calories a link with 7 grams of plant protein each, these veggie dogs fit into just about any diet (unless you’re allergic to soy). While their coloring is similar to beef franks, it’s obvious that they’re meatless in both taste and appearance. We wouldn’t suggest boiling them: They end up looking a bit unappetizing because the outer skin and inside are the exact same color, so they gave us some franken-food vibes. The boiled ones were also spongy, rubbery and so slippery that when we tried fishing it out of the pot with silicone tongs, it broke. But when grilled, it kept its color plus some random spots of browning and bubbling. The real perks here are the price and nutrition facts.
The PureWow100 is a scale our editors use to vet new products and services, so you know what’s worth the spend—and what’s total hype. Learn more about our process here.
Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.
