Crock Pot Hot Dogs

Crock pot hot dogs are easy to make and cook up tender and juicy with a snap. Not only does it take just a few minutes and even less effort, this is the perfect way to make hot dogs for a crowd!

Crock Pot Hot Dogs

Hot dogs are the perfect party food for many reason. Pretty much everyone loves hot dogs, they can be topped a variety of ingredients, and are an affordable way to feed large groups.

Because they can be cooked many different ways, you can serve them for just about any occasion in any location. Believe me when I say that this makes a kid’s birthday party child’s play!

I have made a ton of hot dogs in a pot on the stove, on the grill, in the smoker, over a campfire, and even the air fryer.

But of all these ways, this slow cooking method is by far the easiest.

Why make hot dogs in a crockpot?

• minimal effort
• one pot to clean
• you can cook up to 60 hot dogs at a time
• easy to keep warm after cooking
• makes serving easier
• best way to get cook them!

Serving Suggestions

What’s the best thing about serving hot dogs? They go with everything! Not only can you put quite a few different items on top of them but you can serve them with anything too.

Some of my favorites are coleslaw (on top or next to them), potato salad, baked beans, potato chips, or macaroni and cheese.

See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.

Ingredient Notes

• Hot dogs – Use your favorite brand of hot dogs. They pretty much all work including the low fat chicken dogs.
• Slow cooker – I like to use a crockpot that is at least 6 quarts. That way I can cook a bunch of hot dogs.

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How To Cook Hot Dogs In A Crock Pot

First: Open the hot dog packages and drain the liquid. Place the dogs in the slow cooker and either stand them up on end or lay them down. Spread them around evenly.

Second: Cover and cook on high 2-3 hours rotating them every 30-45 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165F.

Three: Reduce the temperature to the warm setting where they will keep for 3-4 hours.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post.

How many hot dogs can you put in a crock pot?

I first used this crock pot I received when I got married, some 20ish years ago, and it is a round, 4.5 quart model. Most of the models now are between 6 and 10 quart, and are oval in shape.

Choose the size of the slow cooker based on how many hot dogs you want to cook.

• a 2.5 quart holds around 20-24 hot dogs
• 4 quart will hold up to 48 hot dogs
• 6 quart will hold up to 60 hot dogs
• 10 quart will hold over 100 hot dogs

Do I have to stand them up or can I lay them down?

Depending on the length of the hot dog. Regular size, bun length, and jumbo are not created equal.

• standard size = 4.8 inches
• bun length = 6 inches
• jumbo = 6 inches but thicker in diameter
• foot long = 12 inches

A round 6 quart can hold 60 regular size hot dogs standing up, because they are not particularly long. The bun length ones are too long to stand on end, so you will have to lay them flat.

Because of this, it can really only cook about 40 bun length ones.

If you use a larger oval model you can stand them on end and cook more at one time. Best to measure your slow cooker insert before you head to the store to get your dogs.

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Do you add water to crock pot when cooking hot dogs?

That’s the best part of cooking hot dogs this way. No hot dog water! And the texture of the hot dogs is amazing.

As the hot dogs slowly cook, they will release moisture which is enough steam to cook them in the crock pot. This creates a tender and juicy center and a crisp outside that snaps when you bite into it.

Just the way I like them!

Keeping Them Warm

After cooking the hot dogs in the crockpot, turn the slow cooker to the warm setting. Keep the hot dogs warm for 2-3 hours. After that they will start to dry out so enjoy them before then.

My old slow cooker doesn’t have a keep warm setting, just a low setting. If that is the case then they will keep on low for an hour. But, they were all eaten by then anyway!

How long do they last?

Unopened packages can be stored in the refrigerator until they reach their expiration date. If you are not planning on using them before then, they can be frozen for up to 6 months.

Once the package is opened, they will last up to 5 days if stored in an air tight container in the fridge.

Leftover cooked hot dogs will keep in the fridge, stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can freeze the cooked hot dogs the same as before for up to 2 months.

Just thaw in the refrigerator and reheat when ready to enjoy.

Hot Dog Bar

Now that you have a large amount of tender and juicy hot dogs, what are you going to do with them? Make a hot dog bar! Since you didn’t use any time cooking them, take that time to set up all the various toppings. Here are a few ideas.

Favorite Toppings

• Hot Dog Chili
• Slaw
• Cheese
• Onion
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Relish
• Salsa
• Pico
• Peppers
• Lettuce
• Tomato

Best Hot Dog Combinations

• Chili Cheese Dog: chili, cheese sauce, and diced onion
• Chicago Dog: All beef hot dog, yellow mustard, relish, chopped onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers, in a steamed poppy seed bun
• Reuben Dog: sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, 1000 island dressing
• California: veggie or chicken dog, avocado, pico de gallo, and bacon
• Southwest: BBQ sauce, fried onions, jalapeno slices

While you’re at putting together the buffet line, don’t forget the hot dog buns, plates, napkins, cutlery, side dishes, and drinks.

Can you cook hot dogs in a crock pot?

​Depends on the following:

• Are the hot dogs pre-cooked?
• What is the size of your slow cooker?
• How many hot dogs are you making?

Are hot dogs pre-cooked?

Most hotdogs are precooked but they still need to be heated to a safe internal temperature before eating. My go to hotdog for cooking for a crowd is a chicken dog. They are tasty and lower in saturated fat.

Not just for chicken, this method works for any type of hot dogs: beef, pork, and even sausage dogs!

Here are my favorite brands:

• Chicken Dogs: Gwaltney
• Beef: Hebrew National, Nathan’s
• Pork: Ball Park, Oscar Meyer

If you love brats instead hot dogs like my husband does, check out How to Grill Brats!

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

This slow cooker hot dog recipe is perfect for a graduation party, picnics, backyard bbqs, summer parties, family reunions, birthday parties, tailgating, and sleepovers for the kids. It’s the easiest way to feed a crowd of hungry friends and makes the best hot dogs!

{Originally published 07/19/2020 – photos and notes updated 03/11/2024 to improve reader experience}

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