
Slow-simmering hot dogs in beer gives them a mellow flavor and tender texture that’s a great alternative to grilling or frying. Naturally you can top them with anything you want, but we think out beer infused sauerkraut makes the perfect complement.
An always classic side to any kind of hot dog are french fries. One of our favorites pairings with this recipe is our spicy garlic oven fries.
More hot dog recipes:

Hot Dogs Simmered in Beer
Ingredients
- 8 natural casing hot dogs, uncured if possible
- 1 lb sauerkraut
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 12 ounces lager beer, divided (see notes)
- 2 thick slices of sweet onion, separated into rings
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- 8 hot dog buns, lightly toasted and buttered
Instructions
- Place the sauerkraut in a colander, rinse lightly with cold water and drain thoroughly. Transfer to a large skillet, sprinkle with sugar and add 1/2 cup of the beer.
- Bring to a slow simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the beer has cooked off, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- While the sauerkraut simmers, place the onion, garlic and hot dogs in a sauté pan and pour in the remainder of the beer. Bring to a slow simmer over medium-low to medium heat. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, turning the hot dogs several times to ensure even cooking and flavor.
- To serve, drain the hot dogs on paper towels, place in the toasted buns and top with sauerkraut.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.