Add a Twist to Your BBQ: Spiral-Cut Hot Dogs for Grilling

I don't know about you, but I think one of the reasons Americans love hot dogs so much is that they're simple. Take them out of their package, put them on a grill, and, boom, they're done.

However, if you want to get a little fancy with your dog, the people at Chowhound have explained a way to do that by spiraling it and you can bet I'm going to try this next time I grill up some dogs.

Oh, and if you're thinking, "Oh great, a cool idea that will take a lot of time," nope. All that this involves is a skewer and a knife.

The best part? Not only do these hot dogs look fancy, but by spiring them, the condiments are less likely to slide around and end up on your shirt!

Get our free mobile app

Start by skewering the dog through its center with a skewer. If you make a mistake, no worries, you can adjust the skewer and try again. Next, hold the knife at a slight angle and cut all the way down to the skewer as you roll the dog away from you. Cut to the edge, then remove the skewer, and your hot dog is now ready for grilling.

Why would you want to spiral-cut a hot dog? Spiral-cut hot dogs cook up straight, allowing for an even char on all sides and a perfect fit in a bun. The spiral cut also increases the surface area, resulting in more crispy, caramelized meat goodness, and the threads form small crevices, preventing chunky condiments from sliding around. Plus, it adds a visually appealing touch, making it a great conversation starter.