Get ready to elevate your hot dog game with this mouthwatering sausage dog recipe featuring spicy, smoky andouille sausage! Perfect for cookouts, game day, or a quick weeknight meal, these sausage dogs are packed with bold Cajun flavors.
The rich, savory andouille sausage pairs perfectly with a variety of toppings like grilled onions, mustard, or even a spicy remoulade, bringing a taste of Louisiana to every bite. Whether you’re a fan of classic hot dogs or looking for something with a little more kick, this andouille sausage dog is sure to satisfy. Let’s fire up the grill and dig in!
Related recipe posts:
Atomic Andouille Sausage Dog w/ Collard Green Chow Chow - hot dog recipe for perfectly grilled sausage with plump, juicy interior and crisp seared skin topped with a delicious tangy relish.
Do you hate a hot dog that is scorched black on the outside but not fully cooked on the inside? Or that dog that is shriveled like a prune or fingertips that have been immersed in water too long? If so, then I have the perfect sausage dog recipe for you. It works for both your beef hot dogs as well as sausage.
And this one provides the goods- from the spicy paprika and garlic laced cajun andouille sausage to the over the top collard greens relish and the grated sweet potatoes. It's a straight-up soulful, funky dog.
Beats and Eats (music to pair with sausage dogs)
Andouille is one of my favorite sausages and it brings its own level of moderate heat. However, if you're want that FIRE try sprinkling a lil of "atomic dust" as a finishing salt. Atomic dust" is just celery salt and ground ghost pepper combined.
Yeah, this is a story of a famous dog
For the dog that chases its tail will be dizzy
These are spicy dogs, rhythmic dogs
Harmonic dogs, soulful dogs, sausage dogs
Atomic dogs
I'm obsessed with texture as it relates to food, and my obsession reaches absurd levels when it comes to encased meats. Living in Chicago near the legendary Hot Doug's probably spoiled me rotten.
Everyone of his dogs had that crispy tight skin and juicy not dried out interior. In my world hot dog view a good dog is plump and skin tight and the best way to achieve this is a two step poach and sear approach detailed below.
Sausage Dog Ingredients
- Hot Dog Buns
- Andouille Sausage
- Pickled Red Onions
- Dijon Mustard
- Relish
Andouille Sausage Dog Recipe Instructions
- Add onions and beer to a small disposable aluminum roasting pan and bring to a simmer over direct medium heat on the grill. Add sausage and cook for 8-10 minutes
- Slide the pan over to the cool side of the grill and then using tongs remove sausage from liquid and grill them directly over the hot fire 2-3 minutes.
- Toast the buns on the grill. Remove the buns then add a smoked sausage to each. Add your favorite toppings and serve.
- Review recipe notes or detailed recipe card for more details.
Perfect Grilled Sausage Hot Dog Cooking Considerations
- Casing matters; don't skimp and go the skinless route. Use dogs with natural casing or just go with a good sausage. A good dog should have some snap to it when you bite into it. I fuss over getting the right sausage because I want that real burst of flavor from all the seasonings inside
- Don't split the dog as this let's out the juice and is a major flavor kill
- Never throw a fresh dog onto the grill right away. Render it for a few minutes first and then turn up the heat to get that crisped up casing. Otherwise if you go straight to the grill, the casing is more apt to stick and eventually tear messing up your work of art.
- Pre-season the meat with beer and onions by steeping/slow poaching the sausage/hot dog in aluminum pan before throwing the dogs directly on the grill. This is the best approach for reaching the desired interior doneness combined with a crisp, un-split skin.
- Temperature matters. Ideally you want an internal temperature of 155°F. Gently poaching the dogs in water set at 155°F. Now a poached dog is the most unsexiest encased meat you will ever see. This is where the grill comes in - it gives that char, color, and smoky flavor. Admittedly grilling does bring a level of anxiety - there is the concern of drying out the dog as well as burning the exterior.
- Toast your buns. Enough said
- These make for great tailgating food. Add these to your tailgate rotation.
Serving Suggestions
For toppings it's your call, as I know this is very personal, but my guidance would be to go for sweetness + acidic + heat. I used home made collard greens chow chow relish for acidity, kicked up mustard for heat, and grated sweet potato for sweetness. For the record, I know nothing about ketchup on my dog! I'm strictly mustard.
Why a collards based relish you ask? Well cause I like collards and trying to get folk to eat more collards.
Other topping ideas include green bell peppers or simply peppers and onions. I like to take yellow onion slices and saute them down to caramelized level.
Cheese is also an option. I like crumble cheese like a feta, but you can add grated or sliced cheddar cooking long enough until the cheese melts.
For a good onions recipe simply make some caramelized onions and use as a topping. Onions fried to a golden brown is another option.
Lead things off with an appetizer of grilled jerk shrimp followed with a side of potato salad.
Sausage dogs make for great main course cuisine and pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides that complement their bold flavors. Here are some great options to serve alongside them:
- Coleslaw – The crisp, tangy crunch of coleslaw balances the richness of the sausage.
- Potato Salad – A creamy, hearty potato salad adds a classic touch to any sausage dog meal.
- Grilled Vegetables – Charred peppers, onions, and zucchini make a flavorful side.
- Baked Beans – Sweet and smoky baked beans are a traditional pairing with sausages.
- Corn on the Cob – Grilled or boiled corn on the cob, slathered with butter, is a perfect summertime side.
- Fries or Sweet Potato Fries – Crispy fries, regular or sweet potato, add a satisfying crunch.
- Pickles – Tangy pickles help cut through the richness of the sausage, adding a bright contrast.
Substitutions for Andouille
There are many delicious sausage options to use for sausage dogs, each offering unique flavors:
- Bratwurst – A classic, mildly seasoned German sausage, perfect for grilling.
- Chorizo – A spicy, smoky sausage with bold flavors, great for a kick of heat.
- Italian Sausage – Available in sweet or spicy varieties, with flavors of fennel and garlic.
- Kielbasa – A Polish sausage with a smoky, garlicky taste, ideal for grilling or boiling.
- Hot Links – Spicy, Cajun-style sausages that bring heat and flavor to your sausage dog.
- Polish Sausage – Mildly seasoned and perfect with mustard and sauerkraut.
- Chicken Sausage – A lighter option, often flavored with herbs like basil or spinach.
- Veggie Sausage – A plant-based option for those looking for a meatless alternative.
Each of these sausages brings something different to the table, letting you customize your sausage dog to suit any taste!
Variations
There are several tasty variations you can try with an andouille sausage dog to enhance its bold, smoky flavor:
- Creole Andouille Dog – Top with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and Creole mustard for a classic Louisiana twist.
- Cajun Andouille Dog – Add a spicy remoulade, pickled jalapeños, and shredded lettuce for a Cajun kick.
- BBQ Andouille Dog – Drizzle with barbecue sauce and top with crispy fried onions for a smoky, sweet combo.
- Gumbo Dog – Add gumbo-inspired toppings like okra, tomatoes, and a sprinkle of file powder.
- Andouille Dog with Pimento Cheese – Slather on some creamy, spicy pimento cheese for a Southern-inspired indulgence.
What if I don't want to fire up my grill for just a few minutes?
I understand it may not be an efficient use of your time to fire up the grill for such a short time. If you prefer not to, broiling has almost the same effect minus the smokiness. Be sure to position the rack as close to the broiler as possible
Can I Use Other Types of Sausage?
Yes indeed! The recipe is versatile, so feel free to use your favorite sausage. I typically use whatever I have on hand. Recently I used merguez sausage which if you can find it's well worth it.
MORE RECIPES
Grilled Cheese Sandwich w/ Andouille
MAKE THIS RECIPE
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Ingredients
- 4 Hot dog buns
- 4 andouille sausage links
- 2 tablespoon grated sweet potato
- Collard Green Chow Chow Relish
- Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add onions and beer to a small disposable aluminum roasting pan and bring to a simmer over direct heat on the grill. Cook for 8-10 minutes
- Slide the pan over to the cool side of the grill and then using tongs remove sausage from liquid and grill them directly over the hot fire 2-3 minutes.
- Toast the buns on the grill. Remove the buns then add a sausage to each. Add your favorite toppings and serve.