Hot Dog Sauce Recipe: Grandpa Bob’s Famous Summer Sauce

A sweet, tangy, slow-simmered hot dog sauce recipe that turns any dog (or burger, or grilled sausage) into something special.

Built on buttery onions and peppers, this homemade sauce simmers with ketchup, a little sugar, mustard powder, and Worcestershire sauce. It’s savory, a little sweet, a little tangy—and surprisingly versatile. I add a splash of cider vinegar and a pinch of chili flakes for brightness and just a whisper of heat. You can slather it on hot dogs, spoon it over burgers, or swirl it into mac and cheese. Think of it as your new favorite summer condiment.

---

The Story Behind the Sauce

Most of the recipes I share here come from the matriarchs in my family—the women who stirred pots, folded batters, and passed things down across generations. But this one is an exception. This is Grandpa Bob’s recipe.

My paternal grandfather, Bob, died before I was born—just 54 years old. My dad and his siblings were still young, and with both parents gone, my Aunt Liz stepped in to raise them. I grew up knowing only the basics: that Bob was a social worker for labor unions, and that he had a big, generous spirit. But I didn’t know the stories. The food. The warmth.

A few years ago, before my Aunt Peggy passed, I sat down with her to ask everything—about her childhood, her parents, the recipes and flavors that defined their family. One memory stayed with me: summer weekends at Chapman Lake. Grandpa Bob loved those lake days. Family everywhere. Kids in the water. Teenagers stretched out on the flat roof. Friends coming and going.

And there was Bob, wearing his chef hat, manning the grill, proudly stirring a pot of his famous hot dog sauce recipe—his signature dish. Tangy, sweet, and deeply seasoned, it was the taste of summer at the lake.

When I finally got the handwritten recipe, it felt like a little piece of him had returned. And then, almost miraculously, I found old home video footage: Bob at the grill, smiling, hot dogs sizzling, kids darting through the frame, the lake shimmering behind them. For the first time, I could see him. Not just in stories—but in motion, in his element.

Bringing this recipe back to life has been more than nostalgic—it’s been a gift. A quiet, unexpected connection to someone I never had the chance to meet. And as it turns out? The sauce is every bit as delicious as the legend promised.

---

How to Use this Hot Dog Sauce Recipe

Don’t let the name fool you—this tangy, sweet sauce isn’t just for hot dogs. Try it:

• Spooned over grilled sausages or bratwurst
• Spread on burgers before the cheese melts
• Swirled into mac and cheese or baked beans
• Dolloped over scrambled eggs or crispy hash browns
• As a dip for fries, tots, or roasted potatoes
• Slathered on a sandwich with roast turkey or ham

It’s the kind of sauce that tastes like summer—and keeps the flavor going long after the cookout ends.

---

Ingredients

• UNSALTED BUTTER
• ONIONS (DICED)
• BELL PEPPERS (DICED) (Any color)
• KETCHUP
• CIDER VINEGAR
• WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
• DRY MUSTARD (COLEMAN’S IS MY FAVE!)
• RED PEPPER FLAKES

Step-by-Step Instructions for Bob’s Famous Hot Dog Sauce

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. 
2. Add the diced onions and bell pepper. Sauté until very soft and fragrant, about 10-12 minutes. 

3. Stir in the sugar, dry mustard, salt and red pepper flakes (or chili crisp). Cook for 1-2 minutes to give the spices a chance to bloom.

4. Add the ketchup, cider vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine. 

5. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce is thickened and glossy.