Hot Dog Glizzy Bacon Recipe

Servings

Serving your Hot Dog Glizzy Bacon is all about making it as flavorful and visually appealing as possible. I have a few suggestions for you on how to serve this delicious creation:

1. On a Soft Bun: Start by placing the bacon-wrapped hot dog on a freshly toasted brioche or soft sandwich bun. Brioche adds a buttery richness, but you can use any type of bun that holds up well to the toppings, like potato or pretzel buns.

2. Toppings Galore: After placing the hot dog in the bun, drizzle it generously with sriracha honey mustard for a sweet and spicy kick. Top with crispy fried onions for crunch, fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness, and pickled jalapeños for an extra tangy heat. You can also add a few slices of tomato, lettuce, or avocado to balance out the richness of the bacon.

3. Side Dishes: Serve your Hot Dog Glizzy Bacon with sides that complement the bold flavors. Think crispy sweet potato fries, regular French fries, or even a tangy coleslaw. For something lighter, a refreshing cucumber or pickle salad pairs nicely to cut through the richness.

4. Garnishes & Presentation: Make the hot dogs visually appealing by garnishing with extra cilantro and fried onions. A sprinkle of chili powder or smoked paprika can add a little more flair. Serve them on a platter lined with parchment paper or in individual serving baskets for a fun, casual vibe.

5. Dip Options: Consider offering some dipping sauces on the side, like extra sriracha honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or a creamy ranch. This gives your guests the freedom to customize each bite according to their preferences.

Tips

1. Use Thick-Cut Bacon

Go for thick-cut bacon when wrapping your hot dogs. Thin bacon tends to get too crispy and can lose its flavor and texture during cooking. Thick bacon provides that perfect crunch while still holding its smoky flavor and fat content.

2. Pre-cook the Bacon Slightly

Instead of wrapping the raw bacon around the hot dog and grilling it all together, you can partially cook the bacon in the oven until it’s about halfway done. This ensures the bacon crisps up nicely and doesn’t overcook while the hot dog is grilling. You’ll also prevent the bacon from being undercooked when the hot dog is done.

3. Grill the Hot Dogs for Extra Flavor

Grilling your hot dogs over medium heat will give them a nice char and enhance their smoky flavor. You can brush the hot dogs with a little bit of garlic butter or olive oil while grilling to add an extra layer of richness.

4. Toast the Buns

A soft, toasted bun can make all the difference. Lightly butter the inside of your buns and toast them on the grill or in a pan to give them a bit of extra flavor and texture. This helps the buns hold up to the juicy hot dog and bacon without getting soggy.

5. Customize the Toppings

The toppings are where you can get really creative. The standard sriracha honey mustard, fried onions, cilantro, and pickled jalapeños work wonderfully, but feel free to experiment with additional toppings like avocado, shredded cheese, or even coleslaw for extra crunch and flavor.

6. Consider the Heat Level

If you’re serving this to a crowd, consider adjusting the heat level to suit different tastes. You can offer extra sriracha or hot sauce on the side for those who want more spice. For a milder version, reduce the sriracha or skip the jalapeños altogether.

7. Keep It Balanced

Since this recipe has a combination of smoky bacon, spicy mustard, and pickled jalapeños, it’s important to balance those strong flavors with something refreshing. Adding fresh cilantro and keeping the fried onions light can help provide that balance, so it doesn’t feel too heavy.

8. Make it a Meal

If you want to serve these Hot Dog Glizzy Bacons as a full meal, pair them with hearty sides. Coleslaw, grilled vegetables, or a crisp salad are great ways to round out the meal while complementing the flavors of the hot dog.

9. Prep Ahead

If you're hosting a party or picnic, prep some elements ahead of time. Cook the bacon in advance and store it in the fridge, and make the sriracha honey mustard so it's ready to go. This will help you assemble the hot dogs quickly when it's time to serve.

10. Serve with Beverages

Because this is a fun, indulgent dish, pairing it with refreshing drinks like cold beers, lemonades, or even a fizzy soda can add to the experience. You could also offer a spicy cocktail or a mocktail for an extra touch.

Ingredient Substitutes

If you’re looking to substitute some ingredients in the Hot Dog Glizzy Bacon recipe to accommodate dietary preferences or to mix things up, here are some great alternatives:

1. Bacon Substitutes

• Turkey Bacon: If you prefer a leaner option, turkey bacon can be a good substitute. It’s lower in fat but still provides a smoky flavor.
• Pancetta or Prosciutto: For a more gourmet touch, you could wrap the hot dog with pancetta or prosciutto. Both options offer a similar salty, savory profile to bacon but with a different texture.
• Vegan Bacon: For a plant-based version, look for vegan bacon made from soy, tempeh, or coconut. These provide a similar smokiness and crunch without the animal products.

2. Hot Dog Substitutes

• Chicken or Turkey Dogs: For a leaner protein, chicken or turkey hot dogs are great substitutes while still maintaining the classic hot dog experience.
• Vegetarian or Vegan Sausages: There are several plant-based hot dog alternatives made from ingredients like tofu, seitan, or vegetable proteins. These can mimic the texture and flavor of traditional hot dogs.
• Bratwurst or Kielbasa: If you want a more robust flavor, consider using bratwurst or kielbasa sausages. They add a different spice profile but still work well with the bacon wrap.

3. Buns

• Gluten-Free Buns: For a gluten-free option, you can swap out the regular hot dog buns for gluten-free buns made from rice flour, potato flour, or almond flour.
• Lettuce Wraps: If you’re looking to reduce carbs or want a lighter option, you can wrap your hot dog glizzy bacon in large lettuce leaves (like Romaine or iceberg) for a refreshing and crunchy alternative.
• Pretzel Buns: For an extra touch of flavor and texture, you can serve your hot dog in a soft pretzel bun, which adds a slightly salty, doughy element.

4. Sriracha Honey Mustard

• Regular Mustard or Dijon Mustard: If you're not a fan of sriracha, you can swap the sriracha honey mustard for any type of mustard you prefer, such as yellow mustard or Dijon mustard. For added sweetness, you could mix the mustard with a little honey.
• Barbecue Sauce: If you want a smoky, tangy flavor, consider using barbecue sauce in place of the sriracha honey mustard. It will pair well with the bacon’s smokiness and enhance the overall flavor.
• Mayonnaise or Aioli: For a creamier option, swap in mayonnaise or aioli. You can add a little hot sauce or lemon juice to give it a kick.

5. Fried Onions

• Crispy Onion Straws: If you want a lighter, more delicate crunch, you could swap out fried onions for crispy onion straws, which have a thinner texture.
• Shallots or Green Onions: Thinly sliced shallots or green onions can add a mild onion flavor with a bit of crunch, offering a less greasy alternative to fried onions.
• Toasted Nuts or Seeds: For a unique twist, consider using toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even crushed peanuts to add crunch and an unexpected flavor.

6. Pickled Jalapeños

• Fresh Jalapeños: If you prefer a fresher, less tangy option, fresh jalapeños can still bring the heat without the acidity of pickled ones.
• Other Pickled Vegetables: If you don’t like the taste of pickled jalapeños, try substituting with other pickled veggies, such as pickled red onions, cucumbers, or even pickled carrots for a different flavor profile.
• Banana Peppers: If you're not a fan of spicy, banana peppers can provide a milder, tangy bite that works well with the bacon.

7. Cilantro

• Parsley: For those who aren’t fans of cilantro’s distinctive flavor, parsley is a great alternative. It offers a fresh, mild herbaceous taste that still brightens the dish.
• Basil: If you want a slightly different flavor, fresh basil adds a lovely aromatic touch that pairs nicely with the savory bacon.
• Green Onions: For an oniony, fresh flavor, green onions can be a good substitute for cilantro, especially for people who don’t enjoy cilantro’s taste.