Meat · Cured & processed meats

Frankfurter (hot dog sausage)

Fine-textured, precooked smoked sausage — the hot dog; heated in water or on the grill.

Also called: hot dog, wiener, frank, salchicha, vienna sausage

Around the world: salchicha (es)

What it is

Frankfurters (wieners, franks, Vienna sausages) are made from finely emulsified pork, beef or a mix, stuffed into thin casings, cooked and smoked. They are smooth and uniform inside, unlike coarse sausages, and need only reheating.

How it’s used

Hot dogs in buns
Sliced into soups, stews and fried rice
Currywurst-style with sauce
Pigs in blankets and sausage rolls
Latin American salchipapas

Characteristics

Taste: Mild, salty and smoky.
Texture: Smooth, springy and juicy with a snap.
When cooked: Heat gently in simmering water or on the grill; boiling hard can split them.
Sold as: smoked, canned
Cooking uses: Commonly cooked, Suitable for grilling, Suitable for boiling
Common in: German, Austrian, American, Colombian, Peruvian, Filipino, Japanese

Storage

Refrigerated. Keep refrigerated; once opened, use within about a week. Freezes well.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions. May contain Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Soy, Mustard — check the label.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free (check label)
Egg-free
Gluten-free (check label)
Nut-free
Soy-free (check label)
Caffeine-free

Hot dogs can carry Listeria; pregnant people, older adults and the immunocompromised should heat them until steaming.
A choking hazard for young children unless cut lengthwise into small pieces.
May contain milk, wheat, soy and mustard.