West Virginia Slaw Dogs
Equipment
- Normal Kitchen Utensils
- Multi-Cooker (Optional)
Ingredients
- For the Slaw Dogs:
- 8 Hot Dogs
- 8 Hot Dog Buns
- 2 C Creamy Coleslaw See Notes for a Basic Recipe
- 1/2 C Yellow or White Onion Diced, Plus More to Taste
- 1/4 C Yellow Mustard Plus More to Taste
- For the Chili:
- 1 Lb Ground Beef
- 1 1/4 C Water or Beef Broth
- 8 Oz. Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 C Ketchup or Chili Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika Or More Chili Powder
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Start by Making the Chili. Brown the meat in a large pot or multi-cooker with a heavy pinch of salt and pepper. Break up the meat really well while it cooks.1 Lb Ground Beef, Salt and Pepper to Taste
- Once browned, add the water, or beef broth, and bring everything to a boil.1 1/4 C Water or Beef Broth
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the tomato sauce, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, 1 tsp black pepper and another heavy pinch of salt (if you used beef broth with salt, hold off on adding this additional salt; you can always add more later). Mix everything to combine and cover the pot.1 Tbsp Onion Powder, 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Chili Powder, 1 tsp Paprika, 1 tsp Cumin
- Cook the chili for at least 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. When using a multi-cooker, I like to cook it on high for 4 hours. The more the merrier. Plan for this cooking time to end a half hour before serving.
- If you are preparing your own coleslaw (feel free to use the simple recipe in the notes), do so while the chili cooks. Be sure to give the slaw enough time to develop its flavors. This usually takes at least an hour.2 C Creamy Coleslaw
- About a half hour before serving, stir the ketchup/chili sauce and Worcestershire sauce into the chili. Cover and continue cooking for a final 30 minutes.At this time, I also like to take the coleslaw out of the refrigerator to warm to room temperature. This keeps it from cooling the chili dogs down when topped with the coleslaw. If you prefer the contrast between hot and cold, keep the coleslaw in the fridge for now.1/2 C Ketchup or Chili Sauce, 2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- While the chili finishes cooking, cook the hotdogs to your liking. I like to grill them or cook them in a pan on the stove. A lot of people like to boil or steam them. Just make sure they are cooked.8 Hot Dogs
- Do the same warming the buns. Toast them on the stove or grill, or steam them (obviously don't boil them).8 Hot Dog Buns
- Once the chili has finished the final 30 minutes of cooking, taste it for salt and pepper.
- To build each 'dog, open the bun and top with your desired amount of yellow mustard and diced onion. Add a hot dog on top of that. Top with chili and, finally, coleslaw. Serve right away with your favorite hotdog sides (maybe some more coleslaw)!1/2 C Yellow or White Onion, 1/4 C Yellow Mustard
Notes
Cultural Fusion on a Bun
These slaw dogs have a rich cultural heritage in West Virginia. Their origin reflects a fusion of culinary traditions, influenced by the diverse cultures that shaped the region’s cuisine. When hot dogs gained popularity in the United States, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest, variations of the street food staple inevitably began to emerge as vendors and diners experimented with different toppings and condiments. The slaw dog was born as one of these variations likely including West Virginia’s influences from Appalachian, German, and Eastern European cuisines. German immigrants in particular, with their love for sausages and cabbage-based dishes, likely played a large role in inspiring this unique pairing of hot dog and coleslaw.
Rumor has it that the slaw dog began at The Stopette Drive In on Route 21 near Charleston, West Virginia, during the Great Depression. Since then, variations of slaw dogs have gained popularity in other states like Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and the Carolinas. But the West Virginia slaw dog remains the OG (original gangsta).
The Iconic Slaw Line
Since the beginning of the Slaw Dog in West Virginia, a division, in good fun, has grown across the Mountain State (fun fact: West Virginia is the only state that exists entirely within the the region of the Appalachian Mountains). The “slaw line” denotes this division, showing a geographical split between the areas that add coleslaw to their hot dogs, and the areas that don’t. This term highlights the essential role that coleslaw plays in this regional specialty, setting West Virginia slaw dogs apart from other styles of hot dogs. For more information about the slaw line, visit the West Virginia Hot Dog Blog.
A Dish That Leaves a Legacy
In short, West Virginia Slaw Dogs are a prime example of food’s interplay with culture and history. They have not only become a staple in Appalachian cuisine, themselves being steered by recipes of the past, but have also influenced the creation of other dishes across the country. Their unique combination of flavors and textures has inspired countless variations of hot dog creations, showcasing the enduring legacy of this beloved regional specialty. You have to give them a try!
Some content edited/generated with the help of ChatGPT | OpenAI: https://www.openai.com/