Seattle Hot Dog (1980s/1990s, Seattle, WA, USA)

Seattle Hot Dog

The Seattle Hot Dog, famous for its cream cheese and grilled onions, became a late-night favorite in the 1980s/1990s in Pioneer Square. Easy to make and delicious!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 Hot Dogs

Equipment

• Normal Kitchen Utensils
• A flat top grill/griddle is great for this recipe

Ingredients

  

• 8 Hot Dogs
• 8 Hot Dog Buns
• 8 Oz. Plain Cream Cheese
• 1 Large Sweet Onion
• 3 Tbsp Butter
• 2-3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil or Additional Butter
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 1/4 tsp Sugar (Optional)
• Your Favorite Hot Dog Condiments (Optional)
• See Recipe Notes If You Want To Add Cabbage

Instructions

 

• Melt the 3 Tbsp of butter in a large pot over medium-high heat.
  3 Tbsp Butter
• Thinly slice your onion and add it to the pot along with 1/4 tsp of salt and the (optional) sugar. Cook the onions, stirring often, for 20 minutes. They should darken to a peanut butter brown – with a large amount of caramelization, but still able to hold themselves together pretty well.

  Note: WATCH THEM. If you don't stir often enough, they will start to char. A little char is fine – just not a lot.
  1 Large Sweet Onion, 1/4 tsp Sugar, Salt and Pepper to Taste
• While the onions cook, heat a portion of the oil or extra butter in a large skillet/pan over medium high heat. A flat top would do great here, in place of the skillet/pan.
  2-3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil or Additional Butter
• Use this pan to grill the buns and then the hot dogs. Start by opening your hot dog buns and adding them, in batches, face down to toast. Add more oil/butter between batches as necessary to help them toast. Each buns should take 1-2 minutes.
  8 Hot Dog Buns
• When the buns are toasted, remove them to a plate or serving platter.
• Add the hot dogs to the now empty pan to cook, flipping occasionally. Cook them to your desired doneness/char level.

  Optional Step: a number of Seattle Dog vendors split their hot dogs lengthwise and grill them flat – in order to get even more meat to heat contact. Feel free to do that here.
  8 Hot Dogs
• While the hot dogs cook, heat up the cream cheese. I generally just microwave it in a microwave safe container for two sets of 30 seconds, but you are welcome to heat it in a small pot, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat.
  8 Oz. Plain Cream Cheese
• When the onions and hot dogs finish cooking, give the onions a taste for seasoning. Consider adding some fresh cracked pepper here. It adds another layer of flavor to the sweetness of the onions, the saltiness of the hot dog and the tanginess of the cream cheese.
• Now to assemble:

  For each hot dog, take a toasted bun and slather up to 1/8 of the cream cheese evenly over the inside. Add a grilled hot dog and top with 1/8 of the onions. Add any of your desired (optional) extra condiments here.
  Your Favorite Hot Dog Condiments
• Repeat the previous step for all of the hot dogs and serve right away.

Notes

If you want to add cabbage to your Seattle Dogs, replace half of the onion with 1 C of thinly sliced green cabbage – that’s roughly 1/8 a medium head of cabbage. Cook the onion per the original instructions, adding the cabbage to the onion 10 minutes into the cook time (halfway). 

If you add cabbage, I recommend not using the (optional) sugar and instead adding a little extra black pepper. 

Keyword 1980s, 1990s, Caramelized, Cheese, Cream, Dog, Green Onion, Grilled, Hot, Seattle

A Hot Dog with a Twist

Seattle is known for seafood, coffee, and grunge music, but it also has its own take on the humble hot dog. The Seattle Hot Dog, made with cream cheese and grilled onions, stands out with its bold flavors. While the combination may seem odd at first, the creamy richness of the cheese with the sweet, semi-caramelized onions brings a satisfying balance.

A Street Food Classic from the ’80s and ’90s

This hot dog style took off in the 1980s and 1990s, starting in Seattle’s bustling Pioneer Square nightlife scene. Street vendors served late-night crowds, offering this creative twist on hot dogs, which quickly became a local favorite. The addition of cream cheese may have begun as an experiment but soon transformed into a regional delicacy. Over the decades, it has solidified its place as a true Seattle staple.

Make It Your Own

This recipe sticks to the basics, but if you want to experiment, try sautéing cabbage with the onions or even adding some fresh cracked black pepper for a slight kick. You can also add any of your favorite hot dog condiments if you choose. The beauty of the Seattle Dog is its versatility, making it perfect for adding your own twist. If you’re a fan of hot dogs, check out my recipes for Huevos con Salchicha or West Virginia Slaw Dogs. If you can’t get enough cream cheese, try this French Onion Cream Cheese Schmear or Jalapeño Popper Pizza.

If you want to learn more, Seattle Weekly wrote a great article about the Seattle Hot Dog. It explores the competing stories of its origin and interviews current vendors. You’ll be amazed at the level of technical innovation behind crafting a speedy Seattle Dog!

Enjoy bringing a taste of Seattle to your kitchen!

_{Some content edited/generated with the help of ChatGPT | OpenAI: https://www.openai.com/}