Sonoran Hot Dogs

Introduction

Think of a Sonoran Hot Dog as the offspring between your run-of-the-mill hot dog and taco. The bacon really earns this award spot: it gives a huge depth of flavor, and a lot more meatiness to match with the comparatively light touch given to opponents in the classic Tex Mex setup. Just imagine taking a bite of this delicious ensemble where each ingredient is playing harmoniously with one another, hence giving birth to a flavorsome explosion in your mouth. Created by the joint forces of Kool Aid Pickles and Evil Wiener food truck, this delicious mashup is putting your average hot dog to shame with every bite.

A Twist on Street Food

If you all have had LA street dogs before, then y’all know how delicious a plain ole hot dog can be but strolling up to the menu and asking for a Sonoran style hot dog? Hailing from Hermosillo, in the state of Sonora, these dogs found their way to Tucson, Arizona by crossing together on foot with Mexican immigrants. Those hot dogs were a sensation and if you’ve had one, you know that they are anything but the normal hot dog. A mix of traditional regional ingredients and custom toppings has elevated the status of the Sonoran Hot Dog to a local treasure, adding Tex Mex flare that will have you salivating for more.

Tried and True Recipe

I have never been to Sonora, but when visiting Tucson I used to devour their Sonoran Hot Dogs. Heck, I sampled one at El Guero Canelo, home of the Sonoran hot dog. It was this recipe, with its bacon-wrapped sausage, fresh tomatoes and sautéed onions that really encouraged me to try and make this experience happen in my home. You have to try this perfect trio of soft buns, smoky bacon plus the tasty toppings.

A Perfect Balance of Flavors

Essentially your standard hot dog on steroids, the Sonoran Hot Dog is elevated to a higher level of hotdog awesomeness. Even if it has a mushy bun and a hot dog buried in bacon, you can barely resist the temptation. Throw in some sautéed onions, diced fresh tomatoes and whatever else floats your boat = A WINNER MEAL!! You will never eat a regular hot dog in the same way again after trying this. Different enough to pull interest, but still a solidly blended choice for those looking for something the same… only different.

What is a Sonoran-Style Hot Dog

Now for your average hot dog, a Sonoran hot dog is not. This is Americanized Mexican street food at its best. This regional fast food dish is popular in Sonora, Mexico — and a signature Phoenix take on meat-wrapped meat has even found its way across the border to towns like Tucson. And the bun is different as well, in place of a typical hot dog bun there is a velvety bolillo roll which really aids to bring it all together. I did try these once using a brioche style hot dog bun and although it was not the same they actually turned out really good!

And those toppings are just as vital as the bacon-wrapped dog. A Sonoran dog is topped with beans, onions, tomatoes and grilled chili peppers. The dish gets rounded out with your choice of add ons on the side: jalapeno salsa, mayo and mustard. It is these layers of flavors that truly make this hot dog so different from the rest!

The first time I had tried a Sonoran hot dog was at a street cart in Tucson, and the moment was imprinted on me. The grilled onions and blistered peppers along with the bacon richness, this was something that had no comparison to me. This is a great dish if you are someone who likes really bold, savory flavors with just an extra little edge of heat.

Variations

There is no one way to make Sonoran hot dogs right. In reality, it almost seems that each Sonoran native I have spoken with has their own special approach to the dish. The bacon-wrapped hot dogs are called Sonoran-style, but the sauce and anything else put on them is open to interpretation or local culture.

For example, as most versions feature pickled jalapenos, some prefer a little crumbled cotija cheese on top for even more flavor. Some like to add cream, such as guacamole or cream, so that the hot dog looks smoother and softer. If you want a little bite of freshness, some pico de gallo and cilantro as well as some avocados all play quite well with the bold flavors.

A few people even use the more traditional American condiments, ketchup — but that’s OK, there’s flexibility with a Sonoran hot dog. From its fresh jalapeno peppers to cotija cheese everywhere, there are a million ways to enjoy it!

Sonoran style hot dog vs LA street dog

Among hot dogs, two front-runners are the Sonoran-style and LA Street Dog, though they are very different animals. LA Street Dog, aka Danger Dogs: A bacon-wrapped hot dog with grilled onions, bell peppers and jalapenos. It however is the one you will see in buns with ketchup, mayo and mustard. The toppings are more modest than the Sonoran style above, due to the lesser capacity of a normal bun.

The Sonoran version, however, features a different type of bolillo bun that works great with all the add-ons. Original ingredients including toppings, drunchies such as cotija cheese or chips I remember, Carter and me after a night out the smell of those street carts was always so tantalizing. Here the meal is utter bliss, especially after a night on the sleaze sauce.

Though the LA Street Dogs which are served by hundreds of mobile street carts around nightclubs, and major events, have become regarded as tasty treats in their own right, the Sonoran hot dog is known for its classic sense of style. Each is delicious in its own right, but the Sonoran hot dog really brings it home, melding flavors and textures that honor where it comes from.

Ingredients

• 4 hot dogs
• 4 slices of bacon
• 4 soft bolillo buns or brioche hot dog buns

Cooked Beans

• 1/2 cup dried pinto beans or 1 can pinto beans
• 1/4 onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp dried epazote or Mexican oregano
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1/2 jalapeno
• salt to taste

Other toppings

• 1/4 diced raw onion
• 1 large tomato deseeded & diced
• 1 onion thinly sliced and grilled
• 4 grilled yellow chili peppers

Condiments

• mayonnaise with lime juice
• mustard
• jalapeno salsa

Jalapeno Salsa

• 3 jalapenos
• 1 yellow chili pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 lime
• grilled onions
• cilantro
• salt
• water

Instructions

And the key to great Sonoran hot dogs is the frijoles. If using canned beans, just heat them in a sauce pan. Soak your dried pinto beans in water overnight, then drain the water and remove browned or deformed beans. I simply add a little water and some pieces of onion, jalapeno (without its seeds), garlic clove, cumin and salt to taste in the pot where I am going to cook them. Let them cook on medium low flame for about 1.5 to 2 hours or until done, out with water as needed. Beans are ready when the water thickens and when you can break them easily with your fingers.

Next, prepare your toppings. Then finely chop some onions and a few tomatoes too. Keep that aside. Some onions, sliced thinly for grilling, three jalapenos and a yellow chili Limes, cilantro and garlic clove. Step 3 – wrap those hot dogs tightly with bacon strips, Heat in a large skillet over medium heat. Turn the hot dogs as they cook so that they get crispy. Once the bacon oil has been released into the pan, add your sliced onions and peppers.

Turn them as and when needed till the chili has small black dots (this means it is roasted well ).. Also let them cook a bit while you give an ignorable attention..once should be charred, taking care not to make it go dark otherwise it becomes bitter and other should be soft to touch … .results the onions are sautéed nicely too.

To add, saute the onion a bit more with mustard for taste. For an easy salsa I combined the grilled jalapenos, a grilled yellow pepper, some grilled onions, cilantro, lime juice and salt along with a splash of water and blended it together! Last but not least is to steam your bolillo or hot dog buns by wrapping them up in a paper towel with some water, then microwaving for a few seconds.

So it’s time to build your Sonoran hot dog: lay down some lime mayo in the bun, then put the bacon-wrapped hot dog on top, followed by refries and diced tomatoes, more mayo (because why not?), grilled onions, yellow mustard, and the final layer of salsa. Also, you can serve with grilled yellow chili peppers on the side.