American
Seattle-Style Hot Dog
Cream cheese and caramelized onions on a grilled frank — the unexpectedly perfect Pacific Northwest bite.
Recipe by Cyman Huang
Cooked, styled and photographed in his kitchen.
If you haven't heard of the Seattle-style hot dog, you are in for a revelation. A grilled sausage, cream cheese spread generously in the bun, caramelized onions on top, with optional jalapeños and sriracha — it emerged from Seattle's late-night food cart scene and became a city institution.
The cream cheese sounds strange. In practice it creates a rich, tangy background that makes everything else taste better.
Watch it come together
Ingredients
- 4 bratwurst or Polish kielbasa-style sausages
- 4 hoagie-style buns, split
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- Pinch of sugar
- Pinch of salt
- Sriracha (optional)
- Pickled jalapeños (optional)
Method
- 1
CARAMELIZE ONIONS: Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, sugar and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, 25–30 minutes until deeply golden and jammy. Do not rush this with high heat.
- 2
GRILL THE SAUSAGES: Score the sausages lengthwise (3–4 cuts, not all the way through) and grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat, turning, until charred and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes.
- 3
TOAST THE BUNS: Toast cut-side down on the grill or in the skillet until golden.
- 4
BUILD: Spread a generous layer of softened cream cheese inside each bun, add the sausage, top with a large spoonful of caramelized onions, then sriracha and jalapeños if desired.
Substitutions
- Chef's Tip: The cream cheese must be at room temperature or it will tear the bun. Take it out at least 30 minutes ahead, or warm it in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Cook this next
American
The Slaw Dog
A Southern staple from West Virginia to Georgia — mustard, chili and a mountain of creamy slaw.
American
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
Seven precise toppings on a poppy seed bun — “dragged through the garden,” and absolutely no ketchup.