Hot dogs are a mandatory part of a perfect BBQ for many. They're also rarely seen as health food. But if you're trying to strike that delicate balance between enjoying a well-cooked hot dog and maintaining a particular diet, you're not out of luck: Lean hot dogs exist.
These unique hot dogs have significantly less fat than the standard wieners. But even though they're the exact same size as those typical hot dogs, watch out: Tossing them on the grill and cooking them as normal is a huge mistake. As it turns out, the fat in regular hot dogs not only adds flavor — it also helps the dogs retain juicy texture, even when cooked under high heat.
Without that extra fat, lean dogs can dry out fast and turn tough and stiff. Lean hot dog eaters aren't condemned to this fate, though. Smoky, juicy lean dogs are achievable with a bit of patience and the right techniques.
The proper way to cook lean hot dogs Just like lean meat, lean hot dogs require gentle cooking. The key is to use lower temperatures and give them a bit more time to cook through. On a grill, start by cooking your dogs in the indirect heat zone of the grill .
Then, give them a quick sear over direct heat for that killer char. You can also bake the dogs in the oven on a tray at medium-low heat; this is a great hands-off way to get even cooking throughout. Another method is to cook the dogs in a cast iron pan, which will give you a nice crispy outside without exposing the dogs directly to extreme heat.
To make your hot do.