Hamburgers? Well that's always my hubby's first choice... But not mine!!! (with all due respect). My favorite choice between two slices of bread has always been long and juicy: Hot dogs, Brazilian-style.... although I also have other faves, such as the comforting Top Hat Bananas Sandwich (Sanduíche de Cartola) and the refreshing Beach-Style Cold Chicken Sandwich (Sanduíche Natural de Frango).
Now then, what is a Brazilian-style hot dog? Well, if you've never had the opportunity to get a bite of our hot dog, now is your chance. I highly recommend not wasting one second more. Make it happen NOW. We are talking about a plump sausage link (plumpness technique below) topped with well-seasoned and saucy ground beef and melted cheese. 😉
Oh, that's not all!!! It gets more and more interesting, because this wicked hot dog is usually served with a range of accompaniments such as shoestring potatoes, mashed potatoes, steamed corn and/or peas, pico de gallo (vinagrete), chopped olives, grated carrots, etc., etc., all according to the preference of the customer. It means that the basic, already superb HOT DOG can be exquisitely customized.
After the first bite, additional accompaniments are usually added on as well-- huh?... by this I mean the words of praise that are generally expressed: "Heavenly," "gimme ALL of them," "wicked," "OMG," and so forth. :):) It's really up to you. My words of choice? Well, all that I can say is that I do prefer to eat my hot dog by myself...
Go get yours, quick!!! 😉
How to make Brazilian Hot Dogs
1. In a bowl , season ground beef with salt, pepper and cumin. Reserve.
2. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the sausage and just enough water to cover. Once the water comes to a boil, remove pan from heat. You will notice that the sausages have nearly doubled in size (plumpness technique). Reserve.
3. In a medium stainless-steel saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Sauté both the onion and bell pepper. When the onion becomes translucent, add the garlic and let it cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
4. Add the ground beef and let brown. Stir in the tomato paste. Then add either water or broth/stock and thyme, and bring to a boil.
5. When it begins to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and let the meat cook, partially covered, for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove from heat, stir in the lime juice, and cover the pan.
7. To assemble the hot dog, put a warm or hot sausage link into each roll/bun, and then on top of it spoon about 2-4 tablespoons of the prepared, hot ground beef. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese (only assemble the hot dogs right before serving, in order to prevent the bread from becoming soggy).
8. Mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise are the preferred choices for condiments in Brazil. The hot dogs can be served with the following accompaniments: steamed corn, steamed peas, pico de gallo, grated Parmesan cheese, shoestring potatoes, shredded lettuce, chopped parsley, chopped olives, grated carrots, mashed potatoes, requeijão cheese, etc.. Typical accompaniments vary from one region of Brazil to the next.
Vintage 1826 South America Map by Anthony Finley
** Canvas print ad was sponsored by W. Freys, who has provided both image and link.
Brazilian Hot Dog (Cachorro Quente)
Ingredients
- 1 pound (about 450 g) ground beef I made mine with lean beef)
- Salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 1 good pinch cumin
- 8 hot dog links on each sausage, make a lengthwise cut that goes from one end to the other. The cut must be superficial, i.e., less than half of the thickness of the sausage **
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 medium yellow or white onion small diced
- 1 green pepper small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups water or beef broth/stock
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Juice of ½ lime
- 8 loaves of French rolls or hot dog buns
- Shredded mozzarella for topping
** The best sausages are those that have a moist (not dry) appearance inside.
Instructions
- In a bowl , season ground beef with salt, pepper and cumin. Reserve.
- In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the sausage and just enough water to cover. Once the water comes to a boil, remove pan from heat. You will notice that the sausages have nearly doubled in size (plumpness technique). Reserve.
- In a medium stainless-steel saucepan over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Sauté both the onion and bell pepper. When the onion becomes translucent, add the garlic and let it cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef and let brown. Stir in the tomato paste. Then add either water or broth/stock and thyme, and bring to a boil.
- When it begins to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and let the meat cook, partially covered, for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat, stir in the lime juice, and cover the pan.
- To assemble the hot dog, put a warm or hot sausage link into each roll/bun, and then on top of it spoon about 2-4 tablespoons of the prepared, hot ground beef. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese (only assemble the hot dogs right before serving, in order to prevent the bread from becoming soggy).
- Mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise are the preferred choices for condiments in Brazil. The hot dogs can be served with the following accompaniments: steamed corn, steamed peas, pico de gallo, grated Parmesan cheese, shoestring potatoes, shredded lettuce, chopped parsley, chopped olives, grated carrots, mashed potatoes, requeijão cheese, etc.. Typical accompaniments vary from one region of Brazil to the next.
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
I want these brazillian hot dogs!!! 😀
Denise Browning says
I wish you were here, Nami! Many would be all yours. Thanks for stopping by and also for pinning it. I do appreciate... Have a great time in Japan!
Liz says
Well, if that's the way I was served a hot dog, it would certainly be my favorite, too! What yummy toppings!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Liz!!! Those dogs disappeared quite fast...
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
A Brazilian chili dog! I have heard about the variety of toppings and must visit just so I can try them! They sound perfectly fabulous!
Denise Browning says
It is the same concept of a chili dog except that is not that spicy.
Deb says
Oh my goodness! My husband would adore the Brazilian Hot Dog! Evocative of summer and robust with flavor, a splendid recipe!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Deb! My husband hates hot dogs but he ate this one and liked it.
Daniela says
OMG Denise, I love the Brazilian cousin of the American Hot Dog!
Delicious spices and thyme, it just looks mouth watering.
Thank you for sharing!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Daniela!My pleasure.
Coffee and Crumpets says
I see why you love this! Looks amazing! I am not a hot dog fan but when I do have one, I like mine spicy. I think I could like this one quite well!
Nazneen
PS: this post made it to my inbox thankfully. Don't know what's going on!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Nazneen! I am glad that this post made your inbox. Miss you! I have just asked my husband what day we will be in Denver. I intend to reply your email soon.
Sugar et al says
Never imagined hot dogs could be so glamourous. Wow! I know I would have said 'heavenly' too after a mouthful of that delicious brazilian hot dog.
Denise Browning says
I think you'd like these hot dogs, Sonali!
The Café Sucre Farine says
I have never been a huge hot dog fan but I am about to change my mind! These are the most wonderful sounding (and looking) hot dogs I have EVER seen!!! Brazil makes hot dogs fabulous and fun. What a cool technique for plumping also, that's amazing Denise!
Denise Browning says
Chris: My husband hates hot dogs but he ate one of them and loved it.
Kate@Diethood says
Oh my lawwwwwwwwwd! I need to move to Brazil...your food is amazing!!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Perfect finger licking and comforting food!!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Perfect finger licking and comforting food!!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Kiran! It is for me.
Raymund says
I would easily have those for a snack on a daily basis, looks like a very nice comfort dish
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Shoestring AND mash? I know it's overload but I love it! Snazzy hot dogs!
Lail | With A Spin says
Would you believe if I tell you that I have never eaten a hot dog? I know odd, but on the other hand, my husband is hooked on them 🙂
Denise Browning says
Unbelievable, Lail! I gotta give this one a try. 🙂
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Denise...these hot dogs look pretty amazing! I've never been a fan of the usual mustard and relish kind of topping. I like things that are flavorful and outrageous and all of your dogs really fit that bill! Adding the ground beef and mozarella are almost good enough.....but those shoestring potatoes really take it over the edge. They all looks awesome! : )
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I haven't heard of a Brazilian hotdog before even though I lived in Miami where there were many Brazilian restaurants. They sound terrific!
Denise Browning says
Thanks, Karen! Yes, our hot dog is just like this one that you see in my blog. The accompaniments vary from one region to the other though. I hope you have the chance to try it. It is unfortunate that it is not available in many restaurants in Miami -- maybe because it is a street food. Thanks for stopping by!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
What an ultimate comfort food! You won't usually see me eating a hot dog but I will eat a Brazilian one! By the way, did you redesign your site somewhat? It looks a little different, at least the header image is.
Denise Browning says
Julia: Not yet. I hired someone to redesign both my blog and logo but he will start next month. For while, my blog is exactly the same. Thanks for stopping by!
SallyBR says
Hello there, finally! This is one post that I struggle with and could not leave a comment no matter how hard I tried.
If you have a friend with an iPad available, ask him or her to try to leave a comment on your site using it and maybe you can see what I mean. I wonder if it is a general problem or if something is wrong with my tablet?
anyway, this post of course brought me many memories of home... as your posts always do!
Happy 4th, and good to be back commenting! 😉
Denise Browning says
So sorry, Sally! I had no idea how hard it'd be commenting here using an iPad. I'll check this out and try to fix any existing problem. Thanks for stopping by and have a happy 4th of July!
Wizzy says
Love these dogs and the patriotic colours of your pictures
Tara says
I will always choose a hot dog over a hamburger too. These were perfect! I just kept them with the basic toppings this time, but absolutely loved them. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Denise Browning says
My pleasure, Tara!!! It is a very simple, homey recipe but that I've always loved. I am glad to know that you enjoyed it! Wishing you a great day!