Make perfect, mess-free Chicago dogs with all the classic toppings — mustard, relish, tomatoes, pickles, onions, sport peppers, and celery salt — wrapped in parchment paper for easy prep, serving, and cleanup!
If you’ve ever strolled the streets of Chicago, you know the iconic Chicago dog — a juicy all-beef frank topped “dragged through the garden.” But here’s a modern twist: using parchment paper makes assembly, steaming, and serving easier than ever. Whether you’re grilling at home or prepping for a backyard game day, parchment helps keep your buns soft and your toppings perfectly in place.
Ingredients:
Makes 6 hot dogs
6 all-beef hot dogs (Vienna Beef if you want to go classic)
6 poppy seed hot dog buns
Yellow mustard
Neon green sweet pickle relish
½ small white onion, finely chopped
6 dill pickle spears
12 sport peppers
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced into wedges
Celery salt, to taste
Directions (Parchment Paper Method):
1. Preheat grill or stovetop pan.
Heat to medium-high.
2. Grill the hot dogs.
Cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally until evenly browned.
3. Warm the buns using parchment.
Place the buns in a large sheet of parchment paper.
Lightly spritz with water, wrap, and place in a warm oven (300°F) for 5 minutes.
The parchment traps gentle steam — keeping buns soft, not soggy.
4. Assemble each dog on parchment.
Lay a sheet of parchment on your counter.
Place one bun in the center and add:
Hot dog
Mustard (never ketchup!)
Relish
Onions
Tomato wedges
Pickle spear
Sport peppers
Sprinkle of celery salt
5. Wrap for serving or steaming.
Fold parchment snugly around the dog like a deli wrap.
This holds heat and moisture if you’re prepping ahead — and keeps toppings perfectly in place for grab-and-go.
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Why Use Parchment Paper?
Mess-Free Wrapping: Keeps toppings from spilling during prep or eating.
Perfect Bun Texture: Maintains warmth without sogginess.
Great for Batch Prep: Wrap several dogs at once and keep them warm in a low oven or insulated cooler.
Eco-Friendly Alternative: Ditch the foil and wax paper — parchment is compostable and grease-resistant.