Party Franks
Party Franks are a flavorful and tangy appetizer featuring miniature hot dogs simmered in a zesty homemade sauce with onions, ketchup, vinegar, and spices. Perfect for gatherings and parties, they offer a delicious combination of sweet, sour, and savory flavors that appeal to a wide range of guests.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ⓘ
- 1 cup ketchup ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup cider vinegar ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons honey ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons ground mustard ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons paprika ⓘ
- 3/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce ⓘ
- 1 large lemon, sliced ⓘ
- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds miniature hot dogs or cocktail wieners ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, sauté chopped onion in vegetable oil until tender.
- Stir in ketchup, water, cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, ground mustard, paprika, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.
- Add lemon slices to the mixture.
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Add the miniature hot dogs or cocktail wieners to the sauce and simmer until heated through.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding extra hot pepper sauce or using a spicy mustard. If you don't have cider vinegar, white vinegar can be used as a substitute. You can also replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile. Keep an eye on the sauce while simmering to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Party Franks warm as an appetizer at your next gathering, alongside classic sides like French Fries or Dill Pickles With Garlic. They also pair beautifully with a refreshing salad or can be served in mini buns for a fun twist. For a complete meal, consider serving with Marinated Green Beans.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Party Franks contains roughly 142 calories, with 1g protein, 33g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is a good source of vitamin A (13% of the Daily Value) and iron (10% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1202mg per serving (52% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular hot dogs instead of miniature ones?
Yes, you can substitute regular hot dogs for the miniature ones. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces to ensure they heat through properly in the sauce. Adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the flavors meld well.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
To make this recipe vegan, use plant-based hot dogs and ensure that all sauces and ingredients are free from animal products. You can also consider replacing honey with agave syrup or maple syrup to maintain the sweetness without using animal-derived ingredients.
What can I serve with Party Franks for a party?
For a well-rounded party spread, consider serving Party Franks with a variety of finger foods such as cheese platters, vegetable trays, and chips. Complement the dish with dips like mustard or barbecue sauce and offer a selection of beverages to keep guests refreshed.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).