Homemade Hot Dogs, Sourdough Buns & Refined Sugar-Free Ketchup
From-Scratch Summer Cookout or Birthday Dinner Favorite. Make everything yourself: the buns, the hot dogs, and the ketchup, all with clean, simple ingredients.
Recipes Available Below
Watch the video or jump to the recipe cards
🌭 Homemade Hot Dogs, Sourdough Buns & Refined Sugar-Free Ketchup
From-Scratch Summer Cookout or Birthday Dinner Favorite
💛 Real Food, Real Summer
There's nothing quite like making a full meal from scratch — especially when it's for your kid's birthday or a backyard summer cookout. This year, we took Calhen's birthday dinner to the next level by creating everything ourselves: the buns, the hot dogs, and the ketchup.
This 3-part recipe series is easier than you think, and the result? 📣 The best hot dogs you've ever had.
Everything is made with clean, simple ingredients. No preservatives. No refined sugar. Just real food — and a lot of love.
👉 Don't miss our Sourdough Guide on Amazon.
🫙 Optional: Canning Instructions
- Fill sterilized half-pint jars with hot ketchup (leave ½" headspace).
- Wipe rims, apply lids, and process in boiling water for 15 minutes.
- Cool for 12–24 hours, check seals, and store for up to 1 year.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Toast your buns and hot dogs for best texture
- Serve with mustard, kraut, grilled onions, or pickles
- Great with potato wedges, corn on the cob, or a fresh salad
- Perfect for birthdays, cookouts, or a nostalgic dinner at home
🙌 Tips & FAQs
Can I freeze the buns? Yes! Slice and freeze in a zip bag for up to 1 month.
Can I bake the hot dogs? Absolutely. 400°F for 15–20 minutes works well.
Can I use beef instead of pork? Yes, but include some fat (like tallow or brisket trim).
📺 Watch the Full Tutorial
▶️ Watch on YouTube » In under 5 minutes, we show you how to make buns, dogs, and ketchup from scratch.
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Watch the Video
See exactly how I make this step by step!

Homemade Hot Dogs, Sourdough Buns & Refined Sugar-Free Ketchup
Recipe Cards
Print-friendly recipes below
Sourdough Stadium-Style Hot Dog Buns

Ingredients
- 400g bread flour
- 150g active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
- 180g warm whole milk
- 1 large egg (≈50g)
- 40g butter, softened
- 20g honey or maple syrup
- 8g salt
Instructions
- 1Mix the Dough: Combine starter, milk, egg, honey, and butter. Add flour and salt. Knead 8–10 min until smooth and elastic.
- 2Bulk Fermentation: Cover and ferment 4–6 hours (at 75–78°F) or until nearly doubled. Stretch and fold once after 1 hour.
- 3Shape the Buns: Divide into 8 pieces (~100g each). Shape into tight 6–7" logs. Place on parchment-lined tray with 1–2" spacing.
- 4Final Proof: Proof at room temp 2–3 hours, or refrigerate overnight.
- 5Bake: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes. Brush with egg wash if desired.
- 6Cool: Let cool 15–20 minutes before slicing.
Fresh Homemade Hot Dogs (No Casings Needed)

Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs ground pork (20–30% fat)
- ½ Tbsp sea salt
- 1½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- ½ tsp coriander
- ½ tsp white or black pepper
- ¼ tsp allspice (optional)
- ⅛ tsp clove (optional)
- ½ tsp celery seed or celery powder
- 1 Tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional)
- ¼ cup ice water
- 2 Tbsp milk or non-dairy milk (optional)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil or beef tallow
Instructions
- 1Pre-Chill Equipment: Chill bowl, blades, and pork.
- 2Mix Seasoning: Combine spices in a small bowl.
- 3Emulsify: In a stand mixer or food processor, combine pork, spices, sweetener, liquids, and fat. Blend until smooth and sticky.
- 4Shape the Hot Dogs: Shape by hand (5–6" logs), or use a piping bag. Chill 30 min to firm.
- 5Cook: Steam for 10–12 minutes until fully cooked. Poach: Simmer gently at 160–170°F for 15 min. Bake (alternative): Bake at 400°F for 15–20 min, flipping halfway.
- 6Sear (Optional): Grill or pan-sear for a quick finish.
Homemade Ketchup (Refined Sugar Free)

Ingredients
- 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ⅛ tsp cloves
- ⅛ tsp allspice
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp celery seed (optional)
- ¼ tsp mustard powder
- Pinch of white or black pepper
Instructions
- 1Mix: In a saucepan, whisk tomato paste and water. Add vinegar, sweetener, and spices.
- 2Simmer: Simmer over low heat for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 3Adjust Thickness: Add water to thin or simmer longer to thicken.
- 4Store: Refrigerate up to 3 weeks.
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