Alright, let’s talk about pure winter comfort food! When those cold days hit and you’re craving something seriously satisfying, you absolutely have to try these Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions. Seriously, the combination of smoky, crispy bacon, a juicy hot dog, that sweet and savory kick from the bourbon onions, and a touch of BBQ sauce… it’s just divine. I remember making these for the first time during a snowstorm, and it felt like sunshine in a bun. They’re the ultimate way to warm up and impress anyone you’re sharing the cold weather with!
Why You’ll Love These Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
Seriously, these are a lifesaver on a chilly day! You’ll love them because:
- They come together super fast – perfect for when you need a quick but impressive meal.
- Everyone raves about the flavor! That mix of salty bacon, sweet and boozy onions, and tangy BBQ is just unbeatable.
- They’re fantastic for outdoor winter parties or just a cozy night in.
- Honestly, who can resist bacon-wrapped anything, especially when it’s got that special bourbon onion goodness?
Gathering Your Ingredients for Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
Alright, let’s get everything ready to make these amazing hot dogs! First, you’ll want 8 high-quality hot dogs – I usually go for all-beef ones because they have the best flavor. Then, grab 8 slices of thick-cut bacon. Trust me, thick-cut makes all the difference for that perfect crispy texture! For our star topping, you’ll need 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced. Make sure those slices aren’t too thick, or they won’t caramelize nicely. Of course, we need the good stuff for the onions: 1/4 cup of a decent bourbon – nothing too fancy, but something you wouldn’t mind sipping! And to sweeten things up, grab 2 tablespoons of packed light brown sugar. You’ll also need about 1/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce, whatever your go-to is. For cooking the onions, just a simple 1 tablespoon of olive oil will do the trick. And finally, always have salt and freshly ground black pepper on hand to taste. Choosing good quality ingredients really does make these shine!
Crafting the Perfect Bourbon Onions
Okay, so the secret weapon for these hot dogs is definitely the bourbon onions. It’s super simple! You’ll want to grab a skillet, put in that tablespoon of olive oil, and heat it up over medium heat. Toss in your thinly sliced onions and let them soften up for about 5-7 minutes. They should look a little translucent. Then comes the magic: pour in the bourbon and sprinkle in the brown sugar. Give it a good stir and let it bubble away. You’re looking for the liquid to reduce and the onions to get nice and deeply caramelized, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes. They’ll look glossy and smell amazing! Don’t forget to season them with a pinch of salt and pepper while they’re cooking.
Preparing Your Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
Now, let’s get these hot dogs ready to cook! First things first, you want to wrap each hot dog snugly with a slice of bacon. Make sure it’s wrapped evenly all the way around so it cooks up nice and crispy everywhere. If the bacon is being a little stubborn or trying to unwrap, don’t worry, just use a toothpick to hold it in place. Just remember to take those toothpicks out before serving, okay?
You’ve got two great options for cooking these babies: grilling or the oven. For grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. You want it hot enough to crisp up that bacon quickly. If you’re using the oven, just preheat it to 400°F (200°C) and plan to put the hot dogs on a baking sheet. Lay them out so they aren’t touching – this is super important for getting that bacon nice and crispy all over. Too crowded, and you’ll get soggy spots, which is NOT what we want!
Now, cook them for about 10-15 minutes, turning them occasionally if you’re grilling, or just letting them bake if you’re in the oven. You’re looking for that bacon to be beautifully golden brown and really crispy. In the last few minutes of cooking, grab your BBQ sauce and brush it all over the hot dogs. It’ll get a little sticky and caramelized, adding another layer of deliciousness. Keep an eye on them so the sauce doesn’t burn!
Tips for Success with Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
To make sure these turn out absolutely perfect every time, a few little tricks really help. First, wrap that bacon snugly around the hot dog – it helps it cook evenly and prevents bacon blowouts! You can totally play around with the bourbon and brown sugar for the onions, too; I sometimes add a tiny bit more brown sugar if I want them a little sweeter. Oh, and a quick heads-up about those toothpicks: if you’re grilling, sometimes they can char and burn. I learned the hard way to soak mine in water for a bit first, or just make sure to remove them right before serving!
Serving Your Delicious Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
Alright, the moment of truth! Serve these beauties up in your favorite hot dog buns. Pile on those sweet, sticky bourbon onions – don’t be shy! A little extra drizzle of BBQ sauce on top is always a good idea if you ask me. They’re pretty much a meal on their own, but if you want to round things out, a creamy coleslaw or a hearty potato salad makes for a perfect winter feast. Enjoy!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
If you happen to have any of these amazing hot dogs left over (which is rare in my house!), just pop them into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. To reheat, I like putting them on a baking sheet in a low oven, around 300°F (150°C), for a few minutes until they’re warmed through and the bacon gets a little crisp again. The microwave works too, but you might lose a bit of that crispy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions about Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
Got questions? I’ve got answers! A lot of people ask if you can use turkey bacon. You totally can, but just know it might not get quite as crispy as pork bacon, and the flavor is different, so adjust your expectations! For the bourbon onions, I usually reach for a standard bourbon, nothing too smoky or sweet, just a good middle-of-the-road one. You can definitely store the cooked bourbon onions separately in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, and yes, making them ahead of time is a total lifesaver! Just gently reheat them on the stove or in the microwave before topping your hot dogs.
Understanding the Nutrition of Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
Just a heads-up, these yummy hot dogs are a bit of a treat! On average, one serving (that’s one hot dog with all the fixings) will have around 450 calories, about 35g of fat, 15g of protein, and 18g of carbs, with roughly 15g of sugar. These are estimates, of course, and can change depending on the brands of hot dogs, bacon, and BBQ sauce you use, so keep that in mind!
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Amazing Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs with Bourbon Onions
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
Enjoy a smoky, sweet, and savory treat with these Winter BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs. Featuring juicy hot dogs wrapped in crispy bacon, topped with caramelized bourbon onions and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Perfect for a cold-weather gathering.
Ingredients
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your grill or oven to medium-high heat.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add bourbon and brown sugar to the skillet with the onions. Stir and cook until the liquid has reduced and the onions are caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Wrap each hot dog with a slice of bacon. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
- Grill or bake the bacon-wrapped hot dogs until the bacon is crispy and the hot dogs are cooked through, turning occasionally, about 10-15 minutes.
- Brush the hot dogs with BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Serve the hot dogs in buns topped with the bourbon onions.
Notes
- Ensure bacon is evenly wrapped around the hot dog for consistent cooking.
- Adjust bourbon and brown sugar for desired sweetness and flavor.
- For oven cooking, place hot dogs on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling or Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hot dog with toppings
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: hot dogs, bacon, bourbon, onions, BBQ, winter, grilling, comfort food