How Much Do Hot Dogs Cost?
Hot dogs, also known as frankfurters, are sausages commonly served in buns that are a common food item found at local sports stadiums or at a neighborhood barbecue. Hot dogs can be cooked in many ways, including over a fire, on the grill, boiling it in a pan of water, heating it in a microwave or slow roasted.
How much do hot dogs cost?
On average, an eight or 12-pack of hot dogs will cost anywhere from $2.50 to as much as $6.
Premium butchers or smokehouses that sell hot dogs may charge by the pound. If this is the case, plan on budgeting around $3 to $10 per pound. By going this route, it will really come down to the type of meat used to create the hot dog.
In bulk, the costs can be as little as $5 per 24-pack. The costs will really come down to the brand. For example, at Sam’s Club, a pack of 24 Ball Park franks retail for $6, whereas a five-pound package of Bar-S franks retail for a pinch more than $5. At Costco, a three-count pack of 1.5-pound hot dogs retails for close to $15.
A gourmet dog, depending on the exact ingredients, can be your priciest option, often retailing for as much as $15 to $25 per pound. At the Snake River Farms, for instance, a one-pound package of its American wagyu gourmet hot dogs, which contains five hot dogs, retails for close to $16.
At a hot dog stand or restaurant, the costs of one can range anywhere from $3 to $6, depending on where you’re getting the hot dog, the toppings you choose and where you live. Hot dog heroes, a hot dog cart vendor, posted at HotdogProfits.com that they sell hot dogs for $3.50 at $5, for example.
Refer to our table below to see what the most popular brands cost at your local grocery store:
| Type/Brand of Hot Dog | Average Price |
|---|---|
| Applegate | $5 |
| Ballpark | $3.50 |
| Bar S | $1.50 |
| Boar's Head | $5.50 |
| Foster Farms | $5 |
| Hebrew National | $5.50 |
| Jennie-O | $1.50 |
| Johnsonville | $3.50 |
| Lightlift | $4 |
| Nathan's | $4 |
| Oscar Mayer | $2.50 |
| Sahlen | $5 |
| Store Branded | $3 |
| Sugardale | $2,50 |
| Vienna Beef | $6.50 |
Hot dog overview
“Franks” tend to be all beef, while others may have filler. It’s best to check the ingredient list on the packaging to know what’s inside your hot dog, but in general, common fillers will include fat, meat trimmings, flavorings, such as salt and garlic, and/or preservatives. Pork or beef tends to be the most traditional meats used; however, it can be made from turkey to make it a little healthier. As Hot-Dog.org says, most hot dogs are made from meat trimming, just like you would buy at a local grocery store.
While most hot dogs will have a natural casing, some sausages can be skinless, which means the casing, which is used to hold the filler, is removed between the cooking and packaging process.
Name brands, commonly found at a local grocery store, can include Ball Park, Oscar Mayer, Johnsonville, Hillshire Farm, Nathan’s, Hebrew National, Bar-S and Jennie-O.
Standard national brands will pack eight hot dogs in a package; however, you can find bigger packs with as many as 12 hot dogs and smaller packs of premium dogs with as little as four.
What are the extra costs?
Of course, you will also need hot dog buns as well as condiments of your choice such as ketchup, mustard, and relish. Premium condiments, such as sauerkraut, peppers, onions, chili and cheese, will be considered an additional expense.
Tips to know:
Hot dogs will have an expiration date. If you purchase hot dogs and are unable to use them before they expire, you can freeze them for use at a later time. Just pull them out a few hours before you want to cook them. Most hot dogs will last up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
According to Wikipedia, hot dogs are said to be high in fat, salt, and some brands may have preservatives such as sodium nitrate, which is believed to be linked to cancer; however, this has been disputed.
How can I save money?
Buying more in a pack can help you save money. If you are having a party or a large gathering, purchase the hot dogs in bulk to save money. Check warehouse stores such as Costco.
Many name brand hot dog companies, such as Ball Park, often have coupons available online. Look for coupons online or in the local newspaper before heading to the store to save a few dollars off your next purchase. These coupons are commonly found during the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Memorial Day.
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