Instant Pot Dirty Water Hot Dogs taste just like they came from the carts of New York hot dog vendors. Low carb and keto too!
Instant Pot Dirty Water Hot Dogs and Baked Beans
Close your eyes and imagine standing on the curb, eating a hot dog from a vendor in Times Square.
Those hot dogs are referred to as “Dirty Water Dogs.” The vendors, with their Sabrett umbrellas continue to add new hot dogs to the water in their carts, without changing the water. Hence the term “Dirty Water Hot Dogs.” I have no idea if the water ever gets changed at all, but for now, I’m not going to think about that. Ha!
Cast of Ingredients for Pressure Cooker Dirty Water Hotdogs
I was inspired by a friend of mine to try dirty water hot dogs in my Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker after he posted about a recipe he saw from a once renowed chef. My hubs, who is from New York says, “you can’t make Dirty Water Hotdogs using fresh water.” Challenge accepted and voilà, here it is!!!
The spices and vinegar replicate the water in the vendors carts after sitting for a while. You are going to LOVE these!
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Ingredients for Instant Pot Dirty Water Hot Dogs
- Hot Dogs in casings (not skinless)
- Cumin
- Nutmeg
- Vinegar – I would also imagine, that the vinegar gives the water some history, longevity if you will….at least that is what I would imagine.
While the street vendors use Sabrett hot dogs, my personal favorite dogs are now the Kayam brand. They have that wonderful snap and burst of juice similar to Sabrett and Hebrew National, but I find them more flavorful and juicy.
Add Cumin to the Water
One of the wonderful things about this Instant Pot Dirty Water Hot Dogs recipe is that it is very hands off and can be made at any time of the day.
How Many Hot Dogs Can I Make at Once?
- Easy, as many as you can safely fit in your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker.
- You will need to add more water and seasonings for larger recipes.
I imagine you could feed a whole stadium using this 14 Quart Pressure Cooker. Oh my, that sure is a big one!
Grate in some Fresh Nutmeg
For grating fresh nutmeg, a microplane works well.
Nutmeg is pretty strong and will penetrate the dogs and add that special vendor cart flavor.
Best of New York, New York
- In keeping with the New York theme, you’ve got to make the BEST Cheesecake ever. Lindy’s in New York makes the best and now you can make it yourself.
- My Instant Pot New York Cheesecake recipe is the Number 1, insanely popular and truly, it is the best cheesecake you will ever taste.
Pro Tip: Make the cheesecake in little the night before as it needs to set up overnight.
Add White Vinegar to the Fresh “Dirty” Water
The vinegar and spices give the impression of a long soak in “dirty” water.
Can Dirty Water Hot Dogs be Made in Advance?
- Yes.
- The longer the hot dogs are soaked, the more flavor they absorb. The flavor is not over powering and is quite subtle, so don’t be afraid to let them soak.
Pro Tip: Freeze the water used to make the hot dogs and use it again the next time!
Drop the Hotdogs into the Dirty Water
There are so many side dishes, which pair well with Instant Pot Dirt Water Hot Dogs.
What to Serve with Instant Pot Dirty Water Hot Dogs
- Pressure Cooker Macaroni and Cheese [Instant Pot] is always yummy with hot dogs!
- Instant Pot Best Macaroni Salad Recipe is an easy recipe and perfect for picnics and feeding a crowd.
- Instant Pot Baked Beans [Pressure Cooker], come on, it goes without saying……
- Easy Coleslaw Recipe (a/k/a Cole Slaw), this! You have to make coleslaw. It is so delicious to pile on the hot dog bun!
Pro Tip: All the above recipes travel really well!
Reheating Pressure Cooker Holiday Baked Beans PIP
If you already have some of my delicious baked beans in your freezer, all you have to do is add them to a pan and let them warm up while cooking the hot dogs.
A wonderful set for cooking PIP (“pot in pot”) is this Ekovana Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker Stackable Pans Set. This is something every pressure cooker owner should have in their arsenal of accessories.
Canned beans will work as well.
Pressure Cooker Dirty Water Hotdogs
If those fluffy hot dog buns look great to you, how about making them yourself using leftover whey (or water if you don’t have whey) from my fabulous Instant Pot Greek Yogurt (Thick and Creamy) recipe and following my Japanese Hokkaido Milk Hotdog Buns recipe!
More Instant Pot New York Recipes to Make:
- Instant Pot Salt Potatoes [Syracuse, New York]
- Pressure Cooker New York Cheesecake [Instant Pot]
- Instant Pot Bagels Lox and Cream Cheese Pasta + Video!
- New York Style Pizza Dough (proof the dough in your Instant Pot!)
How do you like your Dogs? I like a little brown mustard and hot dog relish and/or tomato onion relish (recipes coming soon). The hubs likes them with just brown mustard. Sometimes, I like them totally plain.
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
- Stainless Steel Trivet
- 1.5 Quart Stainless Steel “Pot in Pot” Bowl
- Japanese Hokkaido Milk Hotdog Buns recipe
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If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!
Here is the handy printable recipe:
Ingredients
- 6 Hot Dogs with casings (not skinless)
- 1 quart Fresh Water
- 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar Balsamic or White Vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon Whole Nutmeg freshly grated
- 6 Hot Dog Buns
Recommended Products
Instructions
- Add water Water, Vinegar, Cumin and Nutmeg to your Pressure Cooker cooking pot.
- Toss in the hotdogs.
- Lock on the lid and close Pressure Valve. Cook on Low Pressure for 2 minutes. When beep is heard, wait 10 minutes and then release the rest of the pressure. (The longer the dogs sit in the water, the better.)
- Serve on Hot Dog Buns, allowing some of the water to drain onto the bun.
Notes
How Many Hot Dogs Can I Make?
- As many as you can safely fit in your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker.
- Just add more water and seasonings to cover the hot dogs.
Make in Advance
- Use low pressure and let the hot dogs sit in the pot as long as you like.
- The longer the hot dogs are soaked, the more flavor they absorb. The flavor is not over powering and is quite subtle, so don't be afraid to let them soak.
Nutrition
PIN this Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Dirty Water Hot Dogs (New York Hot Dogs)!
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Dirty Water Hotdogs (New York Hot Dogs)
I saved this link long ago and wanted to try this today. I am just re-reading the recipe and it says only to use hot dogs with casings. I’m in Canada and I haven’t seen those since I was a kid many decades ago. I Google’d for images and don’t see any brands sold here. What would happen if I use a brand that has no casings? I’ve heard many say they do hot dogs in their IP.
The hot dogs may slit open a bit, as well as the juicy bite from seasoned water won’t be present, since there are no casings for the water to store. It should still be tasty though. Jill
Thank you for this, I can not wait for both of your relish recipes. Looks like what I had as a child and have never found.
Thank you, Jennifer. Jill
I like my dawgs with mustard and warm sauerkraut. Some stores carry Nathans hotdogs with skins. The skinless ones are very good.
Try Ball Park deli style great taste
We never, ever, refer to them as “Dirty Water Hotdogs”. Only “Dirty Water Dogs”.
I found Kayems dogs at Walmart. Sabretts have always been my favorite because of their snap. Now im really anxious to try Kayem. Thanks.
This is great news, Terry. I hope they are in my local area too. Jill
How long would you say it takes for a full natural release?
Hi. If I’m making the hotdogs without the dirty water. I assume that I don’t have to submerge them in water at all, right? I mean 1 cup of water, and then all the dogs on a rack should be ok, right? Also, I’m doing this ahead for a baseball tailgate with the intention of cooking ahead in the Instant Pot, then throw on the grill once I get to the tailgate to warm through and to get a char on them. If I keep the lid on after naturally releasing, the hot dogs should stay warm until it’s time to throw on the grill, right?
Hi Que! I was wondering how this worked out for you? I would like to pre pressure cook my dogs and leave them in the pot. How long did they stay warm for you?
Interesting recipe!
I’ve heard you can make Coney Island Hot dogs, by cooking them in ‘ketchup’ water…but neve heard of these previously.
Mavis In Canada
What do you mean “hotdogs with casings”? You don’t mean the plasticy sort of wrapping some wei ers come with on them do you?
Also, how many hotdogs could you cook at once ….. 25 or more?
Thanks!
Ralph’s carries the boarshead hotdogs in the deli section. They are delicious!
We have not been able to find the Boarshead in the Ralphs by me. Jill
You asked for other ideas for good brands of hot dogs. My husband adores hot dogs, and his favorite is Nathan’s all beef hour dogs. Be sure and get the short fat ones not the long skinny ones.
Best hot dogs around are Sabrett’s if you can get em. Can’t wait to try this.
Best hot dogs around are Sabrett’s if you can get em. Can’t wait to try this.
I wonder if we could cook sausages like this.
Sure, why not? 🙂
Casper’s hot dogs are snappy
Hi Marcia. Snappy is good. I’ve not heard of Casper’s. Jill
Casper’s are a Northern California thing- Family business with lots of Drama (Casper’s vs Kaspers). You can find them at Costco up here
Oh, I see. Thanks for letting me know. We still cannot find hot dogs with the skin. Jill
I have a Lux… no low pressure. Should I use the stove or can it be done with high pressure? Steam?
Also… what is a skinless hot dog?
You could always go to Pink’s Hotdogs in Hollywood and wait forever for a hot dog lol.
Hi Jill,
I have lived most of my life in NJ and grew up on dirty water dogs. The real ones, before the mayor made them get hygienic, changing the water and washing their hands… You state in the recipe if you double the dogs, double the spices. Makes sense. However, you also mention freezing the water to use next time. If you make a single batch, freeze the water and use to make a second batch, would you add the spices again? If I make a double batch, if the next batch is a single, will it be too much spices? Am I overthinking this? Love your website and recipes, thank you!
Hi Louis~
You’ve got me over thinking now. All good points. I wouldn’t double spices in that scenario. 🙂
Jill
Never heard of Kayem Hot Dogs. They were sitting on the shelf and were on sale in my local Publix (Florida). I couldn’t upload a picture of them but I can’t wait to try this! My instant Pot is sizzling now!
Okay I need help. We made this last night as a test run for a party Saturday where I plan to make a lot. I did the hot dogs on the bottom in the dirty water and the chili in a bowl on top of the steamer tray with frozen corn on the cob. I opened it up and everything was gorgeous. Corn was perfect and juicy, chili was hot but I removed the tray and oh no my hotdogs had exploded???? I used Ballpark all beef. Does this mean they were skinless? I didn’t think so. The last time we had a party I did them in my slow cooker so I may go that route but was trying something different. Thank goodness this was the trial run.
Hi Angie~
Did you use low pressure?
Jill
Couldn’t help but grin at your comment about not wanting to know if the water had been changed! We used to try not to think about restroom/hand washing at some of the remote corner locations in parts of NJ. LOL Best not to think too much and just enjoy the yumminess!
Hi Donna~
I am crazy with the hand washing thing and unfortunately, do think about it when I am out and about. 🙂 Thanks for your note. 🙂
Jill
The recipe neglected to actually have the hit dogs added to the pot. How many hot dogs can actually be reasonably cooked in a 6 qt pot?
As many as you can fit, with enough water to cover.
Hey Jill. This is good timing for m, to find this recipe that is. Next weekend I am in charge of cooking hot dogs for my church bazaar and we usually cook outside on the grill, but sometimes people don’t like it since there might be a black scorch mark or something. If everyone was as unobservant and evil may care as me there would be no axiom you in this world, but the reality is otherwise. Anyhoo, if I use the IP to cook the dogs that problem would go away. How many do you think I could cook at a time in my 8 quart IP? I’m thinking afterwards I could transfer them into a crock pot to keep the hot until served.
Hi Wayne. Truer words….. 🙂 Gosh, I would think you could probably fit 48 or more hotdogs in an 8 quart. I would just put what you need and cover with water and then adjust the seasonings to the amount of water used. Transferring to keep warm is a great idea, although you could use your pressure cooker’s slow cooker setting too. Jill
Thanks Jill, after re reading my post I see the spell check had its way with me. Oh well. C’est la vie. (Sometimes, spell check is my enema.) whoops! Thanks for the response.
Yes, you need the casings!! Hard to find here in Houston. Boar’s Head does have them.
The West Coast does not have any good hotdogs that I can find.
I think that Trader Joe’s has hotdogs in casings.
Don’t you have Ball Park?
There are many brands here, but I cannot find any with the casings. Jill