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Here in Utah, J. Dawgs is basically a religion! Their hot dogs are THAT good. The sweet, tangy, smoky sauce? Life-changing! Make this copycat J Dawgs sauce at home and you’ll never look at ketchup the same way again.
Reasons You’ll Lick the Spoon
- Sweet & Smoky Magic: The perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavor goes so well with salty, savory hot dogs!
- Versatile Drizzle: This sauce is not just for hot dogs. You can slather it on burgers, sandwiches, or even grilled veggies.
- Game Day Glory: Be the master tailgater or game day party host with the BEST hot dogs (jdawgs) on the block.
J Dawgs Special Sauce Ingredients
- Switch Up the BBQ Sauce: We used Sweet Baby Ray’s, but feel free to use your favorite (just steer clear of mustard-based sauces).
- Paprika Pick: Smoked paprika will give a deeper, smoky flavor, while regular paprika keeps it mild and sweet.
- Turn Up the Heat: Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper if you like a little kick!
How to Make Copycat J Dawgs Sauce
J Dawgs started out as a tiny little shaw right outside BYU’s campus. The lines got longer and longer, and now the obsession has blown up across Utah. With just a few pantry staples, you can make their famous jdawg sauce at home!
- Combine Ingredients and Heat: Combine ketchup, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until boiling.
- Simmer, Cool, and Enjoy: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
The Complete J Dawgs Experience
Making J Dawgs hot dogs at home comes down to the little extras, like perfectly toasted buns, signature grill marks, and must-have toppings. Here’s how to nail it:
- Type of Dog: For the full J. Dawgs experience, use all-beef hot dogs (I love the jumbo Costco ones). Or try a Polish dog for a spicier kick!
- Toast the Hot Dog Buns: Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat, place your buns facedown, and cook until golden and crisp to your liking.
- Score for Style: Add criss-cross cuts to your hot dogs before grilling for that classic J. Dawgs signature look (a hot dog hack I swear by!). I love using this handy tool.
- Topping Ideas: The traditional lineup is chopped onions, sauerkraut, banana peppers, jalapeños, and pickles, but honestly, anything goes. Or keep it simple and let the J Dawgs sauce shine all on its own.
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Combine ½ cup ketchup, ½ cup packed brown sugar, ¼ cup barbecue sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until boiling.
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Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, until all the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and cool completely before storing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Store leftover J.Dawg’s sauce in an airtight container or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Calories: 34kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.03gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.004gSodium: 84mgPotassium: 34mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 43IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 0.1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
