Vegan Hot Dogs Recipe
Vegan Hot Dogs Recipe
How adorable are these vegan hot dogs!?! If you’re looking for a really tasty, really fun recipe to make for a cookout or BBQ this summer, friends, this is it.
I love these vegan hot dogs because they are true veggie dogs. They’re not made with soy protein, pea protein, or any other ingredients that commonly appear on the labels of store-bought vegan hot dogs. Instead, they’re made with veggies! Carrots, specifically.
I know, it sounds crazy. How can a carrot taste like a hot dog? Well, with the right marinade and a few minutes on the grill, I assure you that this humble root veggie comes surprisingly close to the real thing. These carrot hot dogs are smoky and savory, with a nice juicy bite. Serve them on soft buns with lots of punchy fixings, and they’ll be a hit with vegans and meat eaters alike.
Carrot Hot Dogs Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these carrot hot dogs:
- Carrots, of course! Look for ones that are short and fairly stout, similar in shape to a regular hot dog.
- Apple cider vinegar and tamari – The primary ingredients in the hot dog marinade. The apple cider vinegar makes it tangy and slightly sweet, while the tamari makes it deeply savory. Don’t have tamari? Regular soy sauce will work here too. Just note that you’ll need to use certified gluten-free tamari to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Smoked paprika – It adds smoky hot dog flavor to the marinade.
- And garlic powder – It gives the marinade a kick of umami.
Instructions
- Peel the carrots and trim them to the size of your hot dog buns.
- Place the carrots in a steamer basket and set over a pot filled with 1 inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer, cover, and steam for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the carrots are fork-tender but still a little firm in the middle.
- Meanwhile, make the marinade. In a shallow container or baking dish, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, tamari, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Add the steamed carrots and enough water to fully submerge the carrots in the marinade. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to the fridge to marinate overnight.
- Grill the carrot hot dogs. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the carrots from the marinade and pat dry. Drizzle with avocado oil and grill for 5 to 7 minutes, or until well-charred, turning as grill marks form on each side.
- Remove from the grill and serve in buns with homemade relish and your desired fixings.
Ingredients
- 8 medium hot dog-sized carrots, 1½ pounds
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup tamari
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Water, as needed
- Avocado oil, for drizzling
- Hot dog buns, for serving
- Homemade relish, for serving
- Desired fixings
