Creamed Wieners (Sliced Hot Dogs)

Creamed Wieners (or Creamed Weenies as I like to call them) is an unexpectedly tasty dish; when heated and combined, sliced hot dogs and heavy whipping cream create an inexpensive comfort food dish that's perfectly at home served alongside toast.

How do I describe creamed weenies? I like to think of it as a riff on sausage gravy, kinda. Sliced hot dogs get heated on the stovetop and simmer with heavy whipping cream, which creates this rich, clingy "sauce". It's sort of like a super-thick gravy that clings to the resulting hot dog slices. 

My Dad passed away recently. Today I'm thinking about Creamed Weenies in his memory, one of the only dishes my Dad was passionate about cooking (in that he didn't really like to cook, but this recipe was easy). He and his siblings grew up eating this dish, a cheap meal to feed a crew of kids, and so it was passed down.

This is a nostalgic dish that's inexpensive, yet creative, a way to transform the humble hot dog into something you can enjoy for breakfast on a budget. So now, I pass it on to you. 

We usually had the creamed weenie dish on weekends for breakfast every once in a while (read: whenever hot dogs were on sale). We often served creamed weenies with toast and maybe some scrambled eggs, like another family favorite, these Tex-Mex Salsa Scrambled Eggs.

I think when people pass, it's natural to want to remember the good times, the good laughs, and especially the good meals. I'll always think of Creamed Wieners as my Dad's signature dish; it's one I will never forget because of how easy and inexpensive it is. Plus, it's tasty, one of those dishes that falls solidly into "guilty pleasure comfort food".

And yes, it's as salty as you're thinking it is. But it's fantastic with toast for balance (maybe butter optional is best here, but you do you). Preferably, toast made of whatever loaf of bread was on sale. 

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy AF. It's super easy, requiring you to purchase an 8-pack of hot dogs and some heavy whipping cream. Reach for some toast for a simple side that also provides textural contrast.
• Great any old time. I'll always associate this dish with breakfast, but I don't see why you couldn't enjoy it for lunch or dinner.
• Cheap eats. Since the ingredients are very minimal, this is a dish that's easy on the wallet. But the bonus is that it's also delicious. I'd recommend enjoying this dish in moderation (not a nutritionist, just thinking the sodium levels may not be kosher for enjoying creamed wieners daily). A pint of heavy whipping cream costs around $2.99, and Ball Bark Beef Franks (8-pack) cost $3.99 as of this writing.

If you're looking for more cheap eats, check out this tuna salad with crunchy shoestring potato sticks or this black bean soup made with canned beans.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs - Growing up, we bought whatever weenie was on sale for this recipe; the heavy whipping cream hot dog gravy makes up for a lot of sins. I like Ball Park Beef Franks for this, but use whatever hot dog you prefer. Then simply slice the hot dogs into ¼-inch rounds. 
• Heavy whipping cream - I use a cup, but use more if you'd like more gravy. A good idea if you want extra for dipping toast in. Use the leftover heavy whipping cream to make Rotel Pasta or this cozy bean-forward venison soup.
• Black pepper - This is optional, to taste. But I like to think it provides a little reprieve from the sodium. Salt is not necessary, trust me.

Fun Fact: Hot dogs used to be sold in 1-pound (16-ounce) packages. It appears that Ball Park jumped on the shrinkflation bandwagon, and their hot dogs are now sold in 15-ounce packages. Take a look at other hot dog brands before purchasing, though using a 15 vs. a 16-ounce package of hot dogs won't change the amount of heavy whipping cream used.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below - keep scrolling!

How to Make Creamed Sliced Hot Dogs - Directions

1. Step 1: Slice weenies into ¼ inch rounds. Pro tip, leave them all horizontal in a group as packaged and cut them all at once. 

2. Step 2: Bring pan to medium heat. Add weenies and cook for a few minutes, to encourage some searing, say 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

3. Step 3: Add heavy whipping cream. Adjust the heat as necessary to keep things at a gentle simmer (you may need to turn the heat down slightly). Stir occasionally, for around 4-5 minutes. 

4. Step 4: This is a sort of you know it's done when it looks like this dish. You don't want it to be loose; you want the heavy whipping cream to reduce and cling to the hot dog slices. 

5. Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with toast. That you were totally preparing at the same time as the Creamed Weenies for a perfectly timed steamy execution.  

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