You Can Hack Your Costco Hot Dog With Just Two Ingredients

Among all of the delicious food court staples of Costco is the golden child of it all: The Costco Hot Dog. The legendary dog-and-beverage combo has cost the same $1.50 since 1985. Yes, $1.50! Yes, in this economy! In a world of inflation and general uncertainty, the Costco dog is a beacon of hope.

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The Iconic Costco Hot Dog

The hot dog in question is officially advertised as “¼ lbs plus” and is roughly eight inches long, putting it a solid two inches longer than a standard 6” bun. Two inches over overhang unencumbered by bun. For topping enthusiasts, that’s a lot of real estate to work with – canvas for a veritable Pig-asso to create a masterpiece.

So, what’s the proper topping for a Costco dog? Classic ketchup and mustard? Raw onions? Relish? Staring down the barrel of a summer of cookouts and BBQs, will each bite of a Costco hot dog covered in sauerkraut already trigger a flavor fatigue that’ll have you making up a stomach-ache so Uncle Stan doesn’t get offended when you reject his fresh-off-the-grill franks?

The Costco dog flavor hack

We’ve seen a lot of Costco hacks over the years, but this one may be the easiest. The trick to turning your Costco dog from tasty treat to a memorably delightful flavor bomb comes from CostcoDeals: ask the cashier for red chili flakes and Parmesan packets. Technically, these seasoning packets are for the food court pizza. But times are a-changing. We’re not even in the here and now anymore. We’re living in the future.

Sprinkle on the chili and Parm to ensure that your hot dog now involves the extra layers of flavor from the kick of the pepper flakes and umami of the cheese. It’d be a challenge to see what doesn’t benefit from a little pepper and cheese and this is a simple upgrade of a classic. This hack is a no-brainer―it requires very little effort, no extra cost, and you’re genuinely upgrading the hot dog. The red chili and parmesan cheese also don’t overpower any of the more standard toppings you might like, so ketchup and mustard are still on the table. Costco’s hot dog is an icon for a reason, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get even better.

About the Author

Hebba Gouda is a freelance contributor to Sporked who will die on the hill that a hot dog is not a sandwich. She’s proud to spend weekends falling asleep at 9 p.m. listening to podcasts, always uses the Oxford comma, and has been described as “the only person who actually likes New Jersey.” She’d love to know how on earth she somehow always has dirty dishes, if donkeys hear better than horses, and how the heck you’re doing today? Hopefully swell - thanks for reading!