Today we're going to learn how to make Hot Dog Burnt Ends! This creative take on traditional BBQ burnt ends uses hot dogs, BBQ sauce, and your favorite rub. This recipe is simple to make and is an excellent snack for game days, casual get-togethers.
Hot Dog Burnt Ends
If you love that classic holiday pan of BBQ Little Smokies, this recipe for hot dog burnt ends is going to be right up your alley. It takes that old holiday recipe is gives it the smoker treatment, and really amps up all the flavors big time.
Pair them with coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad, and you have a complete, satisfying meal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple to prepare. Comes together in a couple hours of mostly hands-off work.
- SO MUCH more flavor than regular BBQ Smokies!
- Customizable! Use your favorite BBQ sauce or make your own! Same with the rub!
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Recipe Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here's the list of items you'll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Little Smokies
- Yellow mustard
- Spicy Pork Rub
- BBQ Sauce
- Dark brown sugar
- Salted butter
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How To Make This Recipe
This is just the overview so you can see what you're actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you'll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Preheat – Get the smoker preheated to 200°F.
- Prep – Toss the Little Smokies in mustard and then coat with the BBQ rub.
- Smoke – Place the prepped Smokies on parchment paper on the grill. Smoke them for an hour.
- Sauce – Take the smoked sausages off the grill and place into a grill-safe container. Sprinkle with brown sugar, pour over the BBQ sauce, and top with pats of butter.
- Grill – Put the pan into the grill and turn the grill up to 350°F. Let the hot dogs simmer in the sauce for about 30-45 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced slightly and tightened up. Give the pan a good shake every 10 minutes or so.
- Enjoy – Let cool for 10 minutes and then serve hot! Perfect appetizers for a holiday or party!
Make my Whiskey Coke BBQ Sauce for this!
Recipe FAQ
Yes! This is a great dish to make ahead of time and reheat right before serving. It is perfect to bring to a party or potluck, and a total crowd-pleaser. Just toss in a slow cooker to reheat or you can even toss it in the microwave.
Sure! Want to spice it up? Slice in some jalapenos and put them in with the BBQ sauce during the final cook. Like it less sweet? Use a keto-friendly BBQ sauce and skip the brown sugar coating. Or use a brown sugar substitute like Splenda. You can really make this recipe your own!
These keep really well in the fridge. If you have hungry teenagers around, they can grab some out and pop them in the microwave for a quick protein-heavy bite after school or before sports. They can also be reheated back on the stovetop or in a slow cooker as well.
More great Traeger Appetizer Recipes here!
Serve this with…
- Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
- Smoked Beer Cheese Dip
- Traeger Smoked Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Traeger Smoked Garlic Goat Cheese
- Easy Traeger Pigs in a Blanket
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- Poor Man's Burnt Ends
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Hot Dog Burnt Ends
Forget your typical holiday BBQ Little Smokies, you'll never make them the old way again after you try whipping them into Hot Dog Burnt Ends!
Ingredients
- 28 ounce package Little Smokies
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup Spicy Pork Rub
- 2 cups BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup salted butter
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 200°F.
- Drain the Little Smokies and pat dry.
- Toss with mustard to coat all of the hot dogs and then sprinkle with the BBQ Rub.
- Lay out some parchment paper on the grill grates, and then lay the Smokies in a single layer onto the parchment paper.
- Let smoke for 1 hour.
- After an hour, remove from the smoker carefully and place into a grill-safe dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar, pour the BBQ sauce over the top, and then put pats of butter all over the top of the whole pile.
- Turn the grill up to 350°F. Place the pan inside the grill and let cook for around 30 minutes, or until everything is melty and the sauce has reduced a bit. Every 10 minutes or so, give the pan a shake. Remove from the grill, let cool for 10 minutes or so, and then enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 482Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 1424mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 1gSugar: 30gProtein: 11g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.
Ro
Thursday 6th of February 2025
I would like to make these to take to parties, etc… wondering how they would hold up in a crockpot, after I make them, to keep them warm?
Nicole Johnson
Thursday 6th of February 2025
These are perfect to keep warm in a crock pot!
JAMES
Monday 6th of November 2023
Dear lord, stop it with calling everything "burnt ends".
Nicole Johnson
Monday 6th of November 2023
No. ;)
Jess
Monday 6th of November 2023
I don't have a smoker but I do like the ideas you have with flavors. However unless I didn't look in the right place I don't see the oven method? Temp and assuming and hr? Thanks
Nicole Johnson
Monday 6th of November 2023
Hey Jess! Just use the same times and temps as you would in the smoker, but in the oven. It should work just as well. The pellet grill is basically just a big outdoor wood-fired oven. ;)