Brazil's Bold Reinvention Of The Simple Hot Dog

In the United States, the humble hot dog is a beloved staple — simple, straightforward, and served with just a squiggle of mustard or ketchup. But, if you the ditch the grill for a stove, slice that sausage open, cook it in a tomato sauce, layer a baguette in mayo, add on corn, peas, mashed potatoes, ketchup, mustard, and shoestring fries–and you've made a modest version of a Brazilian-style hot dog, or cachorro-quente. Like in the United States, hot dogs in Brazil are equally popular, commonly sold by street vendors, found at kids' birthday parties, or game day gatherings.

Hot dogs originated in Germany, but the food became popular in the United States as a wallet-friendly food commonly sold at ballparks, street food carts, and diners. The hot dog would later be introduced to Brazil, where locals would reinvent this classic. Brazil's innovation on the classic hot dog is believed to have started in São Paulo since the city has a reputation for diverse street food. Nevertheless, vendors added more ingredients, turning cachorro-quent from a simple snack into a full meal. To this day, hot dogs remain a staple in Brazil's food culture. And while there is a guide for the myriad of American hot dog styles, none quite match Brazil's mastery of toppings for this timeless favorite.

Remember, the ingredients we've gone over are for a modest cachorro-quent. But like a grilled cheese stuffed with hot dogs, when it comes to toppings, there really are no rules. Different parts of Brazil favor certain add-ons, but you are only limited by your creativity and taste buds.

Regardless, when making this dish, you'll generally start by sautéing a good amount of onions in a tomato sauce. Once that's bubbling, add the sliced links and let everything simmer between 5 and 10 minutes until the links "bloom." In the meantime, slather some mayo on a crunchy baguette, then add the links and a spoonful of sauce to the bun. Start by layering your cachorro-quente with desired veggies (corn and peas are common), followed by a dollop of mashed potatoes, your preferred sauce (mustard and ketchup), then finish with shoestring fries or crisps.

This is a good starting point for a delicious hot dog. If you'd like, you can slice the hot dogs into bite-sized pieces for a more bread bowl presentation. Other popular choices include Parmesan cheese, potato chips, and bell pepper, among many others. As mentioned, dress up your hot dog however you like. Just be sure to use a plate, as this style is quite messy compared to its U.S. counterpart. Lastly, don't forget to round out your cachorro-quente meal with a creamy, citrusy, Brazilian lemonade.