Make Hot Dogs Alabama Style For A Burst Of Southern Flavor: Here's What You Need

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When it comes to United States food culture, few things are more iconic than the definitive list of American hot dog styles, with various regions fiercely defending their particular variation against criticism, while simultaneously protecting it from too much variation. After all, if you fiddle too much with the zesty, flavorful toppings that go on a Mexican-style hot dog, eventually it becomes something else. Of course, that by no means indicates that regional variations on this cookout staple are finished developing or set in stone — in fact, it's largely the opposite.

While Alabama-style hot dogs may just be another foodie trend, we wouldn't be shocked if they're here to stay. At their most basic, these doggies are grilled, slipped inside a soft, cloudy brioche bun, then topped with classic Alabama white barbecue sauce with its signature pearly hue. Tangy from the combo of mayo and vinegar, with a burst of spicy deliciousness from ingredients like horseradish, cayenne, and white pepper, some argue that the white sauce is flavorful enough on its own. Though this opinion isn't wrong, the very nature of regional hot dog styles and good Southern cooking almost always requires an extra dose (or two) of deliciousness.

Additional toppings on your Alabama dog may include everything from the expected crumbled bacon to sliced jalapeños, pickle relish, or a true Southern favorite — fried green tomatoes. The crispy exterior adds texture, while the bright acidity of the tomatoes cuts through all of the richness to bring beautifully balanced flavor.

When it comes to an Alabama-style hot dog, the biggest question is whether or not everything should be made from scratch, especially the barbecue sauce. Though there are a handful of undeniably delicious brands you can purchase either from restaurants (if you're local) or online (if you're not), like Duke's Alabama-style white sauce, there are also 1,001 recipes for making it yourself. Since the base is good ol' fashioned mayonnaise, putting together some yourself is as simple as stirring together vinegar, lemon juice, horseradish, seasonings, and a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce, then chilling it to let the flavors marry.

Since both homemade and store-bought options will create a delicious grilled hot dog, which you choose will be based mainly on personal preference. Store-bought sauce is more convenient, while the homemade stuff allows you to customize flavors. However, if you decide to include fried green tomatoes (and we think you should), homemade from scratch is the only way to guarantee they'll be crisp and perfectly cooked. Plus, since bacon grease is the best fat for making fried green tomatoes, you'll automatically have bacon crumbles available to top your dogs, as well.

One last thing to consider is the brioche bun. Most recipes for Alabama-style hot dogs don't focus too closely on bun treatment, although toasted is almost always better. Both hot dog and toppings will benefit from being cradled in a lightly crisp, buttery bun that's sturdy enough to hold everything together, but soft enough to yield the perfect, most flavorful bite.