Winter Bbq Bacon Dogs With Bourbon-Glazed Onions Recipe

Spicy Winter BBQ Bacon Dogs with Bourbon-Glazed Onions Recipe

Crispy bacon dogs with a smoky winter bbq twist instantly spark conversations at chilly outdoor gatherings.

Neighborhood cookouts take on a delicious new personality when these sizzling treats hit the grill.

Bourbon-glazed onions bring unexpected depth and complexity to this classic street food favorite.

Small gatherings transform into memorable moments with each bite of these decadent dogs.

Tangy caramelized onions complement the rich, salty bacon in a way that surprises and delights.

Robust flavors mingle perfectly, creating a dish that feels both comforting and adventurous.

Let the aroma of grilled goodness tempt you into creating this irresistible winter feast.

Best Storage and Reheating Methods for BBQ Dogs

  • Store leftover bacon dogs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Divide bacon dogs, bourbon-glazed onions, and buns before storing. Keeping ingredients separate helps preserve individual textures and prevents soggy bread.
  • Warm bacon dogs in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. Wrap loosely in aluminum foil to prevent drying out and maintain crispy bacon texture.
  • Skip microwave reheating as it can make bacon soggy and tough. Oven method ensures better taste and maintains the original grilled quality of the sausages.

What Sides Make This Hearty Dish Shine

  • Select a rich, malty bourbon barrel-aged stout that complements the bourbon glaze's deep flavors and matches the smoky bacon's intensity.
  • Create a tangy, creamy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar to balance the rich, sweet bourbon onions and cut through the bacon's fatty profile.
  • Prepare a classic old fashioned or manhattan cocktail featuring bourbon to mirror the recipe's glaze and elevate the entire dining experience with harmonious flavor connections.
  • Add spicy dill pickle spears or quick-pickled jalapeños to provide a sharp, acidic contrast that refreshes the palate between bites of the decadent bacon-wrapped hot dogs.

Flavor Ideas That Add a Twist to This Classic

  • Vegetarian Sausage Version: Replace hot dog sausages with plant-based sausages made from soy, seitan, or jackfruit for a meat-free alternative that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free hot dog buns and ensure all ingredients like bourbon and vinegar are certified gluten-free to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Low-Carb Option: Swap hot dog buns for lettuce wraps and use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon to reduce carbohydrate and fat content while keeping the rich bourbon-glazed onion flavor.
  • Spicy Heat Variation: Add diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the bourbon-glazed onions for those who enjoy an extra kick of heat with their winter BBQ dogs.

Why Winter BBQ Bacon Dogs Are a Bold Cold-Weather Favorite

  • This recipe transforms ordinary hot dogs into a gourmet experience in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings.
  • Bourbon-glazed onions deliver a rich, complex sweetness that elevates the classic hot dog, creating a sophisticated twist on a comfort food favorite that will impress guests and family alike.
  • The combination of crispy bacon, juicy sausages, and caramelized bourbon-infused onions provides a hearty, warming meal that cuts through cold winter evenings with delicious satisfaction.
  • Simple preparation meets impressive presentation, allowing home cooks to create restaurant-quality dishes without complex techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Ingredients for Savory Dogs and Sweet Glazed Onions

Protein Base:
  • Hot Dog Sausages: Classic meat base for the dish, perfect for wrapping and grilling.
  • Bacon: Adds crispy, rich flavor and creates a delicious exterior wrap for sausages.
Seasoning and Glaze Ingredients:
  • Bourbon: Provides deep, complex flavor to caramelized onions.
  • Brown Sugar: Creates sweet undertone in onion glaze.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Balances sweetness with tangy brightness.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for enhancing overall taste.
Cooking and Assembly Components:
  • Butter: Helps caramelize onions and adds richness.
  • Olive Oil: Ensures smooth grilling of bacon-wrapped sausages.
  • Hot Dog Buns: Soft base for serving the finished dish.
  • Toothpicks: Helps secure bacon around sausages during cooking.

How to Prepare These Smoky, Bacon-Wrapped Dogs

Step 1: Create Caramelized Bourbon Onions

Heat skillet over medium warmth. Add:
  • Butter
  • Sliced onions
Cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden and soft. Pour in:
  • Bourbon
  • Brown sugar
  • Apple cider vinegar

Simmer 5-7 minutes until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

Step 2: Wrap Hot Dogs in Bacon

Select hot dog sausages. Carefully wrap each sausage with two bacon slices. Secure bacon with toothpicks.

Step 3: Grill Bacon-Wrapped Sausages

Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill. Lightly coat with olive oil. Place bacon-wrapped sausages on hot surface. Cook 7-8 minutes, rotating periodically. Ensure bacon becomes crispy and sausages heat completely.

Step 4: Assemble Delicious Dogs

Place grilled sausages into soft hot dog buns. Top generously with bourbon-glazed onions. Drizzle extra glaze over entire dog.

Step 5: Serve and Savor

Plate dogs alongside winter companions like crispy fries, tangy coleslaw, or fresh salad. Enjoy these warm, flavor-packed winter comfort dogs at home, during tailgates, or outdoor gatherings.

Tips That Bring Out the Flavor in Every Bite

  • Caramelize Onions Slowly: Take your time cooking onions over medium heat to develop rich, deep flavors without burning them, stirring occasionally for even golden-brown color.
  • Secure Bacon Tightly: Use toothpicks strategically to prevent bacon from unraveling during grilling, ensuring a crispy and perfectly wrapped hot dog every time.
  • Control Grill Temperature: Maintain medium heat to cook bacon evenly and prevent burning, rotating sausages to achieve consistent crispiness on all sides.
  • Balance Bourbon Glaze: Adjust bourbon, brown sugar, and vinegar proportions to create a perfect sweet-tangy balance that complements the salty bacon and savory sausage.
  • Warm Buns Briefly: Lightly toast hot dog buns on the grill for a few seconds to add extra texture and prevent sogginess when adding the glazed onions.
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Winter Bbq Bacon Dogs With Bourbon-Glazed Onions Recipe

Winter Bbq Bacon Dogs With Bourbon-Glazed Onions Recipe


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4.6 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Sizzling winter bbq bacon dogs with bourbon-glazed onions bring rustic comfort to cold nights. Smoky, sweet flavors dance together, promising a hearty meal that takes you straight to backyard grill paradise.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein:

  • 6 hot dogs
  • 6 slices of bacon

Dairy and Cheese:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Seasonings, Sauces, and Other Ingredients:

  • 6 hot dog buns
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) barbecue sauce
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) bourbon
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Crispy fried onions (optional)
  • Pickled jalapenos (optional)

Instructions

  1. Create a luscious bourbon-glazed onion topping by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat. Gently sauté sliced onions until they transform into a golden, soft delicacy, stirring intermittently for 10-12 minutes.
  2. Enhance the onion mixture by pouring bourbon into the pan, scraping up any caramelized bits. Introduce brown sugar and apple cider vinegar, allowing the liquid to reduce and thicken into a rich, glossy coating. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside to maintain warmth.
  3. Meticulously wrap each hot dog sausage with two bacon slices, securing the edges with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during cooking.
  4. Heat a grill pan or outdoor BBQ to medium temperature, lightly brushing with olive oil. Carefully position the bacon-wrapped sausages on the cooking surface.
  5. Rotate the sausages periodically, ensuring even cooking and crisp bacon. Grill for approximately 7-8 minutes until the bacon achieves a perfect golden-brown crispness and sausages are thoroughly heated.
  6. Transfer the sizzling sausages into soft hot dog buns, creating a cozy base for the upcoming flavor explosion.
  7. Lavishly crown each bacon dog with the bourbon-glazed onions, allowing the sweet and tangy sauce to cascade over the crispy bacon and juicy sausage.
  8. Present the Winter BBQ Bacon Dogs immediately, accompanied by complementary winter sides like crispy fries, tangy coleslaw, or a fresh, vibrant salad for a complete meal experience.

Notes

  • Customize bacon thickness to ensure perfect crispiness without burning, selecting medium-cut bacon for ideal texture and coverage.
  • Experiment with different bourbon varieties like smoky Kentucky bourbon or sweeter Tennessee whiskey to create unique flavor profiles for the glaze.
  • Prevent bacon from unraveling by using metal skewers instead of toothpicks, which provide more stability during grilling and easier removal.
  • Convert recipe to gluten-free by using gluten-free hot dog buns and checking bacon and sausage ingredients for potential wheat-based additives.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 16 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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