The Sardine Hot Dog: Briny, Zesty Hot Dogs with La Rose Sardines
Do Sardines Go On Hot Dogs? You bet!
Sardine-topped hot dogs are trending, and this Sardine hot dog recipe is a fresh, briny twist perfect for summer gatherings and backyard picnics. We used La Rose sardines, which we shipped to members in our August 2025 Tinned Fish Club Box, because their pickled vegetables and rich olive oil go great on a bun.
This dish combines smoky, tangy, and savory flavors in a quick, playful meal. You can go all-in with a grilled hot dog or sausage, or keep it light and highlight the sardines. Either way, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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Ingredients for Sardine Dogs
- 4 hot dog buns
- 2 sausages or bratwurst (optional)
- 1 can La Rose sardines (with pickled vegetables and olive oil)
- 2 tbsp red onions
- Quarter cup chopped cabbage
- Optional: extra pickles or fresh herbs for garnish
How to Make Sardine Hot Dogs
- Chop the cabbage and onion and place in a small bowl.
- Open the sardines. Pour in the oil and any of the vegetables that sit on the top. Stir together and let soak.
- Warm the hot dog buns in an oven or on the grill until soft and slightly toasted.
- Grill the hot dogs sausages until cooked through. We recommend halving large bratwursts down the middle to leave a little more room for the sardines and to let their flavor shine through.
- Place the grilled sausage in the bun (or skip for a sardine-only version).
- Top each sausage with La Rose sardines.
- Use a fork to add the garnish. At this point, the oil and spice will have soak into the cabbage and onion, creating the illusion of pickling without losing the refreshing crunch.
- Serve immediately for a trendy, picnic-ready snack.
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Sardine Dog Serving Suggestions
This dish is great for the last days of summer! If you want to hang on to the heat, we found that sardines in spicy tomato sauce, like the Pinhais sardines we shipped in our July Tinned Fish Club Box, provide some of the same flavors as a chili dog. Either way, they go great with other summer picnic favorites.
If you want to embrace the coming fall, consider substituting the hot dogs for bratwurst to create a bit of biergarten feel. You can also substitute the fresh relish for sauerkraut.
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