Chili hot dog, no bun
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A chili hot dog without the bun is a savory, protein-rich centerpiece of a classic American comfort meal. It delivers a satisfying combination of a juicy, snappy sausage and a hearty, meaty chili topping. This deconstructed version focuses on the core flavors and textures, offering a substantial protein and fat boost with a moderate calorie count.
Calorie split: 20% protein · 14% carbs · 66% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the intense, savory umami punch of the spiced chili melding with the smoky, salty hot dog. It's a nostalgic, no-fuss food that embodies casual American diner and ballpark culture.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
It can be high in sodium and saturated fat, which may be a concern for heart health. The chili often contains common allergens like wheat (as a thickener) and tomatoes (a nightshade). To counteract, choose a lower-sodium dog, pair it with a fiber-rich side like a green salad or roasted vegetables, and opt for a bean-heavy chili to boost fiber and balance the meal.
Key benefits
- High in satiating protein (10g per 100g)
- Good source of energy-dense fats
- Provides iron and B vitamins from the meat
- Lower in carbohydrates than the full sandwich
- Can be a quick, no-utensil meal option
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The origin of the 'Coney Island' hot dog is a subject of fierce debate between several Michigan cities, including Detroit, Flint, and Jackson, each claiming to have invented it in the early 20th century.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 65.8 g |
| Energy | 202 kcal |
| Protein | 10.0 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 15.0 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 7.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 18.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.5 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 110 mg |
| Potassium, K | 299 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 579 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.8 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.6 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 3.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 1.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.14 mg |
| Folate, total | 28.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 28.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 28.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 30.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.64 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 7.0 ug |
| Retinol | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 58.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 6.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 9.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 1076 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 9.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.47 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 3.3 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.44 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.9 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.56 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.52 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 36.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Peppers, hot chili, red, raw — USDA does not publish this profile for Chili hot dog.
| Tryptophan | 0.03 g |
| Threonine | 0.07 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.07 g |
| Leucine | 0.10 g |
| Lysine | 0.09 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Cystine | 0.04 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.06 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.04 g |
| Valine | 0.08 g |
| Arginine | 0.10 g |
| Histidine | 0.04 g |
| Alanine | 0.08 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.29 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.26 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.09 g |
| Serine | 0.08 g |
FAQ
Is a chili dog without the bun keto-friendly?
It can be, depending on the ingredients. A standard hot dog is low-carb, but many chili recipes contain beans, tomatoes, or sugar. To keep it keto, choose a sugar-free chili without beans and verify the hot dog has no added carbs.
How much sodium is typically in this serving?
Sodium content is highly variable. A single hot dog can have 500-700mg, and a 1/2 cup of canned chili can add another 800-1000mg. A full serving can easily exceed the recommended daily limit of 2300mg.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Absolutely. Use lean turkey or chicken sausages, make a chili with lean ground meat, load it with beans and vegetables, and control the salt by using low-sodium broth and spices like cumin and paprika for flavor.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.02 kcal/g · 20% calories from protein · 1.7 g fiber · 1.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 1.94 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.