Frankfurters or hot dogs with tomato-based sauce
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic grilled or steamed sausage, typically a frankfurter or hot dog, smothered in a tangy, sweet tomato-based sauce like ketchup or a spiced tomato relish. The sausage offers a snappy, juicy bite, while the sauce provides a bright, acidic contrast to the rich, savory meat. Nutritionally, it's a high-fat, moderate-protein option with minimal carbs, making it a calorie-dense choice.
Calorie split: 15% protein · 6% carbs · 78% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its simple, satisfying combination of savory, smoky meat and the sweet-tangy punch of the tomato sauce. It's a nostalgic, no-fuss food deeply embedded in casual dining and outdoor cookout 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 or blood pressure. The tomato sauce, especially ketchup, often contains added sugars. To counteract, opt for low-sodium, nitrate-free varieties, use a thin layer of sauce, and pair with a large side of fiber-rich vegetables like a coleslaw or a green salad.
Key benefits
- Quick and convenient protein source
- Provides energy from fats
- Contains some B vitamins from the meat
- The tomato sauce adds a small amount of lycopene
- A familiar, comforting food for many
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'hot dog' is thought to have originated from a cartoonist who, in the early 1900s, couldn't spell 'dachshund' (the dog breed the sausage resembled) and simply wrote 'hot dog' instead.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 65.3 g |
| Energy | 223 kcal |
| Protein | 8.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 3.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.40 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 15.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.1 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 93.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 316 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 873 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.5 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 2.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.03 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.12 mg |
| Niacin | 1.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.10 mg |
| Folate, total | 3.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 3.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 3.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 25.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.57 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 8.0 ug |
| Retinol | 2.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 77.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 4152 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 7.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.79 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.1 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 8.0 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 | 0.59 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.6 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 8.4 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.75 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.70 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.68 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.06 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 | 40.0 mg |
FAQ
Is the tomato sauce just ketchup?
Not always. While ketchup is common, the sauce can also be a spiced tomato relish, a meat-based chili, or a simple seasoned tomato paste, each offering a different flavor profile.
How does the fat content compare to other sausages?
Frankfurters are typically higher in fat than leaner sausages like chicken or turkey dogs, but similar to other traditional pork or beef sausages.
Can I make a healthier version at home?
Yes. Choose a high-quality, low-sodium, uncured sausage, grill or bake it instead of frying, and use a homemade tomato sauce with less sugar and salt.
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 2.23 kcal/g · 15% calories from protein · 0.4 g fiber · 1.9 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: 2.76 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.