Hot dog sandwich, meat and poultry, on white bread
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A classic American hot dog nestled in a soft, pillowy white bun, offering a satisfying snap from the casing and a savory, meaty bite. The simple combination delivers a comforting, salty-savory flavor profile with a tender, slightly chewy texture. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of energy and protein, but also notably high in fat and sodium.
Calorie split: 14% protein · 30% carbs · 56% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its iconic, no-fuss combination of salty, savory meat and soft bread that's both nostalgic and deeply satisfying. Its versatility allows for endless topping variations, from classic mustard and relish to gourmet sauerkraut and chili.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The processed meat and white bread can cause blood-sugar spikes and are high in sodium and saturated fat. To counteract, pair it with a fiber-rich side like a vinegar-based coleslaw or a green salad, and choose a lower-sodium hot dog brand when possible.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick and convenient source of protein (9.62g per 100g).
- Offers a dense calorie source for immediate energy needs.
- The soft white bread is easy to digest for most people.
- A familiar, comforting food with broad cultural appeal.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'hot dog' is believed to have originated from a cartoonist's 1901 sketch at a New York Polo Grounds baseball game, where vendors sold 'dachshund sausages' and he simply labeled them 'hot dogs' for space.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.0 g |
| Energy | 274 kcal |
| Protein | 9.6 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 17.1 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 20.3 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 142 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.8 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 16.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 148 mg |
| Potassium, K | 264 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 698 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.1 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 16.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 11.8 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.20 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.17 mg |
| Niacin | 3.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.07 mg |
| Folate, total | 42.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 30.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 12.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 62.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 37.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.40 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 17.0 ug |
| Retinol | 17.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 15.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.36 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.50 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.10 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 5.3 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 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.18 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.5 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.4 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 6.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.49 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 6.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 4.2 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.7 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.23 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.07 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) | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 51.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Pickle relish, hot dog — USDA does not publish this profile for Hot dog sandwich.
| Tryptophan | 0.02 g |
| Threonine | 0.05 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.05 g |
| Leucine | 0.07 g |
| Lysine | 0.07 g |
| Methionine | 0.02 g |
| Cystine | 0.02 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.05 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.03 g |
| Valine | 0.06 g |
| Arginine | 0.10 g |
| Histidine | 0.03 g |
| Alanine | 0.06 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.09 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.33 g |
| Glycine | 0.06 g |
| Proline | 0.07 g |
| Serine | 0.05 g |
FAQ
Is a hot dog sandwich technically a sandwich?
This is a classic food debate. By the most common definition of a sandwich (meat/filling between two slices of bread or inside a split roll), a hot dog qualifies. However, purists argue the hot dog is its own unique category.
Why is the bun so important?
The soft white bun is engineered for this specific purpose: it's sturdy enough to hold the juicy sausage and toppings, yet soft enough to compress easily for a clean bite that includes both bread and meat in every mouthful.
How does the nutrition compare to a hamburger?
Per 100g, a hot dog on a white bun is generally higher in fat and sodium but lower in protein than a typical hamburger patty on a bun. The hot dog is a processed meat product, while a hamburger is usually ground whole muscle.
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 2.74 kcal/g · 14% calories from protein · 0.8 g fiber · 3.6 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: 2.64 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.