Hot dog sandwich, turkey, on white bun
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a classic American hot dog, featuring a seasoned turkey sausage nestled in a soft, white bun. It offers a savory, slightly smoky flavor with a tender, juicy bite from the lean turkey and a pillowy, mild contrast from the refined bun. Nutritionally, it provides a moderate protein boost (11.14g per 100g) with a balanced mix of carbs and fats, making it a more lean alternative to traditional beef or pork franks.
Calorie split: 18% protein · 40% carbs · 42% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its nostalgic, comforting simplicity—the satisfying combination of a savory, juicy sausage with a soft, steamed bun is a quintessential taste of American cookouts and casual dining. Its versatility is key, as it serves as a blank canvas for a wide array of toppings, from classic mustard and relish to more gourmet options.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The white bun is made from refined flour, which can cause a quicker blood-sugar spike compared to whole-grain options, and processed meats like hot dogs are often high in sodium. To counteract this, pair it with a fiber-rich side like a vinegar-based coleslaw or a leafy green salad, and choose lower-sodium turkey varieties when possible.
Key benefits
- Leaner protein source than traditional beef/pork hot dogs
- Provides a quick, convenient source of energy from carbohydrates
- Lower in saturated fat compared to standard hot dogs
- A familiar, comforting food that's easy to prepare and eat
- Can be a part of a balanced meal when paired with vegetables
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'hot dog' is widely believed to have originated from a cartoonist's 1901 sketch at a New York Polo Grounds baseball game, where he couldn't spell 'dachshund' and wrote 'hot dog' instead, linking the sausage to the long, thin dog breed.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 50.4 g |
| Energy | 248 kcal |
| Protein | 11.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 11.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 24.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.80 g |
| Total Sugars | 3.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 146 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 18.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 136 mg |
| Potassium, K | 262 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 702 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.4 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 20.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.60 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.26 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg |
| Niacin | 3.7 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.09 mg |
| Folate, total | 46.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 24.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 21.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 63.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 33.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.48 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.47 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 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 | 2.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.7 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.73 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 3.5 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.19 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 3.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.8 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.19 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) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 43.0 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 turkey hot dog healthier than a beef one?
Generally, yes. Turkey hot dogs are typically lower in total fat and saturated fat than traditional beef or pork hot dogs, making them a leaner protein choice. However, they can still be high in sodium, so checking nutrition labels is advised.
Why is the bun so soft and white?
The bun is made from refined white flour, which has the bran and germ removed. This creates a softer texture and milder flavor but also means it has less fiber and nutrients than whole-grain alternatives.
How can I make this meal more balanced?
Serve the hot dog with a generous side of vegetables, such as a fresh garden salad, roasted broccoli, or baked beans. Choosing a whole-wheat bun and adding toppings like sauerkraut or grilled onions can also boost the fiber and nutrient content.
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 2.48 kcal/g · 18% calories from protein · 0.8 g fiber · 3.9 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: 2.68 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.