Americans love hot dogs — whether at ball games, BBQs, or street carts, they’re one of the most eaten foods in the country. And it’s one of those foods you love, but you'd rather not think too hard about what’s inside.
While oftentimes you’re right to be wary of the ingredients in hot dogs, there are brands dedicated to using only real meat — no nitrates, no fillers, no artificial extras.
Here are six brands that stick to 100% meat and the simplest ingredients.
Applegate Farms' Naturals hot dogs are about as clean as hot dogs get. At around $8, they’re probably the priciest franks on the shelf, but you’re paying for 100% grass-fed beef from Australian and Californian farms, natural casing, and a short, no-nonsense ingredient list: water, vinegar, dried vegetables, and spices.
Niman Ranch was founded by Bill Niman, a farmer known for prioritizing humane animal treatment and high-quality meat. While he’s no longer with the company — and there’s even a claim he refuses to eat the products that still bear his name — Niman Ranch hot dogs continue to use 100% real meat with no antibiotics, fillers, or by-products. They’re also nitrate-free and smoked for flavor, not preserved with chemicals.
That said, their ingredient list isn’t as additive-free as some other contenders on this list. All three versions — Uncured Pork & Beef Franks, Grass-Fed Angus Beef Franks, and Uncured Beef Franks — contain dextrose and sodium phosphate. They’re not the worst additives out there, but food purists might care.
Hebrew National holds a special place in the heart of every hot dog aficionado and is often praised as one of the best franks in the country — both for flavor and ingredient quality. They come with a steep price tag, but for good reason: 100% kosher beef, a special blend of spices, and no fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or by-products.
That said, their standard line does contain added nitrates and preservatives, which some may want to avoid. But the All-Natural version skips synthetic preservatives and is one of the cleaner options out there.
Being a real celebrity among the franks, you wouldn’t expect a brand as big as Nathan’s Famous to do things right. And you’re probably right. But Nathan’s Famous introduced its All Natural Uncured Beef Franks line, which, it’s pretty clean. The hot dogs are made of 100% beef, no fillers, by-products, or artificial ingredients. They’re minimally processed, free from added nitrates or nitrites, and skip the corn syrup.
A solid choice for those who want organic and humanely raised meat, Organic Prairie hot dogs are made with 100% grass-fed, pasture-raised organic beef and organic turkey — both antibiotic- and hormone-free. These franks are uncured, nitrate-free, and free of fillers, by-products, or artificial preservatives. They’re skinless but still pack a clean, meaty bite without the extra junk.
At $12 a pack, Snake River Farms hot dogs might seem like a luxury item, but these aren’t your average franks. Each pack comes with five massive hot dogs, made with American Wagyu beef — no fillers, by-products, or artificial preservatives, and they’re nitrate- and nitrite-free. They come skinless, so the bite is softer than a classic snap-casing dog, but ifyou want a meaty, oversized hot dog, these deliver.
