Copycat J.Dawgs Special Sauce

a photo of a grilled hotdog sitting in a bun inside of aluminum foil being drizzled with a sauce from a plastic bottle.

If you have been to J.Dawgs here in Utah before, you know that their special sauce just can’t beat! I would bathe in it if I could!

It is sweet and tangy and is the perfect compliment to that grilled hot dog! My mouth is starting to water just thinking about it. Good thing there is a J.Dawgs right down the road from us, but if you live far away, you can make the infamous J.Dawgs special sauce at home. And it’s so dang simple!

I am a sauce lover! Like for real…give me all the sauces! Have you tried our killer burger sauce? Have mercy! Imho, just about everything is better if a sauce is involved!

Ok, back to J.Dawgs…the sauce on this hot dog is fantastic. The only way to describe the hot dog is, it’s a saucy dog. I realize that sounds kinda lame, but I don’t know how else to describe it. My girls love hot dogs, and I actually do too. A good hot dog with a perfectly toasted bun. It’s good. I know some of you are cringing, but we really do love them.

J.Dawgs came to Utah years ago and quickly became a huge favorite! This J-Dawgs copycat recipe is kind of totally awesome and if you’ve never had their special sauce it’s time to try it!

What Ingredients Do You Need for J.Dawgs Special Sauce?

Here is the list of ingredients you will need, probably in your pantry already!

Ketchup
BBQ Sauce (You can make our homemade sauce or go with Sweet Baby Rays)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Garlic Salt
Pepper
Honey
Paprika (I use smoked paprika, but use what you have on hand.)

The measurements for each ingredient are listed in the recipe card at the end of the post. The recipe card can be printed or saved to easily use again.

How to Make J.Dawgs Special Sauce

Making the sauce doesn’t get any easier! Just mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl and then keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to sauce up your grilled dogs.

Why Does J.Dawgs Criss Cross Cut Their Hotdogs?

Ok, I don’t know the actual answer to this question, but let me tell you why we have totally converted to the criss cross cut hotdog (see picture above).

First, it allows the grilled or smoky flavor to penetrate deep into the hotdog enhancing the flavor.

Second, the dog cook much faster because the middle of the hotdog is exposed directly to the heat (helps J.Dawgs crank those delicious dogs out quickly).

Last and most important in my opinion, all those criss cross cut create all sorts of nooks and crannies for that special sauce to catch and seep down into. Saucy baby!

Can Hot Dogs Be Eaten Without Cooking?

It’s important to always reheat hot dogs until they’re steaming hot.

Some ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs, can become contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

What is the Difference Between White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar?

White vinegar is made from grains, while cider vinegar is made from apples or other fruit.

White vinegar and cider vinegar are interchangeable, but be aware that there would be a slight change in taste.

Apple cider vinegar is a little more acidic than white vinegar.

Other Hot Dog Toppings

I am perfectly happy with a grilled hot dog, quality bun, and just this special sauce, but you can definitely go wild with the toppings if you want. If you go to J.Dawgs, the other toppings you can choose from are:

Onions
Pickles
Banana Peppers
Sauerkraut
Jalapenos
Ketchup
Mustard
Spicy Brown Mustard
Relish
Celery Salt

We would love to hear how you load your hotdog!

How Long Does the Sauce Last?

If stored properly, this sauce will last for at least a month in the refrigerator. We like to store ours in a squeezy condiment bottle in the refrigerator.

Hotdogs are no longer for the kids table only! A good saucy hotdog is next level! So now you have two choices…either you make this copycat J.Dawgs special sauce and try it at home, or you get your buns out here to Utah and I’ll take you to try the real deal!

More Hot Dog Recipes You’ll Love:

Sonoran Hot Dog
7-Layer Dip Hot Dog
Chili Cheese Dogs
Jalapeno and Cheddar Pretzel Chili Cheese Dogs
Zucchini Hot Dog Relish