How to Make Meatless Hot Dog With Plant-Based Coney Chili Sauce

Vegan Coney Chili Sauce in the vegan world is an anomaly. I have seen recipe after recipe, which generally contain beans, which isn't a coney sauce recipe; that's chili. However, before transitioning to a plant-based diet, my family loved a good coney dog, so I made a vegan coney chili sauce recipe that rocks! 

Although I love chili, when we talk about authentic coney chili sauce, it is in a league all its own.

Other vegan versions are made with soy crumbles or chopped-up veggie burgers. It lacks the consistency of an authentic Coney Sauce, the thick kind that has the consistency of a  gratifying sauce to top your veggie dog or your vegan chili fries.

ALTERNATIVE MEAT PROTEIN (AKA FAKE MEAT)

Despite the recent hype and debate over alternative meats available, I don't think eating them from time to time is a problem. There are plenty of soy-based proteins like BOCCA original crumbles, which I like, or you can always use lentils in place of alternative meat. 

Another excellent option for switching out alternative meat is mushrooms or tempeh. Both can be diced or made into a crumbled texture if preferred. 

Beyond Meat, for example, is made with pea protein, is soy-free, NON-GMO, gluten-free, and has 50 percent less fat than real ground beef (which isn't even something I would EVER consider eating).

So, I figured I would try it, and I picked up a bag in the freezer section of my local Whole Foods Market. Beyond Meat products are now sold at most grocery stores; I have even seen them at Target.

I love the pea-covered bull (not cow) on the bag of Beyond Meat Crumbles, which is clever for us plant-eaters. Anyway, I decided to make my version of Coney Island Chili Sauce, and I must say, this product worked well, as did the lentil version. 

As a result, my family loved this vegan coney sauce! 

WHAT VEGAN HOT DOGS SHOULD I USE?

As vegan hot dogs go, they all taste different due to various ingredients. The healthy version of a vegan dog is my Carrot Dogs Recipe. And my kids love carrot dogs. 

If you are in search of store-bought vegan hot dogs, these are some of our favorites:

• Field Roast Frankfurters
• The Good Frank
• LightLife Tofu Pups & Smart Dogs
• Loma Linda Big Franks
• Moving Mountains
• Tofurky Hot Dogs

THE MAGIC INGREDIENTS IN VEGAN CONEY CHILI SAUCE

Although it may seem like there are a lot of ingredients in vegan coney chili sauce, everything is probably in your pantry. However, the magic has nothing to do with choosing alternative meat or lentils but the combination of spices and sauces. 

For that reason, I saute the garlic and onions first. Then, I add the alternative meat or lentils (the choice is yours). 

Next, add the rest of the spices and sauces and simmer them into excellent, tasty vegan coney chili sauce. 

HOW TO COOK ALTERNATIVE MEAT

Like real ground beef, Beyond Meat Crumbles and Bocca Original Crumbles are located in the freezer section of local grocery stores. For example, at my store, alternative meat options are located in the "healthy" or plant-based area of the freezer department.

Nowadays, there are meat alternatives in the refrigerated section, pound packages, or prepared burgers. 

Cooking plant-based meat alternatives are very similar to how you would cook ground beef. However, instead of using oil or any suggested grease, I use vegetable broth in my skillet to prevent sticking as directed.

The rest, for instance, is pretty self-explanatory. You brown the plant-based meat as you would ground beef. 

Again, I am not a big fan of alternative meat products, but I think they are great for people transitioning to a plant-based diet or experimenting with a different way of eating.

Also, I don't think eating alternative meat every once in a while is the worst thing someone can do following a plant-based diet.

With that being said, Beyond Meat is certainly not "healthy," but it provides an avenue for those interested in grilling burgers or finding meat that crumbles for tacos or chilis. Or, it simply works for those who enjoy it and choose to go that route. 

HEALTHIER LENTILS OPTION FOR VEGAN CONEY CHILI SAUCE

But, as with most of my recipes, there is another option to consider. Instead of using alternative meat, how about using lentils? I used Trader Joe's pre-cooked brown lentils for this particular vegan coney chili sauce recipe. Replace the alternative meat with a 17.6-ounce package of pre-cooked brown lentils. 

Of course, you can also prepare your lentils, but make sure they aren't overcooked, as they will cook a second time while making the vegan coney chili sauce. For instance, I recommend cooking the lentils in the pan with the vegan coney chili sauce ingredients. 

I baked my potato wedges or slices without oil for chili fries or used my air fryer. For this vegan coney chili sauce recipe, I recommend my Perfect Crispy Air-Fried Steak Fries, or try my Sweet Potato Fries if you prefer sweet potato fries.

I also have another Loaded Chili Fries recipe that uses regular vegan chili with beans to make vegan coney sauce.

Either way, chili fries are fabulous, especially a healthy, vegan version.

Take a bite, and let me know what you think! Then, print this fantastic Vegetarian Coney Sauce Recipe. 

IF YOU LOVE VEGAN COMFORT FOOD, CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES

• Crunchwrap Supreme 
• Lentil  Meatloaf
• Oil-Free Cornbread
• Lavash Wrap
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Enchilada Casserole
• Pizza Pinwheels
• Sloppy Joes

Vegan Coney Chili Sauce

Kathy Carmichael

Vegan Coney Chili Sauce….The Real Deal! Put it on your favorite vegan dog or a carrot dog. Load it on your french fries, or use it as a dip mixed with your favorite cheese sauce recipe with tortilla chips!

4.45 from 78 votes

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Entrees

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 61 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

VEGAN CONEY SAUCE

• ▢ 1 large onion chopped
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 11 ounces Beyond Beef or 1 11 ounces bag of Bocca Crumbles Bocca is a "no fat" option, but it is a soy product, or 2 ½ cups brown lentils or a 17.6-ounce bag of prepared lentils
• ▢ 16 ounces Muir Glen Tomato Sauce
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons yellow mustard
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons chili powder
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon cumin
• ▢ ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes

Instructions

 

IF USING LENTILS INSTEAD OF ALTERNATIVE MEAT

• If using dry lentils, add 4 cups of vegetable broth to the below recipe.
• If using pre-packaged lentils, use instead of meat alternative.

Making the Coney Sauce

• Place the garlic and onion in a medium-sized skillet, and cook on medium until translucent.
• Add the Beyond Beef Crumbles, Bocca Crumbles, or lentil option, and cook until brown.
• Add the remaining ingredients and cook until combined
• Keep on low until ready to serve, or cook ahead of time and reheat when ready to eat.

Notes

1. We used this one batch of sauce for chili carrot dogs and chili fries on another day. I wished I had doubled the batch! That’s how good it is.
2. For chili fries, bake or air-fry your potatoes without oil. For this particular recipe, I used potato coins, cooked in a 425-degree oven for 45 minutes on a silicone mat. No oil is needed. Top with chili sauce, onions, and YUM!

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 6gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 359mgPotassium: 236mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 821IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg

Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!

Kathy Carmichael

Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/