Seattle-Style Hot Dog (The Iconic Cream Cheese Dog)
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If you've ever walked past a street cart after a Seahawks game - especially on a cold evening in Seattle - you already know this hot dog.
The Seattle-style hot dog, often simply called a Seattle Dog, is famous for one unexpected ingredient: cream cheese. Paired with caramelized onions and an all-beef frank tucked into a warm bun, it's rich, savory, comforting, and completely iconic.
As a Seattle native, this is the hot dog I grew up seeing everywhere - outside stadiums, downtown corners, and late-night carts - and once you've had one, it's hard to go back to an ordinary ballpark dog.
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What Makes a Seattle Dog Different
Unlike classic stadium hot dogs, the Seattle version is all about contrast:
- Creamy cream cheese
- Sweet caramelized onions
- Savory beef hot dog
- A little heat from sliced jalapeños
It's simple, indulgent, and unmistakably Seattle.
Ingredients
- All-beef hot dogs
- Hot dog buns
- Butter (for onions)
- Sweet onions (Walla Walla if available)
- Softened cream cheese (tub or whipped works beautifully)
- Jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced
Optional additions: spicy mustard (our favorite), sauerkraut, sriracha, or BBQ sauce - depending on the cart and the cook.
How to Make a Seattle-Style Hot Dog
- Caramelize the onions: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced sweet onions and cook over low heat until soft, golden, and lightly caramelized - about 12-15 minutes.
- Cook the hot dogs: Grill or pan-sear them until heated through and lightly charred. Many vendors split them lengthwise, but this is optional.
- Toast the buns: Warm or lightly toast them until soft and golden.
- Assemble: Spread a generous layer of cream cheese inside the bun. Add the hot dog, top with caramelized onions, and finish with sliced jalapeños.
Serve immediately - preferably while watching the game.
Seattle Dog Tips
- Softened cream cheese matters. Cold cream cheese won't spread properly.
- Don't skimp. The cream cheese isn't a garnish - it's the point.
- Sweet onions are traditional. Walla Walla onions are classic if you can find them.
- This is not a tidy hot dog - and that's part of the charm.
What to Serve With It
Seattle Dogs are perfect alongside:
- Kettle chips or fries like these baked sweet potato fries
- Simple slaw, like coleslaw or hot slaw
- Seafood dips or dips of any kind
Whether you're hosting a Super Bowl party or simply craving a taste of home, this Seattle-style hot dog brings a little Northwest street-cart magic right to your kitchen.
For more Pacific Northwest favorites, try this iconic Seattle-style Cioppino, delicious and fresh with simple flavors!
More Game Day Party Foods
- Seattle Super Bowl Party Food Ideas (12 for the 12s)
- Easy Southwest Turkey Butternut Squash Skillet
- Beef and Butternut Squash Chili with Black Beans
- Crockpot Buffalo Mac and Cheese
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The Seattle Hot Dog
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 beef hot dogs
- 6 hot dog buns toasted
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 sweet onion sliced
Toppings
- 4 jalapeño peppers sliced, with or without seeds
- 8 ounces soft cream cheese or whipped
- Brown mustard
Instructions
Caramelize the onions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the butter. As soon as it melts, toss in the sliced onions and cook until deeply golden and caramelized, about 15 minutes. Set aside.
Grill the Hot Dogs
- Lightly grease and preheat your grill or grill pan to medium heat and cook the hot dogs, turning every few minutes to ensure even grilling and they are cooked through. Then lightly grill the hot dog buns on both sides.
Assembling the Seattle Hot Dogs
- Stir the cream cheese until soft and spread on each toasted bun. Place the hot dog in the bun, top with caramelized onions, mustard, sliced jalapenos, and any other toppings your heart desires. Enjoy!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
When you want a taste of iconic Seattle street food or game food, this Seattle Hot Dog is what you want. It’s easy to make at home, delicious with its own PNW spin on traditional hot dogs, and perfect for game watching and summer BBQs!