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Hot Dog, Weiner, and Frankfurter Storage and Cooking Tips

Don't prick your hot dogs!

By Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, About.com

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Hot Dogs, Weiners, and Frankfurters

© 2007 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone

Hot Dog Storage

Hot dogs are readily available in all sizes and types in just about any grocery store. The pre-cooked weiners are vacuum-packed and have a relatively long shelf life for meat.

Store unbroken packages in the refrigerator, and consume by the manufacturer's use-by date. Opened franks may be stored in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator and used within three days of opening.

Hot dogs are a good item to freeze for up to six months at 0 degrees F. With most standard cooking methods, the dogs can go straight from the freezer to the pot or grill.

Hot Dog Cooking Tips

Although hot dogs are fully cooked, it is customary to warm them before eating. The flavor improves greatly by any type of reheating method, although as a child, I remember snacking on cold hot dogs wrapped in a slice of plain white bread with no embellishments.

Favorite cooking methods include boiled, broiled, braised, baked, grilled, fried, and a particular favorite, steamed in beer or other liquid.

Do not puncture hot dogs or sausages when cooking. The juices will run out, resulting in a tough, dry, unappetizing weiner.

The hot dog recipe collection includes not only a recipe for homemade frankfurters, but also recipes using hot dogs and condiments to go with them.

More About Hot Dogs and Hot Dog Recipes:

Hot Dog Storage and Cooking Tips
Hot Dog Ingredients, Laws, Terms, and Styles
Hot Dogs and Health
Hot Dog, Weiner, and Frankfurter History
Hot Dog, Weiner, and Frankfurter Recipes

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