These Are The Ingredients Hiding In Costco's Food Court Hot Dogs - Tasting Table

"Costco's $1.50 food court hot dogs are nothing short of iconic. People love them so much that Costco actually sells more hot dogs than rotisserie chickens each year. The wholesaler hasn't raised the price since the '80s, and the deal even includes a 20-ounce soda."

"According to the package, these are the exact same hot dogs as served in the food court. They're made exclusively with beef meat, but the ingredient list also includes water, dextrose, salt, spices, sodium lactate, garlic, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, paprika and extractive, and sodium nitrate. Dextrose is the subtle sweetener that makes Costco hot dogs so delicious."

"Sodium diacetate, erythorbate, lactate, and nitrate are all preservatives that prevent bacteria from spreading inside the hot dogs, extending their shelf life, and keeping them fresh when refrigerated. Some of these additives also contribute to the reddish-pink color of the meat, ensuring it stays consistent over a longer stretch of time."

Costco's $1.50 food court hot dogs are iconic and beloved, with the company selling more hot dogs than rotisserie chickens annually. The price has remained unchanged since the 1980s and includes a 20-ounce soda. Kirkland Signature Beef Dinner Franks are the exact same hot dogs sold in the food court. Made exclusively with beef, they contain dextrose as a subtle sweetener that enhances flavor. Preservatives like sodium diacetate, erythorbate, lactate, and nitrate extend shelf life and maintain the meat's reddish-pink color. These franks can be prepared at home via stovetop in ten minutes, microwave in two minutes, or grilled, broiled, air-fried, or toasted, reaching 160 degrees Fahrenheit when done.

Read at Tasting Table