This Secret Ingredient May Give Coney Island Chili Dogs Boardwalk Flavor - Try It At Home - Tasting Table

"Greek immigrants fell in love with the hot dogs and brought the recipe west. Although the chili sauce is beloved, the recipes are often closely guarded secrets."

"Home cooks have tried to reverse engineer the chili using ingredient labels from the different types of chili they ordered online. They determined that crushed soda crackers go into the mix to help give it that memorable texture."

"After the beef is cooked and set aside, the rendered fat is used to make a roux with the crushed crackers which adds only a subtle flavor."

"If you have ever tried to make chili for a chili dog at home and found it too thin, you understand why cracker-based recipes like these exist."

Coney Island chili dogs have gained fame beyond New York City, particularly in Detroit. Greek immigrants popularized the dish, but recipes remain closely guarded. Some believe crushed crackers enhance the chili's texture, although this has not been confirmed by restaurants. Home cooks have experimented with various ingredients, including a recipe that uses oyster crackers. Traditional methods involve creating a slurry with ground beef and water, while some recipes focus on reducing the chili for thickness. The result is a smooth, rich chili that clings well to hot dogs.

Read at Tasting Table