Just because you have to minimize your carbs doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favorite summer foods altogether. You just have to eat smart. Although it may seem those red, plump links are too good to be true when abiding by the rules of keto, they are not. The important thing is finding a brand that offers good, wholesome ingredients. Most brands of hotdogs are technically fine to eat while on ketogenic. But in this article, we will give you a great list of companies that go above and beyond. These weenies are some of the most flavorful, plump, and healthy options out there.
So, let’s take a look.
Can You Have Hotdogs on Keto?
Most keto’ers will be happy to know that they can eat hotdogs on keto. Most brands are perfectly fine for this diet, but moderation is key. (Isn’t it always?)
Hotdogs are made of meat and are low in carbs and high in fat. On ketogenic, low carbs and high fat are the key guidelines for success. Because most people who follow keto are allowed about 30 grams of carbs daily, the 1-3 grams per hotdog fits in well.
Learn more: Is Jimmy Dean Sausage Keto Friendly? (Let’s Find Out!)
What are they made out of?
The ingredients in hotdogs differ depending on each brand. Some come from cow, pork, and beef, while others come from turkey or tofu. There are also a variety of hotdogs that are made from a combination of the various options.
Aside from meat, you can also find,
- Spices (cinnamon, garlic, allspice, pepper, paprika, nutmeg, cumin.)
- Water
- Beef stock
- Corn syrup
- Yeast
- Sugar
- Citric acid
- Casings
- Etc.
All of these ingredients can fit into a keto diet without any cause for concern.
The fine print
Yes, hotdogs are keto friendly, but you definitely need to check the label before ever indulging. Just because these products are low on carbs doesn’t always mean they are a good food choice.
Some hotdog brands will add preservatives, fillers, sugars, and hidden carbs. Make sure you steer clear of MSGs, nitrates, and extra gluten.
Another thing to keep in mind is the high salt content and saturated fats included in every dog. These are ingredients you don’t want to go overboard with and can be bad for your health.
Types of Hotdogs You Can Have on Keto
You can easily find a massive selection of hotdogs when browsing grocery store shelves. Although just about any should keep you on track with carbs, there are a few options better for your overall health.
Look for the words natural and organic on the label. This information will let you know the products are made with clean and safe ingredients.
Hotdogs Close Cousins
If you are looking for a variety of links to cook up. A few great options aside from hotdogs can include,
- Sausage- (Keilbasa, Italian sausage, Cajun, etc.)
- Brats
- Seafood rolls
- Carrot dogs
These products can also be enjoyed while following the ketogenic diet. Just be sure to watch the list of ingredients to avoid hidden additives.
The 5 Best Low Carb Hotdogs Brands For Keto Diet
So, now that you are a total expert on hotdogs let’s discuss the best brands to try. We only listed options that are natural, reputable, and delicious. No matter which option you choose we are confident it will be a hit.
So, without further ado, here is a list of our top five favorite keto brand hot dogs you and the fam will be sure to love.
1. Simply Nature Organic – Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
Nutritional facts: 130 calories| 1 g Carbs|14 g Fat | 6 g Protein
Simply Nature Organic hotdogs are one of the best options on the market today. These hotdogs only contain 1 gram of carbs and 130 calories per serving.
This product is ethically sourced and made with all organic, wholesome ingredients. These dogs are plump and cook well on the grill or in the oven. You will get that satisfying snap that everyone looks forward to when biting into a hotdog.
What you will find in Simply Nature Organic hotdogs:
- Beef
- Water
- Sea salt
- Coriander
- Ground mustard
- Celery juice powder
- Paprika,
- Cane sugar
- White pepper
- Mace
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
2. Oscar Mayer Natural – Uncured Angus Beef Franks
Nutritional facts: 130 Calories| 1 g Carbs| 14 g Fat | 6 g Protein
Oscar Mayer is the brand everyone loves. It has a way of taking you back to the ballpark with every bite. While these natural, uncured Angus beef franks provide that delicious flavor, they also offer some healthier ingredients.
If you are following keto to be healthier, these are the hotdogs for you. With only one gram of carbs, it won’t even put a dent in your daily allotted amount.
You can find these hotdogs just about anywhere, and they are affordable.
What you will find in Oscar Mayer Natural hotdogs:
- Angus beef
- Water
- Salt
- Distilled white vinegar
- Sea salt
- Paprika
- Cherry powder
- Black pepper
- Cultured celery juice
- Dried garlic
3. Hebrew National – All Natural Uncured Beef Franks
Nutritional facts: 140 Calories| 2 g Carbs| 12 g Fat | 6 g Protein
ConAgra Foods, Inc. makes Hebrew National hotdogs and has been in the industry since 1905. Their long history proves they know what they are doing.
With only 2 grams of carbs, these Hebrew national beef franks are an excellent fit for the ketogenic diet. Plus, the short list of natural ingredients makes us just as happy as our taste buds.
These dogs are flavorful and offer a nice juicy bite in every inch. This product is kosher, made without added nitrates or preservatives, and contains all natural ingredients.
What you will find in Hebrew National hotdogs:
- Beef
- Water
- Sea Salt
- Garlic powder
- Celery powder
- Cherry powder
- Spice
- Paprika
- Distilled Vinegar powder
4. Applegate Natural – Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
Nutritional facts:110 Calories| 0 g Carbs |9 g Fat| 7 g Protein
Applegate manufactures a massive variety of delicious meat products. They offer customers everything from deli meat to hamburgers to delicious dogs. While these products may be very different from one another, the common denominator is in the way they are made.
Each Applegate hotdog (and all other products) comes from humanely raised, grass fed animals. No item contains GMOs or antibiotics, and their animals are free to roam, with plenty of space to live and graze comfortably. A happy cow produces delicious beef.
When slapped on the grill, these babies plump up and are juicier than ever. The final outcome is crispy skin with a seasoned taste. What’s even better, you ask? Well, these dogs don’t contain a single carb. Yup, a carb-free product perfect for keto.
What you will find inside Applegate Natural Hotdogs:
- Grass fed beef
- Water
- Cultured Celery Powder
- Organic Cherry Powder
- Vinegar
- Organic Paprika
- Organic Spice
- Sea salt
- Baking Soda
- Organic Granulated Garlic
- Organic Dehydrated Onion
5. Sabrett- All Natural Skinless Beef Frankfurters
Nutritional facts: 130 Calories| 1 g Carbs| 11 g Fat| 6 g Protein
Sabrett provides hotdog lovers with ample options when it comes to tasty dogs great for the grill. But for health reasons, we chose the all natural skinless beef frankfurters for our list.
These hotdogs have few ingredients, making them as natural as you can get. They only have one carb per dog, are gluten free, and have a lot less salt than most other brands.
If you are looking for a weenie the whole family will love, these Sabrett’s are delicious, nutritious, and cook perfectly on and off the grill.
What you will find inside Sabrett Natural Hotdogs:
- Beef
- Water
- Salt
- Liquid smoke
- Spices
- Cherry powder
- Sorbitol
- Citrus powder
- Celery juice powder
- Buffered vinegar
When Hotdogs Kick You Out of Ketosis
There are very few, if any, hotdogs that will kick you out of ketosis on their own. These products are meat based, which means they are typically very low in carbs.
Where you have to be careful when cutting back for keto is the condiments and buns. These additional products can be loaded with carbs and can ruin your diet fast.
1. Say No to Ketchup
Ketchup is a popular condiment often used to add a little extra sweet tang to hotdogs. Unfortunately, this tasty topping is loaded with sugar and carbs. Believe it or not, there are almost 5 g of carbs in one single tablespoon of ketchup. Depending on the dog, that is about four times the amount of the main meal.
Is There Keto Ketchup?
Technically, yes, there are a few brands of ketchup out there that boast about being keto approved. These products are made with no sugar, meaning the flavor you get isn’t going to be the one you expect. For many people, the taste of these sugar free, keto friendly ketchup options is a big letdown.
What You Should Do Instead?
Instead of settling for ketchup you won’t enjoy (and all the power to you if you do) you can simply reach for the mustard at the table.
Mustard is perfect for keto since it has little to no carbs at all. Mustard offers a robust flavor that pairs well with the juicy meat and is actually good for you.
Relish is another excellent option. Pickles are perfect for keto, so finding a low carb relish can help you indulge while maintaining your state of ketosis. Even if you can’t find low carb relish, with only around 2 g per tablespoon, it can be a nice treat with little regret.
Who doesn’t love ooey gooey cheddar cheese? We sure do, and thankfully, it is a great keto approved topping to smother your hotdog in.
2. Skip the Bun
It isn’t a surprise that the bun is the main contributor to carb intake when eating hotdogs. Traditional, basic buns typically contain roughly 20 g of carbs each or more. That means just one bun is enough to ruin an entire day.
Are There Keto Buns?
Sure. There are keto friendly hotdog buns. These buns will usually contain around eight grams of carbs each. That is still a lot of carbs, especially when it is only a portion of a single meal. However, you can choose to use these in place of plain buns if you are looking to splurge at a BBQ or while you are out and about.
What You Should Do Instead?
Hotdogs are full of flavor all on their own, and you don’t need a bun to enjoy your meal. There are many other ways to eat hotdogs without overindulging in carbohydrates.
- Hotdog roll ups- wrap your dog in crescent rolls, using a small amount of dough.
- Cheesy dog bowl- Cut up your hotdog and top it with cheddar cheese in a bowl.
- Bacon wrapped- Wrap your hotdog in a strip of bacon.
- Dip it- Eat your dog plain and simply dip it in your favorite keto sauce
- Wrap it in Romane leaves- Use a romaine lettuce leaf as your bun.
There are endless ways to enjoy your favorite hotdogs without sticking them inside a bun. Be creative and have some fun with it.
FAQs
Learn more: Top 23 Keto-friendly Fast Food Options To Try!
