Flint's Original Coney Island

Dive into the bold flavors of Michigan with Flint's Original Coney Island, an iconic recipe that combines tradition and taste in every bite. This classic dish features a unique, finely-textured meat sauce crafted from ground beef and beef heart, simmered to perfection with aromatic spices like paprika, chili powder, and cumin. Anchored by a rich base of beef broth and tomato paste, the sauce boasts an irresistibly deep, savory profile. Topped over steamed hot dogs nestled in fluffy buns, this Flint-style Coney is best enjoyed with a generous drizzle of yellow mustard and a sprinkle of crisp diced onions for that signature finish. Perfect for a hearty meal or nostalgic get-together, this beloved regional favorite brings authentic Michigan flavor straight to your table.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
• 0.5 pound beef heart (ground or finely chopped)
• 1 medium onion (finely minced)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon ground mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon sugar
• 2 cups water
• 8 hot dogs
• 8 hot dog buns
• 0 optional yellow mustard
• 0 optional diced onion

Directions

Step 1

Place a large, deep skillet or pot over medium heat and add the ground beef and beef heart.

Step 2

As the meat begins to cook, use a wooden spoon or potato masher to break it down into a very fine, crumbled texture. This is key to achieving the proper Flint-style sauce consistency. Do not allow the meat to brown.

Step 3

Add the minced onion and garlic to the skillet. Stir until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Pour in the cup of beef broth and the 2 cups of water. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Add the tomato paste, paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, ground mustard, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir thoroughly to incorporate the spices into the liquid.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as needed (more salt or spices can be added to taste).

Step 8

In the last 10 minutes of cooking, bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Add the hot dogs and cook according to the package instructions (usually 5–7 minutes).

Step 9

Toast or warm the hot dog buns if desired.

Step 10

Assemble each Coney dog by placing a hot dog into a bun and generously spooning the Flint-style meat sauce over the top.

Step 11

Optionally, add yellow mustard and sprinkle with diced onion for a traditional finish.

Step 12

Serve immediately and enjoy this savory Michigan classic!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2462.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3880.2

Total Fat 197.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 72.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 955.4mg	0%
Sodium 8661.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 290.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.4g	0%
Total Sugars 51.0g
Protein 222.6g	0%

Vitamin D 28.1IU	0%
Calcium 1012.9mg	0%
Iron 43.8mg	0%
Potassium 3217.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.4%

Protein: 23.2%

Carbs: 30.3%