Michigan Sauce

Transform your backyard barbecue into a regional classic with this flavorful Michigan Sauce recipe, a hearty and tangy hot dog topping that's sure to impress. Made with perfectly seasoned ground beef, a rich blend of ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and warm spices like chili powder and cumin, this sauce captures the bold, savory essence of upstate New York's iconic street food. Simmered to perfection, it strikes a beautiful balance between sweet and spicy, with optional cayenne pepper for those who love a touch of heat. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes and perfect for serving over grilled hot dogs in soft buns, this recipe is ideal for cookouts, game days, or an indulgent weeknight treat. Don't forget to top it with diced onions or shredded cheese for an extra layer of flavor. Whether you're recreating a roadside classic or looking for an irresistible hot dog topping, this Michigan Sauce recipe is a must-try for fans of comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1.5 cups ketchup
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cup water

Directions

Step 1

In a large skillet or saucepan, add the ground beef and cook over medium heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns. Cook for about 5–7 minutes until it is fully browned and no pink remains.

Step 2

Add the finely diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.

Step 3

Reduce the heat to low and add the ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine the ingredients.

Step 4

Pour in the water and stir to create a slightly saucy consistency. Simmer the mixture uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the flavors meld together and the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5

Once cooked, taste and adjust the seasoning as desired, adding more salt, pepper, or spice for your preference.

Step 6

Serve the Michigan sauce warm over grilled hot dogs in buns, and garnish as desired with chopped onions or shredded cheese.

Step 7

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1106.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1429.5

Total Fat 82.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 32.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 321.1mg	0%
Sodium 3559.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 107.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 5.1g	0%
Total Sugars 70.5g
Protein 79.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 139.2mg	0%
Iron 11.0mg	0%
Potassium 1558.9mg	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: 49.7%

Protein: 21.4%

Carbs: 28.9%