When following a low-carb or ketogenic diet, it’s important to know the exact carb counts of the foods you’re eating. Hot dogs without the bun are often considered low-carb, but how many carbs are actually in a plain hot dog? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Carbs?
Carbohydrates, often referred to simply as “carbs,” are one of the main macronutrients found in foods, along with protein and fat. They are the main source of energy for the body.
There are three main types of carbs:
- Sugars – Found naturally in some foods like fruit or milk. Added sugars are also common ingredients in processed foods.
- Starches – Found in starchy vegetables like potatoes, beans, lentils, and grains.
- Fiber – Found in plant foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.
Fiber is a special type of carb that our bodies cannot fully break down. So grams of fiber are usually not counted in net carb counts. Net carbs refer to the total carbohydrates minus fiber.
When counting carbs for a low-carb diet, net carbs are typically used.
Carbs in Hot Dogs
Most hot dogs contain 3 main ingredients: cured meat, fat, and water. Some brands may also contain fillers, preservatives, flavorings, or binders to help hold the hot dog together.
The cured meat is the biggest source of carbs. Meat naturally contains glycogen, which is stored carbohydrate. During the curing process, some of this glycogen breaks down into sugars.
The amount of carbs can vary based on the ingredients and preparation method, but here are some general carb counts in hot dogs:
- Beef hot dogs – around 1g net carbs per frank
- Turkey hot dogs – around 1-3g net carbs per frank
- Chicken or pork hot dogs – around 1-2g net carbs per frank
- Meatless or veggie dogs – around 2-5g net carbs per frank
So a single beef, turkey, chicken or pork hot dog without a bun contains less than 3 grams of net carbs. This makes them a low-carb food on their own.
However, many hot dog brands also make their dogs larger for bun lengths. These jumbo hot dogs can be over 6 inches long and contain about double the carbs.
Factors That Increase Carbs in Hot Dogs
While a standard hot dog is very low carb, there are some factors that can increase the carbs:
- Buns – Buns quickly add carbs. A regular bread bun has about 15g net carbs. Specialty buns like pretzel or Hawaiian rolls often have even more.
- Condiments – Ketchup, relish, barbecue sauce and other high-sugar condiments increase carbs.
- Fillers – Some brands use fillers like soy protein or wheat. Look for 100% meat hot dogs.
- Vegetable Dogs – Meatless hot dogs replace meat with starchy vegetables, boosting carbs.
- Size – Jumbo foot-long franks can have double the carbs of a regular hot dog.
So while plain beef hot dogs are very low in carbs, the add-ons and preparation method can make a big difference.
The Best Low-Carb Hot Dog Options
If you’re limiting carbs, look for these features when selecting hot dogs:
- 100% beef, pork, chicken or turkey – no fillers
- Regular size – avoid jumbo dogs
- Bunless – skip the bun to avoid an extra 15+ grams of carbs
- Yellow mustard instead of ketchup or relish
- Avoid sugary bbq sauces or jams
Some of the best low-carb hot dog brands include:
- Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks – 1g net carb per frank
- Applegate Farms Beef Hot Dogs – 1g net carb per frank
- Butterball Turkey Franks – 1g net carb per frank
- Organic Prairie Grassfed Beef Franks – 1g net carb per frank
- Dietz and Watson Original Beef Franks – 0g net carbs per frank
Making your own homemade hot dogs is also an option for full control over the ingredients. Some recipes use carb binders like almond flour to help hold them together.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
Here is a nutrition facts comparison of some popular low-carb hot dog brands for the standard sized franks:
| Hot Dog Brand (per frank) | Calories | Fat | Protein | Net Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan’s Famous Beef Franks | 140 | 13g | 5g | 1g |
| Applegate Farms Beef Hot Dogs | 110 | 9g | 7g | 1g |
| Butterball Turkey Franks | 50 | 2.5g | 7g | 1g |
| Organic Prairie Grassfed Beef Franks | 90 | 7g | 7g | 1g |
| Dietz and Watson Original Beef Franks | 80 | 7g | 7g | 0g |
As you can see, the nutrition stats vary between beef and turkey/chicken hot dogs, with turkey and chicken dogs generally being leaner and lower in calories. But all of these contain either 0-1g net carb per hot dog.
Low-Carb Hot Dog Recipe Ideas
Here are some tasty low-carb hot dog recipe ideas:
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Wrap each hot dog in bacon and secure with a toothpick. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until the bacon is crisp. The combination of hot dog and bacon makes for a protein-packed, low-carb meal. Add a spoonful of sauerkraut on top.
Coney Dogs
Cook hot dogs and place in a low-carb tortilla. Top with mustard, diced onions and spicy ground beef. You can also swap the tortilla for chopped lettuce wraps.
Campfire Dogs
Grill hot dogs over an open flame and optionally wrap in foil with slices of cheese to melt. Top with mustard and sauerkraut. Enjoy this low-carb classic at your next campout.
Nacho Dogs
Cover hot dogs with low-carb canned chili, shredded cheddar cheese and your favorite nacho toppings. You can skip the bun and eat with a fork.
Should You Eat Hot Dogs on Keto?
Hot dogs get a bad reputation for being highly processed and unhealthy. However, high quality beef, pork, turkey and chicken franks can fit into a keto diet.
Some benefits of hot dogs on keto:
- Convenient and portable
- Contain mostly protein and fat, with minimal carbs
- Provide variety from other typical proteins like beef, chicken, eggs and salmon
- Kids and adults typically enjoy hot dogs
- Versatile ingredient for appetizers, sandwiches, casseroles and more
Of course, hot dogs are still a processed food. Some drawbacks include:
- High sodium content – many brands have upwards of 500mg per hot dog
- Nitrates/nitrites used for preservation
- Potential carcinogenic compounds formed during high-heat cooking
- Heavily processed – not a “whole food”
Moderation and choosing high-quality brands are key when incorporating hot dogs into a keto diet. They can be an occasional convenience food, but shouldn’t be a diet staple.
Hot Dog FAQ
Here are some common questions about hot dogs on a low-carb or keto diet:
Are turkey dogs lower carb than beef hot dogs?
Most turkey hot dogs have similar carb counts to beef hot dogs, around 0-2g net carbs. Turkey can sometimes be slightly higher than beef if fillers are used. Check labels and choose 100% turkey with no carby fillers.
Can you eat hot dogs on keto?
Yes, you can eat hot dogs on a keto diet, as long as you avoid the bun. Choose beef, turkey, chicken or pork franks and limit high-carb toppings. Hot dogs can fit into a keto meal plan when consumed in moderation.
What is the healthiest hot dog?
Some of the healthier hot dog options include:
- Organic, grass-fed beef hot dogs
- Organic and nitrate-free turkey or chicken hot dogs
- Low-sodium hot dogs
- Hot dogs without gluten, fillers or MSG
Avoid hot dogs with excessive fat, nitrates, and high-carb fillers like soy protein and cereal grains.
Can you eat hot dogs on a low carb diet?
Yes, hot dogs without the bun can fit into a low-carb diet as an occasional convenience food. Aim for less than 15g net carbs per day on a standard low-carb diet. Just 1-2 plain beef, pork or poultry franks can fit this carb limit.
Which hot dogs are lowest in carbs?
Beef, pork, chicken and turkey hot dogs with no fillers are lowest in carbs – around 0-1g net carb per frank. Dietz & Watson original franks are 0g net carbs. Avoid vegetarian dogs, jumbo sizes, and high-carb toppings.
The Bottom Line
A plain beef, pork, turkey or chicken hot dog contains less than 1g of net carbs per frank. This makes a bun-less hot dog a low-carb option. However, the add-ons like buns, condiments and preparation method can quickly increase carbs and sodium.
When choosing a brand, look for 100% meat with no fillers or vegetables. Opt for yellow mustard instead of sweet ketchups or relishes. And skipping the refined flour bun prevents an extra 15+ grams of carbohydrates.
Overall, an occasional high-quality hot dog on its own without a bun can fit into a healthy low-carb or keto diet when eating in moderation. Just be mindful of sodium content and other processed factors.
