Bacon-Wrapped Sonoran Hot Dogs

Serves 4

by Robb Walsh
from The Tex-Mex Grill and Backyard Barbacoa Cookbook
Last Edit Date: 10/15/2012 3:21:38 PM

At Monterrey-style Mexican restaurants these are made with fat red hot dogs and are called salchichas rojos. In Tucson, they are called Sonoran hot dogs. There are all sorts of variations, but the bacon-wrapped weiner is essential. Look for a small size bolillo or torpedo roll to keep the bread-to-meat ratio in line.

For the Salsa Verde:

1 lb. tomatillos, husked and washed
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
3 fresh serrano chiles, seeded and minced
1 cup minced sweet onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
pinch of sugar
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
sea salt

For the Hot Dogs

4 tsp. mayonnaise
1 tsp. Tabasco or other hot sauce
Juice of 1 lemon
4 all-beef wieners (fat ones work better than long ones)
4 slices extra-thin bacon
4 torpedo rolls or bolillos
4 Tbs. warm refried beans
8 Tbs. chopped avocado (or guacamole)
4 heaping Tbs. grated Monterey jack or cheddar cheese
4 Tbs. chopped onion
4 Tbs. chopped tomato
4 Tbs. Salsa Verde

Make the Salsa Verde:

Put the cleaned tomatillos in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and allow the tomatillos to soak for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain, and puree the tomatillos in a food processor. Add the cilantro, serranos, onion, garlic sugar, and lime juice to the food processor and pulse three or four times to combine. Season with salt to taste.

Make the Hot Dogs:

Mix the mayo, Tabasco, and lemon juice and use a funnel to put the mayo blend in a squeeze bottle. Wrap the wieners with the bacon slices so the sausage is completely covered. Cook the wieners on a comal or flat top, rolling them over until the bacon is crunchy on all sides, about 7 minutes. Cut a pocket into the buns to form a "boat" and toast them on the grill. When the wieners are cooked, divide the beans and avocado among the four rolls, spooning them inside the pocket and spreading on either side. Spread the cheese down the middle. Using tongs put one piping-hot bacon-wrapped wiener into the pocket of each roll. Top each wiener with onions and tomatoes. Spread the Salsa Verde across the top. Apply the mayo blend in squiggles across the top of the hot dog.

Photo: Robb Walsh

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by shazzzz, 7/22/2011The first time I had this was in Pennsylvania and they called it a Texas Tommy, healthy no, yummy yes.

by Linda_52, 6/24/2011My daughter just came back from Tucson on a vacation where she raved about these hot dogs! I surfed the web and came across this recipe, so glad I did. I made a couple of changes and the result was fantastic. Used pinto beans and placed them in the bun first, made guacamole, BBQ the dogs and steamed the buns 1 minute prior to serving! I went by what my daughter had been served in Tucson, we were not disappointed with these minor changes. A wetter dog that's for sure I increased the mayonnaise & placed it in a squirt bottle so everyone could drizzle it over the dogs, did the same with the salsa verde. Impressive, my dinner was a hit! No left overs & two guests went to U of A ... what was I thinking they ate these on a regular basis. Let's just say these Sonoran Dogs we the talk of the evening. Served Margaritas, three fruit salsa and a southwest caesar with polenta croutons! Food Coma.........haha

by CarolWC, 10/23/2010My son and I just had these for dinner. We both loved them, but we thought the mayonnaise sauce was thin. Are the measurements correct: 4 teaspoons mayonnaise and a whole lemon? Perhaps 1/2 a lemon or more mayonnaise would have made a less runny sauce. I did use bottled salsa verde, but it was still excellent. We definitely intend to have them again.

by apperrault, 8/31/2010I had these hot dogs the last time I was in Tucson this summer and they are AMAZING. When I got home I tried to recreate them, and they were OK, but not as amazing. I think it was probably the wrong hot dog and a couple missing ingredients in the cream mixture. Also, if I can recommend something to people making this, I roast my tomatillos in a 400 degree oven until they start to break down, and then put all of that in the blender with the other ingredients to make the salsa. I think the roasting makes the salsa SO much more flavorful

by wuvs2cook, 8/7/2010Saw a TV show where I first heard about Sonoran Hot Dogs. Saw this recipe tried it, and was so happy I did. The flavor is amazing and undescribable you just have to savor it for yourself to understand my enjoyment of this recipe.