Can (And Should You) Cook Hot Dogs In Their Plastic Packaging?

Summer cookouts are underway and the next time you fire up the grill for some hot dogs, make sure to take them out of their plastic packaging before cooking. Even if you're just boiling them, do not immerse the hot dog packaging in hot water. When subject to heat, plastic materials tend to give off harmful chemicals which can leach into your food. Considering even microwave-safe plastic isn't totally safe when subject to heat and moisture, the flimsy plastic wrapping that hot dogs come packaged in is definitely not meant to withstand high cooking temperatures.

A 2021 study published in Healthcare reported that chemicals called phthalates can accumulate in the body and have adverse long-term effects on the endocrine system and the functioning of various organs. Many people consider the dangers of heating food in plastic as a side effect of balancing safety with convenience, and while that may be the case in other situations, cooking hot dogs in their packaging is not one of them. You really aren't saving that much effort since you'll have to open the package at some point anyway. Plus, heating those dogs once they're unwrapped leads to better heat distribution and ultimately tastier results.

For the juiciest hot dogs with those perfectly browned bits, use a combination of boiling and grilling. Best of all, the process is much easier than the results will have you believe.

Hot dogs come ready to eat right out of the packaging but consuming them uncooked isn't recommended for pregnant individuals or those with an increased risk of food-borne illnesses. Plus, who wants to have a cold dog when subjecting it to a little bit of heat improves the texture and makes all the flavors and juices come alive?

Per the USDA, food packaging material is not meant to be cooked, but if it remains unaltered during the cooking process without melting or losing shape, the meat it is cooked with doesn't pose an immediate health risk. Despite there being no immediate danger, it's important to consider that the chemicals from heated plastic can be absorbed by food and pose adverse long-term health effects. Further research on the subject is required, but in the meantime, lower the chance of risk and avoid heating plastic packaging that's not meant to withstand heat.

In addition to the dangers of ingesting microplastics and phthalates, cooking hot dogs in their packaging leads to uneven cooking. If they are cold or frozen, their insides may not get heated through. And, you risk getting melted plastic on your kit if you cook hot dogs on the grill without removing them from their packaging. However, if a dirty grill is making you avoid putting hot dogs on the grate, an onion cleans barbecue gunk off in a jiffy, and you can even use a potato to create a nonstick grilling surface.

There are multiple reasons why most hot dog vendors boil their dogs instead of grilling them, and while speed and convenience are certainly factors, boiled dogs are also juicier than their grilled counterparts. Whether you're only making a few or enough to feed a party, the easiest way to make juicy hot dogs is to remove them from their plastic packaging and simmer them in water. 

For an ideal texture, the hot dog should be heated till it has an internal temperature of about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, heat your water to that temperature (use a food thermometer for accuracy) and let it simmer while you poach the dogs. This method works well for several reasons: It's easy to maintain water at a specific cooking temperature, and franks that are immersed get heated through even if they are frozen. You can have them simmering in the water until you're ready to serve, making it easy to whip up large batches quickly. You can also sous vide them, which delivers tasty results but takes longer.

If you want some char, a few minutes on the skillet or under the broiler is enough to give you some delicious browning. Or, for the best of both worlds, throw those poached dogs on the grill for a few seconds.