Homemade Icelandic Hotdogs
Iceland is not known for its cuisine. However, it has become slightly famous for its Icelandic hotdogs, which are arguably one of the "must-try" foods when you visit Iceland.
Despite its immense natural beauty, Iceland is a largely barren country. Very little food grows easily in its harsh climate, and importing food into the island is very expensive. Fast food restaurants struggle to import ingredients while maintaining a suitable price point, and even McDonalds no longer operates in the country because it was simply not financially viable.
Hot dogs, which can be made of locally-sourced meat and which require few additional fresh ingredients, remain the king of fast food!
Why are Icelandic Hotdogs Famous?
In short, Icelandic hotdogs are a lot better tasting than most other hotdogs, which are often made of low-quality pork and beef. Icelandic lamb is famous for its unique taste that comes from free roaming sheep, and Icelandic hotdogs are made of an equal mix of local lamb, beef, and pork.
Honestly, Icelandic hotdogs have also probably become "famous" in part because they are one of the cheapest options for prepared food in Iceland. Food in iceland is exorbitantly expensive, and even Icelandic hot dogs are not cheap. The most famous Icelandic hot dog stand sells each hot dog for 600kr ($4.28 USD!). Yet, this is still by far the most affordable option for hot food in Iceland.
The Most Famous Icelandic Hotdog
The most famous place to try Icelandic hot dogs is by far Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, a hotdog stand in downtown Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. The stall has been open since 1937. They serve only hotdogs and soda. Yet, it is so famous that there is always a line to try their famous hot dogs. Even Bill Clinton has eaten from Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur!
What ingredients are needed to make Icelandic Hotdogs?
Pylsur, or Hot Dogs: Obviously, a truly authentic Icelandic Hotdog uses pylsur, or Icelandic hotdogs made with local lamb, beef, and pork. However, as they are nearly impossible to find outside of Iceland, any
Buns: Choose any high quality white hot dog bun for this recipe.
Beer: The best Icelandic hotdog shops are reported to heat their hotdogs in beer. Beer gives the meat an even better flavor.
Diced fresh onions: Finely diced raw onions help add crunch and a burst of freshness to the hotdog.
Fried Onions : Our recipe makes homemade crispy fried onions. Uou can also replace with pre-made fried onions for easier preparation.
Remoulade : Remoulade is essentially mayonnaise mixed with pickled ingredients. Our recipe uses mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, capers, pickles, and parsley to make an absolutely delicious sauce for the hotdog.
Icelandic Mustard : Icelandic mustard is very different than mustard you find in most other countries. It is very dark in color and sweet. It is essentially made from a mix of sweetened wheat and potato paste that is seasoned with mustard powder. I typically do not add mustard to my homemade Icelandic hot dogs, as I find mainstream mustard is far too bitter. If you do want to add mustard, I reccomend checking out your local IKEA, as they have a Swedish sweet mustard that most closely resembles Icelandic mustard.
Iceland ketchup : Icelandic ketchup is also quite different from mainstream American ketchup. Instead of being sweetened with corn syrup, it is sweetened with applesauce, so it has a much more mild and less sweet flavor. I always look for low sugar ketchup, and I often find that generic brands have considerably less sugar than brand names.
How to make Icelandic Hotdogs?
We start by deep frying onion strips breaded with milk and flour until crispy. Afterwards, you'll mix the remulade up.
Once you are ready to serve, you'll want to heat your hotdogs in a mixture of beer and water and then place in a bun. Top with raw onions, crispy fried onions, remoulade, and ketchup and enjoy!
Interested in cooking more recipes from around the world? Check out all of my travel-inspired recipes here!
It is hard to replicate authentic Icelandic hotdogs outside of Iceland, but this recipe comes as close as possible. High quality hot dogs, homemade remoulade, and crispy onions seriously upgrade any normal hotdog!
- 1/2 large onion (sliced very thin)
- 1.5 cup milk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- neutral oil (for frying)
- 1 cup high-quality mayonaise
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 2 tsp chopped capers
- 2 tsp chopped gherkin or dill pickle
- 1 tsp very finely chopped parsley
- 6 high quality hot-dogs, preferably all-beef
- 1 can beer
- 6 high quality hot-dog buns
- 4 tbsp low-sugar ketchup
- 4 tbsp very sweet mustard (optional)
- 1/2 large shallot or onion, diced very finely
- Fried Onions
- Soak sliced onions in milk for about 15 minutes
- Mix together flour, garlic powder, paprika, and salt in small bowl.
- Remove onion slices from milk and dredge in flour mixture, shaking to remove excess flour.
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a pan to a high heat. Once hot, drop breaded onion strips in oil.
- Cook 1-2 minutes until lightly browned.
- Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and let cool on paper towel.
- Can substitute for pre-made French fried onions if desired. - Remoulade
- Blend or mix together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, capers, gherkins, and chopped parsley until very well combined.
- Hot Dogs
- Pour can of beer in a large saucepan. Using the can itself to measure, add equal amounts of water.
- Add hotdogs to the beer-water mixture and bring to a simmer.
- Cook until hotdogs are warm and cooked through
- I personally use non-alcoholic beer as I live in a dry country. Any kind of beer will work for this recipe. - Assemble
- To assemble, place hot dogs on a bun. Add ketchup, remoulade, mustard (if desired), raw onions, and fried onions.
- Enjoy!
- Icelandic mustard is unlike any other mustard in the world. It is sweet with very little mustard flavor. I personally tend to omit it as I think the hot dog tastes more authentic without addition of non-Icelandic mustard.
- Icelandic ketchup is also considerably less sweet than many international brands, as it is made with applesauce instead of sugar! I reccomend looking for a low-sugar brand or even a generic ketchup brand, as they often have considerably less sweet tastes than name brand counterparts!