Pushcart Onion Sauce

YIELDS: 2 cups

COOK TIME: 20 Min

Pushcart Onion Sauce is an easy version of the traditional topping that's served up at New York City hot dog stands. Take your taste buds to the Big Apple with the very first bite! We love our Pushcart Onion Sauce recipe because it's that all-American hot dog cart flavor from the comfort of home. You'll love it too, especially when it upgrades any cookout menu in a matter of seconds!

What You'll Need

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, cut in half then into 1/4-inch slices
1/3 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
Dash of hot pepper sauce
1 cup water

What to Do

In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil until hot; add onions and saute 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and tender.
Add ketchup, chili powder, cinnamon, salt, and hot pepper sauce; mix well. Stir in water and bring mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture is heated through.

Before You Start Cooking!

This Pushcart Onion Sauce is really great spooned over cooked hot dogs, but try it with other foods, too! You'll be amazed at how fast they disappear!
If you're looking for some more great ways to decorate your franks, check out our collection of Amazing Hot Dog Recipes!
The Fourth of July is a big time for chowing down on hot dogs. But we've got even more recipes to make your holiday as tastey as it can be! Try our All-American Flank Steak for a grilling success.
And for dessert, we've got our American Berry Trifle and our Independence Day Brookie Bars.

Nutritional InformationShow More

Servings Per Recipe: 2

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Calories 204
Calories from Fat 125
Total Fat 14g 21 %
Saturated Fat 1.9g 9 %
Trans Fat 0.0g 0 %
Protein 2.0g 4 %

Amount Per Serving % Daily Value *
Cholesterol 0.0mg 0 %
Sodium 479mg 20 %
Total Carbohydrates 21g 7 %
Dietary Fiber 2.2g 9 %
Sugars 14g 0 %

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JRP

Mar 10, 2024

I've read NY pushcarts use yellow onions for the sauce, but there is no mention of it here. Do you use yellow, white, or sweet onions?

Rnbowgrl

Oct 25, 2018

Hmmm, I'm a huge fan of onion and I do love me a good hot dog but I've never heard of pushcart onion sauce before...it sounds amazing though and I'm pretty sure it would be delicious on a plethora of sandwiches and burgers as well as hot dogs. Do you know how long the shelf life is on this sauce...and would it be best to store in the refrigerator?

Test Kitchen Team

Oct 26, 2018

Hi there! You can store this for about a week, in an air tight container, in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Rnbowgrl

Oct 28, 2018

Thank you!

kmcartoonity 62072 74

Mar 01, 2017

I was unsure about this recipe first saw it, the cinnamon paired with the onions seemed a little strange to me. It turned out really good though, and I will surely be making this simple condiment recipe again soon. It is so versatile and easy to make. In addition to hot dogs and burgers, this would be great on top of a sub sandwich, a sloppy joe, or even on top of a nice salad.

beachsquirrel 8716 971

Jul 04, 2013

This is very tasty stuff! A big spoonful on top of a hamburger is delicious too! Very easy to make and we usually have the ingredients on hand.

maluessi 9217480

May 27, 2013

This sauce is amazing! My husband describe a sauce he eats downtown Milwaukee on called a Brooklyn Brown. According to him this sauce is dead on a perfect copycat!! Yeah for me and Mr. Food :)

grannyblu

Oct 01, 2012

Born and raised in Chicago we never put ketchup on our hot dogs (small children had ketchup on hot dogs ) Ketchup was used on french fries often ... In chicago it is always mustard picaliily and chopped onions sometimes a nice hot pepper(sport pepper) on top But this sauce is interesting and will try it!

iris125

Nov 30, 2011

Love this sauce and so simple, Thankyou Mr Food.

lbircher 0981480

Jul 02, 2011

My mom made the pushcart onion sauce and I am now making my own batch it really is "ooh it's so good!" It is awesome on brats too.

chivasrox 2140907

Jun 15, 2011

! Well A NY Coney Island Dog it's NOT ! -- or is that a lost art ?

roncremeans 410385 1

Jun 15, 2011

A SNAP TO FIX AND TASTES GREAT.

Betkefest

Jun 10, 2011

Great recipe - but use more chili powder, more cinnamon, more hot sauce, more ketchup, and less water. Otherwise it's too thin. Add water at the end if you need to stretch it out. I'm a native New Yorker living in Chicago and this recipe really reminds me of NYC!

BeckySue

May 25, 2016

Thanks for the tip! I can't wait to make this onion sauce. Memorial Day is coming up so I need something like this for grilled brauts and burgers. I would never have thought to put those spices together but then I don't have to because this site does it for me. LOL

shanna52

Jun 06, 2011

This recipe is GREAT -- friends made it to go on top of brats at a motorcycle rally and it was gobbled up, here in KS!