What Exactly Is In A Hot Dog Besides Meat?

As it turns out, it takes a few more components than just meat to make a hot dog a hot dog. They contain nitrates, chemical compounds sometimes used as a curing agent.

These nitrates add a pink color to the hot dog and make it salty. Cured hot dogs contain nitrites like potassium, while natural nitrites like celery powder are in uncured hot dogs.

Hot dogs also contain spices such as sugar, salt, coriander, garlic, white pepper, ground mustard, nutmeg, and paprika. Water is also added for mixing the meat and spices.

Depending on the hot dog, it might also contain an artificial or natural casing of outer "skin" that gives it its signature shape, and that slight snap when you bite into it.