Charred hot dogs on a smoky grill

What's The Big Difference Between Frankfurters And Hot Dogs?

NEWS

By ELIAS NASH

Hot dog on a bun with ketchup and mustard
Frankfurters are a German-style sausage named for the city of Frankfurt, while hot dogs are an American invention. Their biggest difference lies in their main ingredients.
Platter of frankfurters with a bowl of dipping sauce
Frankfurters are made from pork, while hot dogs can be made from various meats. The most popular meats for hot dogs are beef and pork, but chicken and turkey are also used.
Two hot dogs on buns with mustard
The ingredients in a hot dog besides meat are mainly spices and curing agents. The same goes for frankfurters, but they differ when it comes to the casings.
Hand holding two hot dogs on buns with ketchup and mustard against a city landscape
Hot dogs can come in natural or synthetic casings, while the ones for frankfurters are traditionally fashioned from salted animal intestines.