Why Costco's Food Court Hot Dogs Taste Different Than The Kirkland Brand You Buy

People shop at Costco for multiple reasons, but one of the big draws has long been the $1.50 food court hot dog. The Costco hot dog has become iconic not just for the taste, but for the value, as the company has not raised the price since 1985. The chain has sold a lot of dogs in that time, and many people have tried to recreate the magic at home since they are made from Kirkland Signature all beef wieners, which are sold in-store. Unfortunately, some fans say it's almost impossible to get them to taste the same when you make them at home. The difference comes down to the cooking method.

While a hot dog seems easy to make at home, the same is true for a hamburger. That doesn't mean it's simple to recreate a Whopper or a Big Mac. Costco takes a few steps that may not seem obvious at first. According to a former employee on Reddit, Costco uses an unusual cooking method for its hot dogs. "They are simply held in hot water till they reach an internal temp of 165," the employee said. "The water is not boiling or even simmering, it's just really really hot." This poaching method is how the dogs are cooked. No other heating is used, and others have confirmed the same method.

After cooking comes the bun. "The buns are steamed," the employee continued. "The easiest way to do it at home would be to wrap the buns in a damp paper towel and microwave for a few seconds."

The buns used by Costco vary by region. Some locations may use freshly-baked potato buns, while others use Francisco Gourmet Seeded Hot Dog Rolls. Parts of Canada use Dempster's buns, and S. Rosen's can be found in some locations. That means getting the exact bun could be easy or impossible, depending on where you live. You may have to check what Costco has available and choose whatever most closely resembles the food court offering if you're trying this yourself. Steaming the buns is essential because they should be soft and even a little bit sticky. Make sure your buns are open when you try to steam them so the inside gets soft and not just the exterior. 

Getting the correct toppings is also important. Costco hot dog toppings differ from country to country, but in the U.S., it offers ketchup, mustard, relish, and white onions. Though Costco sells Heinz ketchup in-store, it uses Kirkland Signature ketchup in the food court. Redditors say the yellow mustard and relish are both Heinz.

As simple as a hot dog sounds, recreating a Costco version at home becomes more complicated when you consider the specific steps involved. None of them are especially difficult, but they can't be skipped. Getting the right brand of condiments, making sure your bun is properly steamed, and most importantly poaching the hot dog to the correct internal temperature are all steps that a casual diner might not notice at first glance, but they are necessary pieces of the puzzle.