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    5 Best Summer Hot Dogs

    With a warm breeze as their ultimate side dish, franks are a simple summer staple everyone can enjoy. Fire up the grill for these best-in-show dogs.

    Oscar Mayer Selects Oscar Mayer Selects


    Oscar Mayer Selects Beef Franks

    Tasters' Pick: Taste and texture came together perfectly in Oscar Mayer's Selects Beef Franks ($5.69 for 16 oz.) with their "smoky," "meaty" flavor and "crisp" casing that couldn't be beat. This "hearty," "flavorful" hot dog "tastes like sausage" and boasts a lack of any added artificial preservatives, like nitrites or nitrates.


    Ball Park Deli Style Franks Ball Park Deli Style Franks

    Ball Park Deli Style Beef Franks

    Taste testers looking for more than just a salty hot dog ranked Ball Park Deli Style beef franks ($4.41 for 15 oz.) highly for its "classic" taste mixed with a "hint of sweetness." Described as "rich" and "beefy," this "satisfying" hot dog hit the spot and had tasters reaching for seconds.

    Related: Our Summer Grilling Cookbook

    Boar's Head FranksBoar's Head Franks Boar's Head Pork and Beef Frankfurters

    Editors' Pick: "The crispy skin is terrific!" pretty much sums up testers' reactions to the natural casing of this pork and beef frank from Boar's Head ($5.99 for 14 oz.). The "super crackly" exterior was a delight to those looking for a contrast to the chewier interior. The pronounced pork flavor also added delicious depth to the meaty richness of this frank.



    Ball Park Hot Dogs Ball Park Hot Dogs Ball Park Premium Beef Franks

    Described as "garlicky" with "a nice salty/sweet balance," Ball Park Premium Beef Franks ($4.11 for 16 oz.) were an overall hit with tasters who appreciated their "milder," "slightly less salty" flavor. Most preferred their "crispy" exteriors to its "pasty," "bologna"-like interiors, which were just a bit "too smooth."

    Related: How to Grill Vegetables

    Oscar Mayer Angus Beef Hot DogOscar Mayer Angus Beef Hot Dog



    Oscar Mayer Selects Angus Beef Franks

    Tasters were divided on the "smoky" flavor of these Angus beef hot dogs ($5.69 for 15 oz.); some enjoyed the assertiveness of it, while others thought them slightly artificial tasting. Most tasters loved the "satisfying snap" of this hot dog when they bit into it and compared its "garlicky" flavor to those you would find at a classic New York hot dog cart.

    For all 11 reviews, be sure to check out the results of our hot dog taste test . Be sure to check out our top picks for mustard, ketchup, and relish to dress your dog up right!


    - by The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen


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      You can substitute an equal amount of fresh blueberries for the blackberries; be sure to rinse and dry them thoroughly before scattering over the batter.

      Yellow cornmeal produces a dessert that has a rich, golden color, but you could use white cornmeal instead.