Red Hot (or Carolina Packer)
Bright red all-beef hot dog with chili, slaw, onions, and mustard; distinct from standard Carolina due to its red casing.
The Carolina Red Hot—often just called a “Red Hot” or “Carolina Packer” dog—is a bright red sausage found primarily in eastern North Carolina. Produced by Carolina Packers since 1941 under the brand “Bright Leaf,” these hot dogs are known for their vivid red color and coarser grind compared to standard franks. They’re often grilled or boiled and served in a soft bun with regional toppings like slaw, chili, mustard, and onions. The bright red color is more about tradition than flavor, tracing back to Depression-era efforts to make franks visually appealing. For many North Carolinians, Red Hots are a nostalgic staple at cookouts, gas station grills, and football games. The look is shocking—but the flavor is pure Southern comfort.
Authentic Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Bright Leaf red hot dogs (Carolina Packers brand preferred)
- 4 Hot dog buns (Plain buns)
- 1 pound Ground beef (For chili)
- 1 can Crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 4 cups Green cabbage (Finely shredded for slaw)
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sugar (For slight sweetness)
- as needed Yellow mustard
- 1/2 cup Diced onions
Instructions
- Make chili: Brown ground beef in large pan, breaking it down very finely.
- Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder to coat meat.
- Pour in beef broth and whisk to break meat down completely.
- Add crushed tomatoes, reduce heat to medium.
- Simmer until thick, stirring occasionally (no beans!).
- Make coleslaw: Whisk together mayo, cider vinegar, and sugar until smooth.
- Toss with finely shredded cabbage until well coated.
- Cook red hot dogs on flat-top griddle or grill until charred with black streaks.
- Place charred red hot dog in plain bun.
- Top with beef chili (no beans).
- Add creamy coleslaw on top.
- Sprinkle with diced onions.
- Add yellow mustard line.
- Serve immediately. This is authentic North Carolina tradition since 1941!
Related Styles (kinda)
4 similar styles
The Carolina-Style Dog is a regional favorite across North and South Carolina, typically topped with chili, creamy coleslaw, yellow mustard, and sometimes chopped onions. It's a savory-sweet, tangy blend that defines Southern hot dog culture.
The Jackson Coney Dog features a beef and pork hot dog in a steamed bun topped with a thick, beanless meat chili, yellow mustard, and onions. It's a heartier, mildly spiced take on the Michigan Coney legacy.
Hot dog topped with green or red chile sauce, cheese, and onions, a style popular in New Mexico.
The Flint Coney Dog features a dry, finely ground beef heart chili topping on a beef hot dog in a steamed bun, garnished with mustard and raw onion. It's bold, crumbly, and unapologetically meaty.