Colombian Hot Dog (Perro Caliente Colombiano)
Perro caliente colombiano Say it: PEH-roh kah-lee-EN-teh koh-lohm-BEE-ah-noh
The Colombian hot dog is a beloved street-food classic found throughout Colombia, especially in cities like Bogotá and Medellín. A soft bun holds a grilled or boiled sausage that is generously topped with pineapple sauce, creamy coleslaw, potato sticks, crushed potato chips, and a drizzle of sauces. Sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy all at once, this over-the-top hot dog is a fun, satisfying meal that reflects Colombia’s love for bold flavor combinations and layered textures.
Colombian Hot Dog (Perro Caliente Colombiano)
Perro caliente colombiano
Pronounced PEH-roh kah-lee-EN-teh koh-lohm-BEE-ah-noh
- Serves
- 4
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
Amounts are scaled. Cooking times and pan sizes stay the same.
Method
Make the coleslaw. combine shredded cabbage and grated carrot in a bowl. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar and salt until smooth, then toss with the vegetables. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Prepare the pineapple sauce if making from scratch: blend crushed pineapple with vinegar, sugar and salt until slightly chunky. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Cook the sausages. grill or simmer the hot dogs in water for 5-7 minutes until heated through and plump.
Warm the buns. lightly toast the hot dog buns on a grill or in a dry skillet until just golden.
Assemble each hot dog. place a sausage in a bun, spoon a generous layer of coleslaw on one side.
Add a line of pineapple sauce over the sausage, then sprinkle a handful of shoestring potato sticks.
Top with crushed potato chips for extra crunch.
Finish with drizzles of ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard in any pattern you like.
Serve immediately while the chips and potato sticks are still crisp.
Regional variants
Some regions add chopped fresh pineapple or a sprinkle of grated cheese. Street vendors often offer additional sauces like ají picante for those who want heat.
Cook's notes
- The contrast between the sweet pineapple, creamy slaw and salty crunch is what makes this hot dog special; don’t skip any toppings.
- Use good-quality soft buns that can hold the generous toppings without falling apart.
- Assemble right before serving so the potato sticks and chips stay crunchy.
Serve with
Ice-cold Colombian soda or beer, and plenty of extra napkins.
Make ahead and storage
Prepare coleslaw and pineapple sauce up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate. Cook sausages and assemble just before serving.
