Cheesy Griddle Dogs

Jul 09, 2025 • Tom Jackson

Take your backyard cookout to bold new territory with these Cheesy Griddle Dogs—a sizzling spin on the classic sausage sandwich. Seared to perfection on the Yoder Smokers YS640s cast iron griddle, juicy sausages are pressed under a hot casserole dish for unmatched crust and caramelization. They're nestled into golden cheese-crusted buns, topped with deeply savory grilled onions and finished with a generous drizzle of tangy Chicago Sauce. Every bite is packed with texture and flavor—from the crispy cheese edges to the savory Trail Dust seasoning. This is backyard food with real character, made hot and fast on a professional-grade pellet grill.

Cheesy Griddle Dogs Recipe | Crispy Cheese & Sausage Hot Dogs

Tom Jackson

Rated 5.0 stars by 2 users

Cuisine

American

Servings

4

Prep Time

20 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Calories

655

Griddled cheese buns. Pressed, seared sausages. Savory grilled onions and a kick of Chicago-style sauce. These Cheesy Griddle Dogs are a crave-worthy mashup of comfort food and serious grill technique—built hot and fast on the Yoder Smokers YS640s pellet grill.

Ingredients

4 (4 oz/each) raw sausages
1 1/3 cup Chihuahua (or other) cheese
1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
1 tsp Jacobsen Salt Co. Kosher Sea Salt
4 hotdog buns
3/4 cup Chicago Sauce The Original Sauce
Cornhusker Spray Duck Fat

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Directions

Preheat your Yoder Smokers YS640s pellet grill to 450ºF, set up with the diffuser in place and the Yoder Smokers Cast iron Griddle installed. Place a cast iron casserole dish on the griddle to pre-heat.
Slice onions as thin as possible. Place in a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon Jacobsen Salt Co. Kosher Sea Salt. Massage the salt into the onions. Let sit for 20 minutes. Transfer the onions to a thin cloth or cheesecloth. Squeeze tight to remove the liquid.
Move the Cast Iron Baking Pan to the right side of the griddle.
Spray the griddle with duck fat, then add the onions to the griddle. Stirring occasionally to brown evenly. When the onions begin to brown, move them to the casserole dish.
Place you sausages on the griddle, then place the casserole dish on top of them to press the for a better sear.
Flip the sausages and sear the opposite side. Remove the sausages and slice them down the middle horizontally, but not all the way through. Butterfly the sausages and place them back on the griddle to sear the inside, then remove.
Spray the griddle with more duck fat. Place your grated cheese directly on the griddle in the shape of your bun, then place the bun splayed on top. When the cheese forms a crust, flip the bun/cheese to toast the outside of the bun.
Place your sausages on the cheese crusted buns, then fill the middle with Chicago sauce and top with grilled onions.

Image of Cheesy Griddle Dogs Recipe | Crispy Cheese & Sausage Hot Dogs

Recipe Note

Tips & Insights from the Pit

Griddled sausage sandwiches have seen a major rise in popularity thanks to viral street food videos and smashburger-style techniques. This recipe brings that trend to your backyard—no flat-top cart required.

The Yoder Smokers YS640s with the cast iron griddle makes it easy to master these crave-worthy builds without needing a standalone griddle. The even heat and direct contact give you serious sear, while the ability to shift from open griddle to closed lid gives full control.

For best results:

Chill the sausages before searing to reduce curl
Squeeze and dry the onions after salting—this gives you a proper golden brown instead of a soft steam
Use Cornhusker Duck Fat Spray to amplify that sizzle and flavor

More Recipes to Try

Braised Beer Brats – A tailgate favorite with rich depth from the smoker
Alabama White Smash Burgers – For when you want crust, char, and juicy beef in every bite
Homemade Pork Hot Links – A spicy, crunchy combo that balances heat and tang

These recipes build on the same techniques—griddle work, sauce layering, and bold, smoky flavor. Looking for more griddle gear or flavor inspiration? Explore our cast iron collection or browse our sauces and rubs to keep building your backyard flavor toolbox.