Toms River, NJ – Few things say summer in New Jersey quite like hot dogs on the grill, and for many backyard cooks, no barbecue is complete without the signature red onion sauce made famous by New York City’s Sabrett hot dog carts.
Nothing says New Jersey/New York hot dogs like onion sauce. Onion sauce is a local condiment and beloved in New Jersey and New York.
Sabrett hot dog onion sauce—that signature sweet-and-tangy topping—is deeply intertwined with both New York and New Jersey.
While it is famous as the hallmark of NYC “dirty water” carts, the sauce was actually invented in Bergen County, NJ and is manufactured by Marathon Enterprises in Englewood, New Jersey.
The sauce was created in the early 1960s by Alan S. Geisler, a food technologist and Tenafly, native. Gregory Papalexis, a New Jersey bun manufacturer, purchased Sabrett in 1989, and today the company is still headquartered in New Jersey.
While widely associated with New York street vendors, it remains a beloved staple on local New Jersey hot dog menus from Cape May to High Point and from Camden to Newark.
While a 16-ounce jar of Sabrett Pushcart Style Onions in Sauce typically sells for between $5.49 and $12.99, depending on the retailer, a homemade version costs just a few dollars to prepare and delivers fresh, customizable flavor.
You can actually make this with ingredients you most likely already have in your home and make it taste better and without the preservatives in the name brand.
At area supermarkets, prices generally range from about $5.49 at Stop & Shop to around $6 at ShopRite and Acme. Online retailers often charge significantly more, with jars selling for $12 or more.
A simple copycat recipe
This homemade version captures the sweet, tangy flavor that has made the sauce a staple for hot dogs, sausages, burgers, and even cheesesteaks.
Ingredients
- 2 large yellow or red onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a few dashes of hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
Optional flavor boosters include:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon ketchup for added sweetness and color
How to make it
Heat the olive oil (or butter) in a saucepan over medium heat and cook the onions until softened but not browned, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute before adding the water, vinegar, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes. Simmer the mixture for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can also add Heinz ketchup, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can even spice it up with some red chilies or jalapeños if you wish. Remember, this is now your creation, do with it what you want to put your own cultural or culinary touches on it.
Whisk in the cornstarch slurry (not always necessary if you go heavier on the tomato paste) and continue cooking for another two to three minutes until the sauce thickens. Let it cool slightly before serving, or refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to develop even further.
The sauce keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about a week and is often even better the next day. If you just used your last Sabrett red onion sauce, you can even clean the jar and desanitize it in a pot of boiling water and reuse it. Your guests won’t even know until they taste how much better yours is.
A Jersey Shore cookout favorite
Whether you’re grilling on the deck, tailgating, or spending the day at the Shore, homemade onion sauce is an inexpensive way to recreate the classic hot dog stand flavor without paying premium grocery store prices.
Serve it piled high over grilled hot dogs with spicy brown mustard for the closest taste to a classic New York pushcart.
But if you like the classic, by all means, get it from the grocery store. Either way, don’t dare have a cookout with hot dogs in New Jersey without the red onion sauce…your neighbors and friends will say things behind your back.
You can avoid the drama by being prepared.
