How It’s Made - Hot Dogs

Natural casings

If you opt for fresh, artisanal frankfurters, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter a natural hot dog casing. Per the American Meat Science Association, natural hot dog casings are typically made from an animal’s small intestine, large intestine, or part of the stomach, although some traditionalists will employ casings made from the bladder. Natural casings have a lovely, tender bite and are highly permeable, allowing the meat inside to take on a smoky flavor. They are, however, a bit more prone to tangling than their collagen counterparts (see below), which are naturally more rigid and easier to fill.

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Collagen casings

In most cases, collagen casings are the home cook’s answer to natural casings. They’re also edible and made from animal tissue, but they’re a bit easier to find online than natural casings. Since both collagen and natural casings are edible, you won’t have to worry about stripping them off of your homemade dogs. That only applies, of course, if you’re excited by the prospect of making homemade dogs. I... likely will never pursue that. I’ve got other options.

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