andrejthechef
AustriaSausageLunch

Käsekrainer Hot Dog

A grilled Austrian sausage studded with melted cheese, pushed through a hollowed bread roll and served with mustard.

prep
10 min
cook
15 min
total
25 min
serves
4
level
medium
A grilled Käsekrainer sausage with melted cheese pockets pushed through a hollowed bread roll with mustard

Käsekrainer is a Slovenian-style sausage studded with chunks of cheese that melt into pockets as it cooks, sold from Würstelstand carts that dot every corner of Vienna. Eating one on the street, standing at the cart’s little counter, is part of the experience.

Vienna’s trick is to skip the usual split bun and instead punch a hole lengthwise through a crusty roll, then push the hot sausage straight through it so both ends poke out. The casing has to stay intact on the grill, since that is what keeps the melted cheese from running out early.

Käsekrainer Hot Dog is one of the best hot dogs from around the world.

method

  1. Grill or pan-fry the Käsekrainer over medium heat, turning gently, for 10 to 12 minutes until the casing is golden and the cheese inside is molten. Do not prick the casing while it cooks.

  2. Using a bread knife or an apple corer, punch a hole lengthwise through the center of each roll.

  3. Spread a little mustard inside the hole.

  4. Push the hot sausage through the roll so both ends poke out slightly.

  5. Serve with extra mustard, and ketchup if you like, on the side.

chef's tips

  • Never pierce the sausage casing while it cooks, since that is exactly where the cheese is.
  • An apple corer makes the cleanest, fastest hole through the roll.
  • This is street food sold from Würstelstand carts across Vienna, best eaten standing up.