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Trying to get my all beef hot dogs more pink/red color.

PostPosted: Mon Jul 03, 2017 11:32 pm
by vern
Hey guys, I have been making a hot dog that I love the taste of, but the color of the dogs is a little unappealing--they come out a brown variation. I am planning on selling these dogs and 'frankly' speaking, a brown colored hot dog turns people off. I've done some small group studies with my recent dogs. :(

While I don't want to add dye to the dogs to make them more pink/red, any clues on how I might go about that? I look at bigger commercial 'natural' dogs and do not see anything that can tip me off, no dyes, artificial colors, etc.

I am using 1 teaspoon of nitrate per 5 lbs, so I don't think I can increase that any.

Using a 50/50 blend of beef and fat, so don' think I want/can increase the fat content.

I am using 2 tbl of paprika per 5 lbs of beef, should I cut that back? My butcher friend says paprika can make meats turn darker, they are just not sure if that the scenario in this case. No other spices in the mix that are considered spices that really could influence color: mace, mustard seed, garlic, celery seed, s & p.

Any info that you feel might be important, please feel free to share, I've had a tough Monday :D

Re: Trying to get my all beef hot dogs more pink/red color.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 11:04 am
by wheels
Welcome.

Nitrate takes time to work. Using cure #1 - nitrite instead of nitrate should do the trick.

Phil

Re: Trying to get my all beef hot dogs more pink/red color.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 11:42 am
by Snags
Im wondering if anyone has tried betroot powder ?
Its a natural red dye and its naturally high in nitrates
Not sure if the flavour may change to much???

Re: Trying to get my all beef hot dogs more pink/red color.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 7:26 pm
by NCPaul
Tell us how you are smoking the hot dogs? You might also try salting and cure # 1 the night before you are going to make. Welcome to the forum. :D

Re: Trying to get my all beef hot dogs more pink/red color.

PostPosted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 10:45 pm
by wheels
NCPaul,
I'm worried that the OP hasn't replied. Particularly as using Nitrate at 1 teaspoon to 5 lbs of meat doesn't meet any sensible standard for a hot dog that's going to be sold.

I'm aware that nitrate levels in the US are still allowed to be high due to some traditional products that need it, but to do that in hot-dogs as proposed by the OP is ridiculous.

Phil