Hot Dogs During Pregnancy: How to Heat Them Safely

The short answer: You can eat hot dogs while pregnant if they are heated to 165°F or until steaming hot right before you eat them. The CDC lists unheated hot dogs as a riskier choice during pregnancy, and the FDA advises not eating hot dogs unless they are reheated until steaming hot.

Why are hot dogs a concern during pregnancy?

The concern is Listeria. The FDA explains that Listeria can grow at refrigerator temperatures, and the CDC notes that it can spread in food-processing facilities and is killed by heating. That is why the pregnancy guidance is to heat ready-to-eat meats such as hot dogs again before eating, even though they are sold ready to eat.

The same rule covers deli meat, cold cuts, and dry sausages. Our deli meat guide covers sandwiches and cold cuts.

How should I cook hot dogs when pregnant?

Any method works if the center gets hot:

• Boil or simmer until the hot dog is steaming hot all the way through.
• Grill or pan-fry, turning until heated through, not just browned on the outside.
• Microwave, then check the middle before eating.

A food thermometer gives the clearest answer: 165°F in the center. Eat it soon after heating; a hot dog that has cooled on a party table is no longer "just heated."

Are ballpark or restaurant hot dogs OK?

They can be. Ask whether hot dogs are grilled or heated to order, and choose one that is steaming hot when served. A hot dog that has been sitting in lukewarm water, or that is warm rather than hot, does not clearly meet the CDC's steaming-hot guidance.

Can you eat corn dogs while pregnant?

Yes, when the hot dog inside is heated through. Frozen corn dogs should be cooked following the package directions until the center is 165°F or steaming hot. Check the middle, not only the batter.

Is it OK to eat hot dogs in every trimester?

The CDC's pregnancy food chart does not change by trimester. The same reheating guidance applies in the first, second, and third trimesters.

What happens if I ate a cold hot dog while pregnant?

Pay attention to symptoms. For Listeria, the CDC says pregnant women should call the doctor right away if they have a fever and feel more tired and achy than usual. CDC's symptom table lists about 2 weeks as when Listeria symptoms usually start, so tell your prenatal care team what you ate and when.

Common questions

What hot dogs can you eat while pregnant?

Any kind, including beef, pork, turkey, and chicken hot dogs, frankfurters, and wieners, once it is heated to 165°F or until steaming hot right before you eat it. CDC's chart covers hot dogs as a group, so a brand or an "all-beef" or "uncured" label does not replace heating. The same rule covers pepperoni and salami.

Do I need to heat turkey or chicken hot dogs?

Yes. The CDC's guidance covers hot dogs generally, not only beef or pork.

Is a hot dog with chili or sauerkraut different?

The toppings do not change the rule for the hot dog itself: heat it until steaming hot. Keep any cold toppings refrigerated until serving.

Sources: CDC safer food choices for pregnant women, FDA ready-to-eat foods for moms-to-be, CDC how Listeria spreads, and CDC food-poisoning symptoms. This guide is educational and does not replace prenatal care.