How to Cook Sausage (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to cook sausage? ›

Uncooked sausages that contain ground beef, pork, lamb or veal should be cooked to 160 °F. Uncooked sausages that contain ground turkey and chicken should be cooked to 165 °F. For more information go to Sausages and Food Safety.

One of the healthiest ways to cook sausages is in the oven. It's super easy to do, and unlike frying or grilling, baking sausages doesn't require any extra oil.

Overall, pan-frying was a low-maintenance and delicious method for cooking sausage. This is perfect for when you don't want to break out the grill but still want a moist, flavorful sausage. The smoky flavors were not as prominent as they were from the grill, however the sausage remained juicy, tender, and crispy.

Remove the sausage meat from the packaging. Preheat your oven to 200°C for fan assisted or 210°C for ovens without a fan. Place onto a roasting tin in the centre of the oven. Roast for 30 minutes until the stuffing has a golden crust & thoroughly cooked to a minimum of 72°C.

For commercially made sausages, a slight pink hue can be normal, even when the sausage is fully cooked. This can be due to the preservatives used, such as sodium nitrite, which can cause the meat to retain a pink color. The key indicator of doneness should always be the internal temperature, not the color.

For ovens set at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, cook your sausage links for a minimum of 25 minutes, turning each piece at 10-minute intervals, and keep in mind that larger links can take at least an hour to cook through completely. If you need to program your oven for hotter, the sausages will cook a bit faster.

Simply put, fresh sausage is raw and uncooked, making it great as an ingredient, but you'll need to cook it yourself. Smoked sausage is fully cooked, so you can eat it as is. In other words, you don't need to cook smoked sausage for it to be safe for consumption, though you can if you prefer your sausage warmed up.

Sausages can be cooked in numerous ways. In general, boiling and baking are the healthiest methods, as they don't require much oil. However, pan- and stir-frying are good options as long as you choose a healthy oil. Conversely, deep frying is the least healthy way because of the fat and calories it adds.

Allow the water to boil away or pour it off. Then fry for 3–5 minutes. A bit of oil or butter can be added, if needed. This short frying process will tenderize the natural casing and improve the flavor.

Can you cook sausages in a pan without oil? ›

You don't necessarily need oil to cook sausages, as they contain their own fat, which can be released during cooking. However, using a small amount of oil in the pan can help prevent sticking and provide a crispy outer texture to the sausages.

Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, then add the sausages. A little of the fat from the sausages will start to come out as they warm up; turn the sausages in the hot fat to coat them. Keep cooking for 15-20 mins, moving them around in the pan and turning them over regularly so they all cook evenly.

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your sausage is between 160 and 165 °F (71 and 74 °C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, check that the sausage is firm and has clear, runny juices. Cut it open and make sure the inside is brown, not pink.

Use a heavy based non-stick frying pan, place on a low to medium heat. Then swirl around until the base is fully coated then tip away any excess fat. Turning them regularly ensures the sausages get a rich golden colour. Jeff recommends 10 to 12 minutes for a traditional thick sausage.

You can use regular tap water to boil your sausages, but this can render the meat a bit flavourless. To add a bit more flavour, try boiling the sausages in chicken or vegetable stock or even water mixed with wine.

The secret of frying is to cook the sausages slowly over a low to medium heat, until just cooked through, while getting a nice brown on the outside. For a fat snag this may take up to 45 minutes.