Buzz
Everyone has their favorite way to cook sausage, whether it’s boiling, frying, grilling, or baking. Once prepared, sausages can be enjoyed with mustard and ketchup or paired with onions, pickles, and other ingredients. Below is a guide on grilling sausages on a rack, baking them in an oven, steaming them in a microwave, or boiling them on a stovetop.
- Preparation time: 13-17 minutes
- Cooking time (grilling): 2-3 minutes
- Total time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients
- Sausage
- Condiments, such as ketchup, mustard, pickles, and Ranch dressing
- Toppings, such as diced onions, peppers, shredded cheese, lettuce, chili sauce, or tomato sauce
Steps
Grilled Sausage on a Rack
Prepare the grill. Grilling imparts a smoky flavor and is considered one of the best ways to cook sausages. You can use any type of grill, whether charcoal, gas, or wood-fired.
- While the grill is heating up, prepare the sausages and accompanying condiments. Sausages taste best when enjoyed hot off the grill.
- Ensure one side of the grill is hot while the other side is slightly cooler. You can pile more charcoal on one side. For gas grills, adjust the knobs to maintain a medium flame for perfect grilling.
Place the sausages on the cooler side of the grill. Arrange them at an angle to create diagonal grill marks across the sausages.
Grill the sausages for about 1 minute per side. Since sausages are pre-cooked, you only need to heat them through and achieve an appealing color without burning them.
- Flip them frequently until they are evenly charred and visually appealing.
- If the sausages are hot but lack a slight char, move them to the hotter side of the grill. Quickly sear them to create grill marks, then transfer to a plate.
Enjoy the sausages. Serve them in a bun with condiments like mustard, ketchup, pickles, onions, tomatoes, cheese, or sauerkraut.
Boiling Sausages
Fill a large pot with enough water to submerge the sausages. Approximately 4 cups (1 liter) of water should suffice for 4 sausages. Use a pot large enough to leave a few centimeters of space below the rim.
Bring the water to a boil. Place the pot on the stove and heat the water over high heat until it reaches a rolling boil. Ensure the water is fully boiling before adding the sausages.
Add the sausages to the boiling water. Once the water is boiling, use tongs to carefully place each sausage into the pot.
Boil the sausages. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 3-6 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness.
- For softer and juicier sausages, boil for about 3-4 minutes.
- If you prefer firmer sausages, extend the boiling time to 5-6 minutes.
Remove the sausages and enjoy. Take the boiled sausages out of the pot and pat them dry with a paper towel before placing them in a bun. Serve with condiments like mustard, ketchup, onions, pickles, tomatoes, cheese, and sauerkraut.
Steaming Sausages in the Microwave
Place the sausages in a microwave-safe bowl. Use a plastic or glass bowl, avoiding metal containers. Ensure the bowl is deep enough to hold multiple sausages.
Add water to cover the sausages. Since water may spill, leave about 2.5 cm of space below the rim of the bowl.
Steam the sausages. Place the bowl in the microwave. Close the door and steam the sausages on high for about 2-3 minutes. Larger sausages may require additional time.
Remove the sausages from the microwave and drain the water. After taking them out, the sausages will be very hot, so let them cool and drain for about 30 seconds.
Enjoy the sausages. Place the cooled sausages in a bun and savor them. This method is ideal for busy individuals and pairs perfectly with mustard and ketchup.
Oven-Baked Sausages
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Oven-baked sausages develop a darker outer layer while remaining tender and juicy inside. They offer a flavor similar to grilling without the need for extensive grill preparation.
Slice the sausages lengthwise. Use a sharp knife to make a straight cut along the middle of each sausage. Avoid cutting them completely in half; just create a slit to allow steam to escape during baking.
Place the sausages on a baking tray or roasting pan. Since sausages release juices, lining the tray with foil makes cleanup easier.
Bake the sausages for about 15 minutes. Place the tray in the oven. Bake until the outer skin turns brown and the sausages slightly shrink.
- For a crispier and browner exterior, use the Broiler setting.
- Add cheese to the tray and bake for an additional minute if desired.
Enjoy the sausages. Carefully remove the sausages from the oven and place them in a bun. Oven-baked sausages taste best with chili and cheese. Sprinkle chili and cheese over the sausages and use a fork for easier eating.
Pan-Fried Sausages
Slice the sausages. While you can fry whole sausages, cutting them into bite-sized pieces yields a crispier and more flavorful result. Prepare 2 or 3 sausages and slice them into smaller pieces for frying.
Heat oil in a pan. Place the pan on the stove and heat over medium flame. Add enough oil to cover about 0.5-1 cm of the pan. Wait until the oil is fully heated. To test if the oil is ready, drop a small breadcrumb into it. If it sizzles and the oil splatters, the oil is hot enough.
Add the sausages to the pan. Be cautious as the sausages may splatter when placed in the hot oil. Arrange them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
Flip the sausages. Use tongs to turn the sausages after 1-2 minutes, once one side is crispy and browned. Continue frying for another 1-2 minutes until they reach your desired texture.
- Note that sausages are pre-cooked, so you can adjust the cooking time to your preference without worrying about them being undercooked.
Drain the oil. Use tongs to transfer the sausages to a plate lined with paper towels. Let them cool and drain excess oil.
Enjoy the sausages. Pan-fried sausages pair well with chili, fried onions, macaroni and cheese, or simply with ketchup and mustard.
Tips
- Adjust cooking times based on your desired level of doneness and texture for the sausages.
- Make a 1.5 cm deep slit along the sausage before microwaving to prevent steam buildup inside.
Warnings
- Be cautious when grilling sausages over a campfire. Use skewers and avoid burns. Children should always be supervised by adults when grilling sausages.
