How to Cook Sausage Links
Cooking up a hearty pot of soup or using ground sausage in my marinara sauce are always go-to meals when I am craving something flavorful and easy. Sausage is so versatile and can be prepared in a variety of dishes and prepared in so many different ways.
When I think of sausage links, I always think of long strings of sausages hanging from the ceiling at a local butcher shop or behind the meat counter.
In reality, most of the time that I buy sausage links, they are wrapped in butcher paper or plastic wrap and sitting in the coolers in the meat section at my local grocery store.
There is something really nostalgic and classic about sausage links that brings up great memories and nostalgia for me.
What are sausage links ?
Sausage links are typically made with seasoned meat that has been ground up and filled inside of a casing.
When the links are made they are typically tied at certain intervals to create links.
You can find all types of different sausages like italian sausage, polish sausage, spicy sausage, pork sausage, chicken sausage, and more.
While sausages are made in many forms you can usually prepare sausages the same way by boiling them in a pot of water on the stovetop, grilling them on the grill, sautéing them on a skillet, or even roasting the links in the oven.
You will want to cook your sausage at whatever internal temperature is appropriate for that specific type of meat.
How to serve sausage links
- Serving sausage links is one of the most versatile meats you can plan around, and can be the main part of a complete meal.
- You can keep them simple and serve the links in a bun with whatever condiments you enjoy.
- You can cut the sausage into one inch slices and sauté them in a skillet with some of your favorite vegetables such as bell peppers and onions. Then serve them on a hoagie roll topped with cheese.
- Italian sausage is great when removed from its casing and browned on the stovetop. Then they can be mixed with some marinara sauce and served over pasta.
- You can serve breakfast sausage links in a sandwich, or alongside some eggs and toast for a classic easy breakfast.
- Sausage is great on pizza, in a stew, soup, or even served inside a casserole.
- You truly will never run out of options when you are using sausage.
What are the different types of sausages?
- Pork Sausage – The majority of sausages that are made are typically made from pork. Ground pork is often used from many different parts of the pig.
- Breakfast Sausage – This sausage is typically made using sage, maple, or fennel seeds to give it a distinct flavor.
- Italian Sausage – Italian sausage links are usually seasoned with classic Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, which gives depth to sauces or soups.
- Chicken Sausage – Ground chicken is used in this sausage variation and is a great choice for a leaner or more neutral flavor.
- Beef Sausages – Using ground beef, this variation is great for stews or with potatoes and sauerkraut, adding a really great richness to the meal.
- Hot Sausage – This variation usually has chili flakes or chili powder and other spices that make this sausage spicy.
Tips for cooking sausage links
- Like previously stated, delicious sausages can be cooked in a variety of ways. Depending on the meal you are making, you may want to boil them like hot dogs, sauté, bake, or slow cook your sausage.
- If you want to use your sausage in a skillet, kebob, sauce, or a ground meat option, you should cook your sausage links on the stove top in a non-stick skillet, frying pan, or cast-iron skillet. You can cook the sausage whole, diced, sliced or removed from the casing over medium heat until the outside is nice and crisp and the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F for pork, beef, lamb or veal. The temperature should be 165 degrees F for chicken when checked with a meat thermometer. Use tongs to turn the meat.
- When using sausage for a baking sheet dinner or casserole, you will want to cook the sausage in the oven either sliced or whole. Place either parchment paper or aluminum foil on the bottom of the pan to avoid a mess on your pan first. Bake it at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the sausage is cooked all the way through and has reached the correct internal temperature. Bake for an extra minute or two if it is not the correct temperature.
- Crockpot and instant pot dinners are a quick and easy way to cook sausage if you are making a soup or a stew and you don’t have a lot of time to get dinner on the table.
- Sausage links can also be cooked on your charcoal grill or gas grill. The best method is to grill it on each side for a couple of minutes or until charred. Turn it with your grilling tongs. Make sure it has an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Cook it a little bit longer if it’s not at the right temperature, because you want to avoid food poisoning.
How to cook sausage links in 3 simple steps
- Boil Water– Bring a pan of water to a boil on the stovetop.
- Cook the Sausage– Add the fresh sausage to the boiling water and cook for 10 minutes.
- Enjoy– Remove the cooked sausage from the boiling water and enjoy!
How do you store leftover sausage?
- You can store any leftover sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure that the sausage is at room temperature before storing.
- Freezing sausage is best when the sausage is left inside their casings and has not already been cooked.
- Just place sausage links in saran wrap and store in a zip lock bag or airtight container in the freezer for several months.
- When you are ready to use the leftover sausage, you can reheat it in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate and cover the sausage with a wet paper towel. Cook for 20-30 seconds.
- You can also warm up the sausage in the oven at 250 degrees F for about 30 minutes in a shallow baking pan until warmed through.
- If you are using the sausage links from the freezer, make sure you allow the meat to thaw completely before cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Sausages can be ready in under 20 minutes when boiled, 25-30 minutes in the oven, or 10-12 minutes on the stovetop.
It really depends on the type of sausage you are using and the method in which the sausage is being prepared.
If you are using other ingredients like potatoes or vegetables that need longer to cook, then your cooking time may vary.
When you are cooking sausage in a skillet, you want to make sure that the skillet you are using is either non-stick or a cast iron skillet.
You will want to warm the skillet over medium heat to start, and cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until cooked all the way through.
Since sausages contain fat, it is not necessary to add oil or butter to the pan, since the sausages will start to create grease when cooking.
How to Cook Sausage Links Recipe
How to Cook Sausage Links Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pot
Ingredients
- 1 sharp knife
- 2 lbs sausage links
Instructions
- Boil Water– Bring a pan of water to a boil on the stovetop.
- Cook the Sausage– Add the fresh sausage to the boiling water and cook for 10 minutes.
- Enjoy– Remove the cooked sausage from the boiling water and enjoy!
Notes
- Like previously stated, delicious sausages can be cooked in a variety of ways. Depending on the meal you are making, you may want to boil them like hot dogs, sauté, bake, or slow cook your sausage.
- If you want to use your sausage in a skillet, kebob, sauce, or a ground meat option, you should cook your sausage links on the stove top in a non-stick skillet, frying pan, or cast-iron skillet. You can cook the sausage whole, diced, sliced or removed from the casing over medium heat until the outside is nice and crisp and the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F for pork, beef, lamb or veal. The temperature should be 165 degrees F for chicken when checked with a meat thermometer. Use tongs to turn the meat.
- When using sausage for a baking sheet dinner or casserole, you will want to cook the sausage in the oven either sliced or whole. Place either parchment paper or aluminum foil on the bottom of the pan to avoid a mess on your pan first. Bake it at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the sausage is cooked all the way through and has reached the correct internal temperature. Bake for an extra minute or two if it is not the correct temperature.
- Crockpot and instant pot dinners are a quick and easy way to cook sausage if you are making a soup or a stew and you don’t have a lot of time to get dinner on the table.
- Sausage links can also be cooked on your charcoal grill or gas grill. The best method is to grill it on each side for a couple of minutes or until charred. Turn it with your grilling tongs. Make sure it has an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Cook it a little bit longer if it’s not at the right temperature, because you want to avoid food poisoning.
