Wondering how to cook sausage? Fresh sausage is easy to cook – you can grill them, bake them in the oven, or cook them in a skillet on the stove top. We describe each method in detail so your sausages will turn out perfectly no matter which way you choose.
How to Cook Sausage
Wondering how to cook sausage? Fresh sausage is easy to cook – you can grill them, bake them in the oven, or cook them in a skillet on the stove top. We describe each method in detail so your sausages will turn out perfectly no matter which way you choose.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh sausage links such as bratwurst, Italian sausage, or kielbasa
Instructions
Grill
- Preheat a gas grill to medium-high (400 degrees F to 450 degrees F (200 degrees C to 230 degrees C)) on 1 side, or push hot coals to 1 side of a charcoal grill. Place sausage links on the oiled grates over the unlit side of grill.
- Cover and grill until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of sausage registers 150 degrees F (66 degrees C), 8 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through cook time.
- Move sausage to the lit side of grill; grill, uncovered, turning once halfway through, until browned and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of sausage registers 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), 1 to 2 minutes. Serve as desired.
Oven
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Arrange sausage links in an even layer, with at least 1-inch in between each link, on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion registers 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 20 minutes. Serve as desired.
Skillet
- Place sausage links in an even layer, with at least 1-inch in between each link in a medium, high-sided skillet with about 1/4-inch water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium to maintain a simmer; cover and cook, undisturbed, until a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of sausage registers about 130 degrees F (54 degrees C), 6 to 8 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high, uncover and cook, turning occasionally, until water is evaporated, sausages are brown, and a thermometer inserted into thickest portion of sausage registers 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), about 8 minutes. Serve as desired.
