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How to Cook Sausage

How to Cook Sausage

Krysta
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.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Breakfast, Main Dishes
Servings 4
Calories 369 kcal

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.