Nothing says weekend breakfast quite like delicious smoked sausage alongside some eggs, toast, or maybe even pancakes. Or, maybe you’re wondering how to cook smoked sausages for a party you’re hosting - either way, we’re here to help.
Discover the best way to cook smoked sausage below, including:
- How to cook smoked sausages in oven
- How to cook smoked sausages in air fryer
- How to cook smoked sausages in skillet
- How to grill smoked sausage
- How to boil smoked sausage
We’ll cover the proper smoked sausage cook time for each of these methods along with serving suggestions to help you make the most of mealtime.
But if you don’t already have your sausage on hand, look no further. Our smoked sausages are smoked using methods we’ve perfected over the past century, so you can rest assured you’re getting the quality you deserve.
Because we’ve already smoked them, you can have them ready to enjoy in just a few minutes! From breakfast sausage to kielbasa, knackwurst, and more, find your new favorite today.
Do You Have to Cook Smoked Sausage?
First things first - do you have to cook smoked sausage? It depends. When you order from Mahogany Smoked Meats you aren’t technically “cooking” them, but rather, heating them up.
In other cases, though, you may be dealing with sausages that have been smoked just to impart flavor, not to actually cook the meat to a safe edible temperature. Distinguishing between the two styles is essential to avoid foodborne illness from consuming raw meat.
To determine if your smoked sausage is fully cooked, check the packaging for terms like “ready to eat,” “fully cooked,” or specific instructions on cooking times. If in doubt, treat the sausage as uncooked and cook it to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it is safe to eat.
What’s the Best Way to Cook Smoked Sausage? How to Cook Smoked Sausages 5 Different Ways
There are so many options you can choose from - roasting in the oven, searing on a skillet, or even throwing them in an air fryer for the ultimate convenience. What’s the best way to cook smoked sausages, though?
We’ll walk you through 5 different methods you can try below, each of which has its place. Let’s start with how to cook smoked sausages in oven.
How to Cook Smoked Sausages in Oven
The oven provides consistent heat, which ensures the sausage cooks evenly. It’s also highly convenient as you can simply set the temperature and a timer and go about your day, preparing sides or entertaining guests.
You’ll also love the nice, caramelized crust that forms on the sausage to enhance its smoky flavor. This method is particularly well suited for large batches as well as you can cook a ton of sausages simultaneously. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. Lightly oil the surface if desired to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the Sausages: Place the smoked sausages on the baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced out and not touching. This allows the heat to circulate evenly.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the sausages for about 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time. This ensures even browning on all sides.
- Check for Doneness: The sausages should be golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside. An internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) indicates they are fully heated.
- Serve: Remove the sausages from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
How to Cook Smoked Sausage in Air Fryer
Now, maybe you want to learn how to cook smoked sausage in air fryer - who could blame you? It’s fast and effective. You don’t need to use any oil, either, which reduces the fat content of your sausages. Plus, you’ll get a nice crispy exterior while the inside of the sausage stays juicy. Here’s how to cook smoked sausage in air fryer:
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Arrange the Sausages: Place the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking.
- Cook: Air fry the sausages for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time. This helps achieve an even crispness.
- Check for Doneness: The sausages should have a crispy exterior and be heated through. An internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) is ideal.
- Serve: Carefully remove the sausages from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
How to Cook Smoked Sausages in Skillet
Cooking smoked sausages in a skillet brings out the most caramelization as you’re getting more direct contact with heat. It’s fast, too.
This also puts you in control of the cooking process since it’s more hands-on than other methods, which means you can adjust the heat as needed and pull the sausages off at the perfect time.
You can easily add other ingredients to the skillet, such as onions and peppers, to cook alongside the sausage. The only drawback is you need to stay over the skillet to prevent burning the exterior of the sausage. Here’s our advice:
- Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
- Add the Sausages: Once the skillet is hot, add the smoked sausages. Ensure they are spaced out evenly.
- Cook: Cook the sausages for about 10-12 minutes, turning them frequently to brown all sides. Adjust the heat as necessary to avoid burning.
- Check for Doneness: The sausages should be well-browned and heated through. An internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) ensures they are ready.
- Serve: Remove the sausages from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
How to Boil Smoked Sausages
Want to preserve as much moisture as possible? Boiling smoked sausages is going to be your best bet. It’s a gentle method that helps prevent the sausage from drying out.
However, the boiling process can sometimes remove the flavor you love, which is why it’s not our personal favorite approach. Still, we want to give you the choice:
- Prepare the Pot: Choose a large pot that can comfortably fit all your sausages with enough space for water or broth to cover them completely.
- Add Liquid: Fill the pot with enough water or broth to cover the sausages. You can also add beer, herbs, and spices like bay leaves, garlic cloves, or peppercorns to enhance the flavor.
- Bring to a Boil: Place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring the liquid to a boil.
- Add the Sausages: Once the liquid is boiling, carefully add the smoked sausages to the pot.
- Reduce Heat and Simmer: After adding the sausages, reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer the sausages for about 10-15 minutes, depending on their size. Ensure they are heated through and have an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Check for Doneness: The sausages should be plump and heated through. If you used a meat thermometer, confirm they have reached 160°F (71°C).
- Serve: Carefully remove the sausages from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
How to Grill Smoked Sausage
Last but not least, you can consider learning how to grill smoked sausage. This approach imparts an extra layer of smoky flavor, complementing the sausage’s original smokiness.
It also contributes to a nice charred, crispy exterior. It’s perfect for outdoor barbecues and other gatherings because you can still hang out with your guests while cooking. Here’s the step-by-step process to ensure best results:
- Preheat the Grill: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, about 350°F to 400°F (175°C to 200°C).
- Prepare the Sausages: Place the sausages directly on the grill grates. Optionally, you can brush them lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking and enhance browning.
- Grill: Cook the sausages for 10-15 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even grilling and to prevent burning.
- Check for Doneness: The sausages should be charred in spots and fully heated through. An internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) is ideal.
- Serve: Remove the sausages from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Quick Tips on How to Cook Smoked Sausages Regardless of Method
No matter which of these you deem to be the best way to cook smoked sausages, we want to offer some general advice to ensure the perfect end result:
- Monitor Temperature: Always check the internal temperature of the sausages to ensure they are heated to at least 160°F (71°C).
- Avoid Overcooking: Overcooking can dry out the sausages. Remove them from the heat as soon as they reach the desired temperature. The smoked sausage cook time cannot be taken lightly.
- Resting: Allow the sausages to rest for a few minutes after cooking so they retain their juices and you get to enjoy the full flavor as it was intended.
Serving Suggestions for Smoked Sausages
There you have it, the best way to cook smoked sausages and tips on how to cook smoked sausages in general. Maybe you want to enjoy them on your own, there’s nothing wrong with that since they’re so tasty! But for the best experience, consider these pairings:
- Mashed Potatoes: A classic side that complements the smoky flavor of the sausages. Add garlic or cheese to your mash for an extra flavor boost.
- Sauerkraut: The tangy and slightly sweet flavor pairs beautifully with smoked sausages. This combination is a staple in German cuisine.
- Coleslaw: Adds a nice crunch and balance to the richness of the sausages. Opt for a vinegar-based coleslaw for a tangy contrast or a creamy version for a smoother palate.
- Rice Pilaf: Fluffy rice pilaf with herbs and spices makes for a flavorful and light side dish. It absorbs the juices from the sausages, enhancing the overall taste.
- Quinoa Salad: A healthy quinoa salad with fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette adds a nutritious and vibrant element to your meal.
- Green Beans: Steamed or sautéed green beans with a touch of garlic and olive oil provide a crisp and fresh complement to the sausages.
- Crusty Bread: Serve your smoked sausages with a slice of crusty artisan bread to soak up the delicious juices. This is perfect for a casual, rustic meal.
- Hot Dog Buns: For a more traditional approach, place the sausages in hot dog buns and top with your favorite condiments like mustard, ketchup, and relish.
- Pretzel Rolls: For a unique twist, use pretzel rolls. Their slightly salty and chewy texture pairs excellently with the smoky sausages.
Don’t forget to try a variety of condiments as well - from mustard to barbecue sauce, aioli, or anything in between. Each of these can enhance the flavor in its own unique way.
But whether you’re trying to enjoy eggs and sausage for breakfast or you’re trying to put out some flavor-packed appetizers for a party, starting with the right sausage is an essential first step. That’s why we encourage you to order the best in the business at Mahogany today.
Cooking Smoked Sausage is Quick and Easy With Mahogany Smoked Meats!
From breakfast spreads to charcuterie boards, sandwiches, or anything in between, we’re proud to be known as the #1 choice online for pre-smoked sausages that you simply heat and enjoy.
We’ve been smoking meats since 1922 using a unique method involving mahogany lumber in a deep pit and a long, slow-smoking process that brings out the best in the meat. Here are our most popular varieties:
- Breakfast sausage
- Spicy kielbasa (and regular kielbasa)
- Thuranger summer sausage
- Ring bologna
- Knackwurst
Each has its place, and we invite you to try them all and see which is your favorite! We don’t just have smoked sausages in store for you either. You can round out mealtime with all your favorite varieties, including:
- Smoked pork chops for sale
- Bone in ham for sale
- Ham steaks for sale
- Smoked turkey for sale
- Smoked bacon for sale
- Smoked boneless ham for sale
- Canadian bacon for sale
We even have premium jerky, whether you want to buy beef jerky online or explore something more exotic like our fish jerky for sale or elk jerky for sale.
No matter what you buy, you can trust that you’re getting a tasty, tender product backed by more than 100 years of experience. With a satisfaction guarantee, you don’t have to take our word for it though. See what keeps our customers coming back for more today!
Final Thoughts on the Best Way to Cook Smoked Sausages
That concludes our guide on how to cook smoked sausages, whether you want to use the oven, air fryer, skillet, grill, or boil them.
Each method offers a unique flavor and texture, allowing you to enjoy smoked sausages in multiple styles. Adhere to the optimal smoked sausage cook time, pair with the right sides, and you’re in for a treat!
We have similar resources like how to cook already smoked pork chops, how to cook a boneless smoked ham, how to cook smoked ham steaks, how to reheat a smoked turkey, how to cook a bone in smoked ham, and how long is smoked turkey good for in our blog.
But at this point it’s time to start putting what you’ve learned into practice and cook your smoked sausages using one of the methods above.
If you still need your sausages, though, remember that Mahogany Smoked Meats has the premier selection to make your life easier while impressing any guests with tasty, juicy smoked sausages.
Explore our catalog and see for yourself what keeps our customers coming back for more!
