The Best Condiments and Toppings for Sausage

Sausage is a versatile protein that can be served in endless ways. From breakfast links to brats at a BBQ sausage shines when paired with complementary condiments and toppings. But with so many options, it can be tricky to narrow down the best condiments to serve with sausage.

In this article we’ll explore the most popular and delicious condiment choices to serve with various types of sausage. Read on for inspiration to take your sausages from boring to spectacular!

Mustard

Mustard is a classic condiment for sausage that comes in many varieties. Yellow mustard, honey mustard, spicy brown mustard, and Dijon all pair well with mild breakfast sausage, hot dogs, and smoked kielbasa. The tanginess of the mustard cuts through the richness of the sausage.

Mustard lovers will also enjoy these tasty combinations:

• Spicy brown mustard with bratwurst
• Honey mustard drizzled over breakfast sausage patties
• Whole grain mustard spread on a smoked sausage sandwich

When serving sausage links or patties, provide an array of mustard options so guests can choose their favorite.

Ketchup

Similar to mustard, ketchup is another traditional topping for many types of sausage. The sweet tomato flavor balances nicely with salty smoked sausages like kielbasa and andouille. It also pairs well with mild Italian sausage and breakfast links.

Some delicious ways to serve sausage with ketchup include:

• Grilled brats topped with ketchup and mustard
• Italian sausage sandwiches with ketchup and provolone cheese
• Breakfast sausage links with ketchup for dipping

For a fun twist, try mixing ketchup with mayo, honey mustard or salsa to create your own unique sausage dipping sauce.

BBQ Sauce

BBQ sauce delivers sweet, tangy and often smoky flavors that complement grilled sausages like kielbasa and chorizo perfectly. The thick consistency also allows it to nicely coat sausages served on buns or sandwiches.

Ways to sauce up your sausage with BBQ goodness:

• Brats smothered in hickory smoked BBQ sauce
• Pulled pork and smoked sausage sandwiches topped with tangy Carolina BBQ sauce
• Little smokies baked in a homemade brown sugar BBQ sauce

Experiment with regional styles like Kansas City, Memphis and Texas BBQ sauces to find your ideal match with different sausage varieties.

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage that has a distinctive sour flavor. It may seem like an unlikely pairing, but sauerkraut provides a pleasant tart and crunchy contrast to hearty sausages like kielbasa, brats and smoked sausage.

Some tasty ways to serve sausages with sauerkraut include:

• Grilled bratwurst served on buns with sauerkraut
• Smoked Polish sausage simmered with sauerkraut
• Nathan’s hot dogs topped with sauerkraut and spicy mustard

Opt for refrigerated varieties over canned sauerkraut, which has a much sharper acidic taste that can overwhelm the sausage.

Caramelized Onions

Onions become incredibly sweet and savory when caramelized slowly over low heat. Heaping a mound of tender, golden caramelized onions on top of a juicy grilled sausage creates flavor magic.

Some sensational ways to serve sausage with caramelized onions:

• Bratwurst smothered in caramelized vidalia onions
• Italian sausage sandwiches with sautéed bell peppers and onions
• Breakfast sausage links topped with creamy onion gravy

Take time to cook the onions low and slow for maximum sweetness. They’re worth the wait!

Cheese

What sausage isn’t improved with gooey, melted cheese? Cheese acts as a rich, creamy condiment that takes sausage to the next level. Popular choices like cheddar, Swiss, provolone and mozzarella all pair wonderfully.

Indulgent sausage and cheese combinations:

• Smoked kielbasa baked with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese
• Italian sausage sandwiches with sautéed peppers, onions and provolone
• Cheesy breakfast sausage casserole with cheddar and eggs

For appetizers, wrap sausages in puff pastry with cheese and bake until golden brown. Irresistible!

Aioli

Aioli is a garlicky mayonnaise spread that can be infused with different herbs and spices. It’s commonly paired with mild sausages like chicken sausage, turkey kielbasa and breakfast links. The creamy aioli cools down spicy flavors.

Ways to serve sausage with aioli:

• Grilled chicken sausage brushed with lemon garlic aioli
• Breakfast sausage patties with chipotle aioli
• Italian sausage sandwiches with pesto aioli spread

Making aioli is easy with an immersion blender. Or substitute by mixing mayo with minced garlic, lemon juice and herbs.

Pickles

Briny, sour pickles like dill pickles, pickled peppers and relish provide brightness and crunch to fatty sausages, like kielbasa and hot dogs. The vinegar also cuts through the richness.

Some tasty pickle and sausage combinations:

• Nathan’s hot dogs with neon relish and spicy mustard
• Reuben sandwiches with corned beef, sauerkraut and Russian dressing
• Polish sausage sandwiches with pickled jalapeños

Even a basic garnish of pickle chips and olives steps up a sausage plate. Don’t overlook pickled veggies!

Peppers

Peppers come in endless varieties, all of which pair wonderfully with sausage. Mix and match sweet bell peppers, spicy chili peppers, tangy pickled peppers and more.

Pepper-packed sausage topping ideas:

• Italian sausage and veggie sandwiches with roasted red peppers
• Andouille sausage jambalaya with sliced jalapeños
• Breakfast sausage links with sautéed bell peppers and onions

The options are endless for mixing and matching various pepper flavors and heat levels.

Onions

Like peppers, onions provide versatility in flavor and texture for sausage toppings. Sautéed, grilled, roasted or caramelized – onions in any form complement sausage beautifully.

Some savory ways to top sausage with onions:

• Smoked kielbasa sandwiches with fried onion tanglers
• Italian sausage pasta sauce with sautéed onions and peppers
• Breakfast sausage patties smothered in golden caramelized onions

Go beyond raw onion slices. Cooked onions retain their crispness but develop rich sweetness.

Salsa

Chunky, vibrant salsa makes sausage come alive with fresh flavor. Tomato-based salsa adds a juicy acidity, while fruit salsas like peach or mango provide sweet relief from spicy sausage.

Tasty ways to salsa up your sausage:

• Breakfast sausage patties topped with peach salsa
• Smoked chorizo nachos loaded with fresh pico de gallo
• Italian sausage sandwiches with zesty avocado salsa

Make your own quick salsa at home by chopping tomatoes, onion, cilantro and lime juice. Jarred salsa works too in a pinch.

Sauces

Convenient store-bought sauces like A1, sweet & sour sauce, chimichurri and teriyaki are all simple ways to infuse sausages with bolder flavor. Brush on these sauces during grilling or serve them alongside sausages.

Fun sauce and sausage combinations:

• Bratwurst glazed with a tangy brown sugar barbecue sauce
• Grilled smoked sausage brushed with teriyaki sauce
• Sheet pan italian sausages roasted in chimichurri sauce
• Juicy andouille sausage smothered in A1 sauce

Final Thoughts

The right condiments and toppings can transform ordinary sausage into an extraordinary experience. Mustard, ketchup, pickles, peppers and melty cheese are all classic choices. Or get adventurous with caramelized onions, salsa and zesty aioli.

The next time you make sausages, take a few extra minutes to mix and match toppings and condiments until you discover your perfect flavor combinations. Your efforts will be rewarded with sensational sausage!