This grilled Italian sausage is beyond easy to make and ready in 10 minutes or less. Never boil or simmer Italian sausage in water. Trust me when I say that grilling it gives it the best texture and flavor.
Italian sausages are great any way you cook them, but they taste even better when they’re cooked on a grill. The skin gets crispy and smokey when they’re cooked this way. They taste great on top of pasta with marinara or piled high on a warm bun with your favorite toppings.
You don’t need anything fancy to make these sausages. Simply place them on the grill, cook, and enjoy. I like to serve these on a submarine roll with sauteed onions, grilled pepper, or fresh sauerkraut.
Grilling sausage on the barbecue is a classic summer activity. When done right, you end up with juicy, plump sausage on the inside with a nice char on the outside. However, it can be easy to overcook sausage on the barbecue, resulting in dried out or even burnt sausages. Follow this simple guide to learn how to barbecue sausages to perfection.
Getting Started
To start, you’ll need:
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Raw sausages – choose your favorite type such as bratwurst Italian sausage, chorizo, kielbasa, etc. Go for sausages in a casing.
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Barbecue with a grill – charcoal or gas grill works. You’ll want direct and indirect heat zones
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BBQ tools – tongs, spatula, temperature probe or instant read thermometer.
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Oil for brushing – use a high smoke point oil like avocado, grapeseed or canola oil.
Preheating the Grill
The first step is properly preheating your barbecue. This is important for evenly cooked sausages.
For a charcoal grill mound the coals to one side, leaving the other side empty. Let the coals get very hot, with a coating of white ash.
For a gas grill, turn all burners to high. After 15 minutes, turn off the burners on one side to create indirect and direct heat zones.
Cooking Over Indirect Heat
The secret to perfectly barbecued sausage is starting the sausages over indirect heat. This allows the sausage to slowly cook from the outside in without burning.
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Place the sausages on the indirect side, not directly over the coals or burners.
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Close the grill lid. The hot air will circulate around the sausage.
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Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This gently cooks the sausage.
Finishing Over Direct Heat
Next, move the sausages over direct heat to finish cooking and get grill marks.
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Transfer the sausages to the direct heat side.
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Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely charred.
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Use tongs to roll the sausages to char on all sides.
Checking for Doneness
The best way to ensure your sausage is fully cooked but not overdone is to use a thermometer.
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Insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the sausage.
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It should reach 160°F for hot sausage and 165°F for poultry sausage.
The sausages are ready when the casing is charred and the inside is hot and juicy!
Serving Suggestions
Barbecued sausage tastes great on its own, but here are some fun serving suggestions:
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Serve on a bun with favorite toppings like mustard, ketchup, relish, grilled peppers and onions.
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Chop and add to pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salads, baked potatoes.
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Slice diagonally and serve with roasted vegetables.
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Add to a breakfast hash with eggs and potatoes.
With this foolproof method, you’ll be able to grill sausage on the barbecue perfectly every time. Enjoy your tasty char-grilled sausages all summer long!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to barbecue sausage?
The best way is to first cook the sausages over indirect heat to gently cook through, then move them over direct heat to char and finish cooking. This prevents burnt, dried out sausages.
How long does it take to grill sausage?
It takes about 10 minutes per side, so approximately 20 minutes total. Thicker sausages may take a little longer.
Should you parboil sausages before grilling?
You don’t need to parboil sausages before barbecuing if using the indirect then direct heat method. Pre-cooking can shorten the grilling time though.
How do I prevent sausage from bursting on the grill?
Poke a few holes in the sausage casing prior to grilling so steam can escape. Also, don’t move the sausages around too much while they cook.
What is the minimum safe internal temperature for sausage?
160°F for pork sausage and 165°F for poultry sausage. Always use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
Can you grill sausage from frozen?
It’s best to thaw sausages in the refrigerator before grilling. Grilling frozen sausage can result in uneven cooking.
What is the best barbecue for sausages?
Any charcoal or gas grill will work. The key is setting up direct and indirect heat zones. An adjustable charcoal grill is ideal.
Tips for Grilling Sausage
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Choose quality fresh sausages, preferably with a natural casing. This holds up better on the grill.
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Use metal skewers to thread sausages together. This makes them easier to maneuver.
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Brush sausages lightly with oil before grilling to prevent sticking.
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Resist poking sausages as they cook. This can cause juices to leak out.
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If flare ups occur from dripping fat, move sausages to indirect side.
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Allow sausages to rest 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
With these handy tips and techniques, you’ll be an expert at grilling up plump, juicy sausages on your barbecue in no time!
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How Long to Grill Italian Sausage
It only takes 8-10 minutes to grill Italian sausage with the grill preheated to 450 degrees F.
When the meat inside the sausage reaches 165 degrees F, you know it’s done. Instead of putting the thermometer near the top, where the juices could leak out, put it in the end of the sausage. Remove the meat from the grill as soon as it hits that final 165 degrees F temperature.
How to Grill Italian Sausage
Believe me when I say it is extremely easy to grill Italian sausage. That being said, I like grilling them more than almost any other way to cook them because it’s easier and the flavor is better. Here’s how to grill Italian sausage.
- Preheat. Turn on the grill. For grilled Italian sausage, I like to use a charcoal grill. Warm the grill up until it’s very hot, about 450 degrees F.
- Grill. Close the grill lid and put the sausages right on the grates. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the sausages over and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the meat reaches 165 degrees F on the inside. You can also put the buns on the grill for the last few minutes while the sausages are cooking to make them a little more crispy.
- Serve. Quickly take the sausage off the grill and enjoy! You can eat them plain with pasta or your favorite dish, or you can put them in buns and top them with your favorite things for a tasty meal.