As a busy home cook I’m always looking for ways to prepare meals faster without sacrificing taste or safety. Sometimes that means turning to my microwave to rapidly cook certain items that traditionally require longer cooking times. One food that often comes up is uncooked sausage – but can you actually microwave raw sausage straight from the package?

I did some research to find out if microwaving uncooked sausage is advisable and the best practices for quick microwave sausage prep. Here’s what I discovered.

Is It Safe To Microwave Uncooked Sausage?

First and foremost yes it is technically safe to microwave uncooked sausages both raw pork sausage as well as raw turkey or chicken sausage. However, there are a few precautions to take.

The main safety concern with microwaving any raw meat or poultry is ensuring it reaches a high internal temperature to kill potential bacteria. Sausage needs to reach 160°F minimum internal temperature, same as if you cooked it in a skillet or oven.

With the microwave’s rapid cooking power, you must closely monitor sausage doneness and use a food thermometer to verify temperature. This prevents accidentally undercooking.

Additionally, raw sausage can spatter grease when microwaved, so protect your microwave interior by covering sausages and use microwave-safe dishes.

Tips For Microwaving Raw Sausage

Follow these tips for safely microwaving uncooked sausage:

• Prick sausages several times with a fork prior to cooking so steam can escape rather than bursting the sausage.

• Arrange in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate to allow even cooking. Don’t overcrowd.

• Cover sausages with a paper towel or vented plastic wrap. This contains spatter while allowing ventilation.

• Microwave in short 1-2 minute intervals on high power, flipping halfway through. Check temperature between batches.

• Let sausage rest 1-2 minutes after microwaving before eating. Carryover cooking will finish it.

• Wipe down the microwave interior afterwards to remove grease.

How Long To Microwave Uncooked Sausage

Microwaving brings raw sausage from refrigerated temperature to steaming hot incredibly fast. The timing depends on:

• Number of sausages – More sausages = longer cook time
• Size/thickness – Larger diameter sausages need more time
• Power of your microwave – Higher wattage equals faster cooking

As a general guideline, microwave on high for 1-2 minutes per average sized raw sausage. Check for doneness after this time.

A food thermometer inserted into sausages should read 160°F minimum before removing from microwave. Add more 30 second intervals if needed to reach food safe temperature.

For pre-cooked smoked sausage, simply heat through until steaming hot, 1-2 minutes.

Microwaving Sausage As Part of a Dish

You can also microwave raw sausage as part of casseroles, pasta dishes, eggs, pizza and more. Follow recipe instructions for microwave timing and temperature.

For example, microwaving a breakfast sandwich with sausage patty and egg may take 2-3 minutes to heat both components to a safe temperature.

If microwaving a raw sausage ingredient in a recipe, always check internal temperature with a thermometer before serving.

Tips for Better Flavor & Texture

Microwaving sausage is fast, but the texture and taste are definitely best when cooked in a skillet or oven. For improved flavor and mouthfeel after microwaving raw sausage, try these tweaks:

• Brown the sausages in a hot skillet after microwaving to get crispy, caramelized exterior

• Bake or pan-fry pre-cooked smoked sausage to recreate crispy casing

• Add spice rubs or chopped onion/pepper to raw sausage prior to microwaving for more flavor

• Grill or broil microwaved sausage to get char marks and smoky flavor

• Drop raw sausage in simmering pasta sauce, soup or chili to cook through

Sausage Variety Cooking Times

Here are some general guidelines for microwaving various types of raw sausage:

• Pork breakfast sausage – 1-2 mins per link
• Turkey breakfast sausage – 1-2 mins per link
• Italian sausage links – 1-2 mins per link
• Bratwurst – 2-3 mins per brat
• Chorizo sausage – 2-3 mins for 4 oz
• Andouille sausage – 2-3 mins for 4 oz

Always verify 165°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer for food safety.

Microwaving Uncooked Sausage Recipes

To give you some recipe inspiration, here are a few dishes you can make incorporating microwaved raw sausage:

• Breakfast sandwiches – Sausage patty, egg, cheese on English muffin
• Breakfast burritos – Eggs, sausage, potato, cheese wrapped in tortilla
• Pasta with sausage – Toss cooked pasta with crumbled browned sausage
• Sausage gravy – Make a quick gravy with microwaved sausage, flour, milk
• Pizza – Top pizza dough with sauce, microwaved sausage, veggies, cheese
• Sausage & pepper sheet pan – Roast veggies and sausage together
• Gumbo – Add chopped andouille to microwaved roux and broth
• Jambalaya – Combine microwaved sausage with rice, chicken, shrimp, veggies

The options are endless for incorporating quickly microwaved sausage in all types of cuisine.

Is It Worth Microwaving Uncooked Sausage?

At the end of the day, microwaving uncooked sausage is convenient, but not exactly the tastiest preparation. If you have time, pan-frying, baking or grilling sausage generally produces superior texture and flavor. But for a fast weeknight dinner or quick breakfast, microwaving sausage can definitely get the job done.

Just be sure to follow temperature and safety precautions. With the proper technique, microwaving raw sausage can be an acceptable shortcut to save you time in the kitchen. Give it a try on your next hurried cook day!

How to Cook Sausages Perfectly in the Microwave

As a busy professional and parent, I’m always looking for quick methods to put dinner on the table. Though the microwave often gets a bad rap for sacrificing flavor and quality, it can actually produce delicious results with a bit of finesse. One food I’ve successfully learned to “nuke” is sausages – when done right, you can make perfect sausages in the microwave!

Below I’ll go through my simple process for microwaving sausages so they turn out juicy and flavorful every time.

Benefits of Microwaving Sausages

While pan-frying or grilling over an open flame are the ultimate cooking methods for ideal char and caramelization, the microwave does offer some advantages:

• Speed – Sausages can be ready start to finish in 5-10 minutes max
• Convenience – No need to dirty extra pans and easy cleanup
• Versatility – Can microwave nearly any sausage variety

So if you’re short on time, microwaving sausages can be a life saver to get food on the table fast.

Step 1 – Prep the Sausages

Proper prep is key for evenly cooked sausages:

• If connected in a pack, separate sausages using kitchen shears
• Prick sausages in several places using a fork
• This allows steam to release during cooking rather than bursting the skin

Step 2 – Arrange in Microwave-Safe Dish

Next, lay the sausages in a dish suitable for the microwave:

• Place in a single layer in a microwave-safe baking dish
• Do not overcrowd – leave space between sausages
• This allows for even cooking and heating

Step 3 – Cover the Dish

Covering the sausages while microwaving is important:

• Cover loosely with a paper towel or vented plastic wrap
• This keeps in moisture while allowing ventilation
• Preventing sogginess and trapping steam

Step 4 – Microwave on High

Now you’re ready to nuke those sausages!

• Microwave sausages on HIGH power in 1-2 minute intervals
• For 2-3 average size sausages, start with 2 minutes
• Flip sausages halfway through microwaving
• Check temperature using a meat thermometer

Step 5 – Rest and Serve

The final steps:

• Allow to rest 1-2 minutes before serving
• This allows carryover cooking to finish
• Pierce sausages to release steam before eating
• Transfer to a plate or buns and serve!

Microwaving Different Sausage Types

While the general method remains the same, you may need to adjust cook times slightly for different sausage varieties:

• Pork – 1-2 mins per sausage
• Chicken or turkey – 1-2 mins per sausage
• Smoked – Just until heated through, 1-2 mins
• Raw bratwurst – 2-3 mins per bratwurst