For hearty flavor and pure comfort, nothing beats scrumptious Italian sausage. There are three ways to cook Italian sausage: on the stove, in the oven, or on the grill. Each way will make the sausage crispy brown and juicy every time.
Italy’s sausage is great in a lot of great recipes, like sausage and peppers, sausage and pasta, or sausage hoagies with lots of caramelized onion. Minestrone soup with Italian sausage cut into rounds is practically a feast all on its own. And it’s all made possible by proper preparation of the sausage.
Sausages are a quick, easy and delicious staple that can be enjoyed in countless ways From a hearty breakfast sausage to spicy chicken apple sausages as a dinner side, there are so many tasty options While grilling, broiling and baking are all great cooking methods, frying pan-cooked sausages often yield the best texture and flavor. If you’re wondering exactly how long to cook sausages in a pan, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Factors Impacting Cook Time
Several factors impact how long it takes to cook sausages in a pan including
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Size and thickness – Small, thin sausages cook faster than large, thick sausages.
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Cooking temperature – Higher heat cooks sausages faster but risks uneven cooking Lower heat takes longer but cooks evenly
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Meat type – Pork, turkey, chicken and other meats have slightly different cook times.
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Raw or pre-cooked – Raw sausages take longer than sausages that are pre-cooked or smoked.
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Amount of fat – Higher fat sausages may cook slightly faster.
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Frozen or thawed – Frozen sausages take longer to cook through.
Recommended Pan-Frying Temperature
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For even cooking without burning, medium to medium-high heat is best.
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High heat can overcook the outside before the inside is done.
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Low heat takes longer and risks undercooking.
Average Cook Times
As a general guideline:
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10-15 minutes for raw pork, turkey or chicken sausages.
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6-10 minutes for pre-cooked smoked sausages.
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Add 5 minutes for frozen sausages.
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Larger sausages may take slightly longer.
How to Tell When Sausages Are Cooked
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Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
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Cut to inspect the interior is no longer pink.
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Check juices run clear not pink when pricked with a fork.
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The exteriors should be evenly browned.
Step-by-Step Pan Frying Method
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Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a teaspoon of oil or butter.
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Add raw sausages and cook 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
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Increase heat to medium-high and cook 2-3 more minutes until browned.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm 160°F (71°C) internal temperature.
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Let rest 1-2 minutes before serving.
Handy Pan Frying Tips
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Don’t pierce or prick raw sausages as this causes juices to escape.
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Cook over lower heat first to heat through, then higher heat to brown.
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Turn sausages every few minutes for even cooking on all sides.
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Butter, oil, or sausage drippings add flavor – use nonstick pans lightly.
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Preheat pans gradually to prevent sticking rather than high heat.
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Dry sausages well before frying or they may steam instead of brown.
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Choose a pan appropriately sized for amount of sausages to allow even contact.
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Cast iron or nonstick skillets work best. Avoid steaming in a deep pan.
Serving Up Perfect Pan-Fried Sausages
Once you’ve mastered the perfect pan frying time and technique, here are delicious ways to serve up your sausages:
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On rolls as hot dogs or bratwurst sandwiches.
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Chopped over pizza, nachos, baked potatoes or pasta.
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Whole alongside eggs breakfasts with hashbrowns or beans.
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Sliced into appetizers with toothpicks.
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Added to kabobs or sausage skewers for fun finger food.
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Mixed into soups, stews, chilis or saucy skillets.
With the right timing and temperature, you can enjoy juicy, flavorful pan-fried sausages for any meal. Follow these tips for cooking sausages in a pan properly without over or undercooking.
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How to Cook Italian Sausage
Italian sausage, on the other hand, needs to be cooked to 160°F because it is made from raw ground pork, not smoked pork.
Links that are too dark on the outside and still raw in the middle can happen if you cook sausage too high, too fast, or unevenly. The skins can also split and fall apart.
Gradually bringing them up to heat, and turned for even browning will allow for perfect sausages. To avoid them curling you can skewer them lengthwise or place in a barbecue clamp.
What is Italian Sausage?
Seasoned ground pork is stuffed into casing shells to make Italian sausage. The links are about 6 inches long. Typically it’s made with fennel seed and red pepper flakes. That combination gives Italian sausage its distinctive flavor and character.
How to Cook Sausages in a Pan
FAQ
How long does it take to cook sausages in a pan?
How long does it take for a sausage to be fully cooked?
Do you cook sausages on medium or high heat?
How long do sausages take to cook in a frying pan?
However, as a general rule of thumb, you can expect sausages to take around 10-15 minutes to cook thoroughly in a frying pan. It’s important to cook them over medium heat to ensure even cooking and avoid burning. 1. How can I tell when sausages are cooked?
How long does it take to cook sausage?
For perfectly cooked sausages, maintain a medium heat throughout the cooking process. High heat may cause the sausages to burn on the outside while remaining undercooked inside. Cook the sausages for about 10-12 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even browning.
How do you cook sausage in a pan?
Cooking sausage in a pan over high heat cooks them quickly, leading to a charred outside with cracked casing and a partially cooked inside. To get a sausage that’s moist and cooked through, yet crispy on the outside, you’ll need to use a two-step cooking process that starts with water and finishes with a pan fry.
How do you cook raw sausage?
For many, the best way to cook sausage is in a pan on the stove. If you’re not familiar with cooking raw sausage, however, it’s easy to dry them out. Cooking sausage in a pan over high heat cooks them quickly, leading to a charred outside with cracked casing and a partially cooked inside.