This time of year, people in the South are buzzing about the return of SEC football. This year, football starts a little later than usual, which makes us even more excited to see it again. I love going to games and tailgating with friends and family, or I can watch them at home. A delicious spread for game day is a must. One of my favorite things about football season (or any season, really) is making plans for what tasty foods to serve. If you are like me, you like to make a lot of fan favorite recipes when football season comes around. The recipes I am sharing with you today all involve the common ingredient, Conecuh Sausage.
Why Conecuh Sausage? If you live in Alabama you’ve probably tried Conecuh Sausage at some point. It’s so well known and liked around here that it is synonymously known as “Conecuh”. Are you new to Conecuh Sausage? Click here to learn more about the hickory-smoked goodness or to order it if you can’t find it in stores near you.
Conecuh sausage is a tasty smoked sausage that originated in Alabama. With its smoky, spicy flavor, it can add a delicious kick to any dish. If you’re cooking Conecuh sausage for the first time, you may be wondering – how long should I cook it on the stove for the best results? Properly cooking sausage requires paying attention to internal temperature and achieving the right level of browning. Follow this guide for tips on cooking times, doneness indicators, and recipes to make the most of Conecuh sausage.
Selecting and Preparing Conecuh Sausage
Conecuh sausage is available in a few varieties, including mild and hot versions Hickory smoked sausage is the classic When selecting links, choose sausages that have a plump, firm appearance without cracks or tears in the casing. For stove cooking, thick sausages around 2-3 inches in diameter work best.
Before cooking you’ll need to prep the sausages
- Remove sausage from packaging and peel off any plastic wrapping.
- Rinse sausages under cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Slice the sausage links into rounds or diagonally into 1-2 inch pieces. Cutting allows interior heat penetration.
If the sausage feels stiff or frozen, run it under warm water to bring to room temperature before cutting.
Key Factors for Stovetop Cooking Times
Conecuh sausage cooking time can range quite a bit based on factors like:
- Sausage thickness – Thicker sausages take longer
- Amount of sausage – More sausage requires more time
- Cooking method – Pan frying, simmering, etc.
- Browning – Well browned sausage takes longer
- Precooked sausage – Starts off partially cooked
For approximate stove cooking times, 2-3 minutes per side for pan frying 1⁄2 inch slices is typical Thicker sausages may need 4-5 minutes per side. But use both time and temperature to check for doneness.
How to Know When Conecuh Sausage is Done
Relying on just cook time is not the best way to gauge doneness. Use these visual and temperature indicators:
- Interior temperature reaches 160°F
- Juices run clear when pierced
- Sausage has browned exterior with grill marks
- Internal texture is firm, not squishy
To check temperature, insert an instant read meat thermometer into the thickest part of sausage pieces. 160°F ensures safety and full cooking.
The exterior should develop light golden browning. Pan frying adds attractive sear marks. Excessive blackening or burning indicates the heat is too high.
Step-by-Step Stove Cooking Instructions
Follow this simple process for foolproof pan fried Conecuh sausage:
- Prep the sausage as instructed above.
- Choose a skillet or frying pan large enough to hold sausage without crowding. Non-stick is ideal otherwise add oil.
- Heat the pan over medium heat until hot.
- Add sausage pieces in a single layer. Work in batches to avoid crowding.
- Let cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to brown.
- Flip sausage and cook 2-3 minutes more on second side.
- Check temperature and visual indicators. Cook longer if needed.
- Transfer sausage to a plate and repeat for remaining batches.
The sausage can then be served immediately or incorporated into recipes.
Helpful Tips for Successful Results
Cooking sausages perfectly on the stove without overcharring or undercooking comes down to a few key tips:
- Pat sausage dry before cooking to prevent steaming
- Use medium heat to avoid burning
- Don’t crowd the pan
- Let browning occur before flipping
- Adjust heat as needed to prevent overcooking
Ventilate your kitchen to clear away excess smoke. Avoid poking or pricking sausages as they cook which can lead to leakage.
Incorporating Conecuh Sausage into Recipes
Beyond enjoying Conecuh sausage on its own, there are endless possibilities for integrating the smoky links into recipes. Here are just a few ways to utilize cooked sausage:
- Breakfast – Add to eggs, burritos, breakfast pizza, etc.
- Appetizers – Place on skewers for sausage bites
- Salads – Toss with greens, veggies, beans, pasta salads
- Sandwiches – Layer on buns or rolls for a protein punch
- Pizza – Scatter on pizza or use as a topping
- Pasta – Mix with tomato sauce or pasta salads
- Soups and stews – Drop into veggie, bean, sausage, and potato soups
- Seafood boils – Combine with shrimp, crab, corn, and potatoes
- Rice dishes – Fold into jambalaya, dirty rice, rice pilaf
- Veggie sides – Mix with roasted vegetables and potatoes
Conecuh sausage packs a big flavor that complements both hearty and lighter fare. Try it in all your favorite recipes.
Handy Recipes for the Stove and Beyond
To get you started, here are some top-rated recipes for cooking Conecuh sausage:
This Cajun shrimp and sausage boil is a crowd-pleaser. The recipe calls for simmering the sausage, but you could pan fry it instead before adding to the boil.
Conecuh sausage adds spice to this Louisiana Creole classic dish. Pan fry the sausage then incorporate it into the rice.
Sausage and Peppers Sheet Pan Meal
This quick and healthy one-pan dinner is ready in 30 minutes. You’ll pan fry the sausage before roasting.
For a hearty Southern breakfast, pan fry Conecuh sausage and mix the drippings into creamy gravy.
Bake a savory Conecuh sausage-filled quiche with veggies and cheese for brunch.
Grilled Conecuh Sausage Kabobs
Take sausage outdoors by skewer grilling kabobs with pineapple and peppers.
Get Creative with Conecuh Sausage
Part of the fun of Conecuh sausage is experimenting with different seasoning combos, cook methods, and recipe ideas. Consider alternate cooking techniques like baking, broiling or grilling for varied results. Spice it up with cajun seasoning or coat in barbeque sauce before cooking. The possibilities are endless for crafting scrumptious ways to enjoy Conecuh sausage off the stove as well.
With a few basic tips, you can master perfectly cooked Conecuh sausage on the stovetop and incorporate it into an array of mouthwatering meals. Just adjust cooking times based on thickness and use a thermometer for the best results. Now get cooking and savor the smoky, savory flavor of Conecuh sausage!
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SAUSAGE AND CHEESE PLATE
My sausage and cheese plate is based on a dish from an old Oxford, MS restaurant called “The Rib Cage.” Enjoy this “no frills” plate that is easy on the taste buds and can be changed to fit your favorite cheeses. Like the pork wrapped pork recipe, this sausage and cheese plate travels well to tailgates or parties. I typically use the following ingredients to put my sausage and cheese plate together on a charcuterie-ish board:
Barbecued Conecuh, cut into bite-size pieces
Petite Kosher Baby Dill pickles
Vlasic Stacker Pickles (can you tell I like pickles)
I simply slice the barbecued conecuh, cheese, and pickles up, then throw all the ingredients on a board. Put everything in separate ziplock bags and put them in a cooler. If I’m taking this plate on the road, I do that. When I get there, I just throw the ingredients on the board.
COOKING WITH CONECUH: BARBECUED CONECUH
Second on the recipe lineup is a simple versatile recipe. I like to serve barbecued Conecuh two different ways, but it’s very good on its own. Here is how I grill it:
Take 1 lb of Conecuh Sausage and place it in a dish or ziplock bag. Liberally pour barbecue sauce over the links of sausage until they are fully coated. I prefer to use a thicker barbecue sauce for grilling conecuh. Allow the Conecuh to marinate in the barbecue sauce for at least an hour before grilling. Over indirect heat between 350F and 400F, grill the sausage for about 20 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked. No grill, no problem. Simply place the sausage on a broiler pan and broil on high for 8-10 minutes.
How to Cook Conecuh Sausage – The Right Way!
FAQ
How to cook conecuh sausage on the stovetop?
How long does conecuh sausage need to be cooked?
Is conecuh sausage already cooked?
How to cook Conecuh sausage?
The easiest way to cook a Conecuh sausage is pan-fried on the stove. Use a nonstick skillet or cast-iron skillet. Make sure that the skillet’s temperature is medium, and add the Conecuh sausage halfway up the sides. Steps to cook Conecuh sausage: 1. Put sausage links in a nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. 2.
How to cook Conecuh sausage cornbread?
To cook Conecuh sausage cornbread, you’ll need: In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the sausages for 5 minutes until they are brown. Ensure you cook them in medium-high heat. Remove the sausages once cooked properly. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil into the skillet and let it heat up for 8 to 10 minutes. Next, preheat your oven to 425°.
Can you cook Conecuh sausage on a grill?
It is important to turn the sausage frequently to avoid burning any side. You can cook Conecuh sausage on the grill and enjoy the smoky flavor that you can only get from a charcoal or gas grill. To cook sausages, start by preparing your grill grates with an even layer of cooking oil and heat the grill to medium-high heat.
Does Conecuh sausage need to be refrigerated?
Conecuh sausage is a raw product and must be refrigerated or frozen. Then, it can be used for cooking. However, it is not a pre-cooked product. Conecuh sausage does not contain any preservatives, so the buyer must cook thoroughly before consumption to 165 degrees.