Grilled Sausage – basic technique. This is a weeknight grilling recipe, but just barely. It takes 30 to 45 minutes, end to end, counting preheating the grill. I cook the sausage over indirect heat, so there are no flare-ups, so I don’t have to touch it for most of that time. The sausages are ready after a quick browning at the end. There is also no other work to do because the sausages are already full of flavor. I take the sausage out of its packaging and put it directly on the grill.
Grilling sausage is an essential skill for every grill master. Especially me. My Dad is from Wisconsin, and I was born there. Knowing how to cook bratwurst is a family requirement.
Grilling sausage is not easy. Sometimes it’s hard to cook a sausage all the way through before the outside burns, and when fat starts to drip, it’s even harder. if you cook them over direct heat. Sausages are a prime candidate for sear-roasting on the grill. Start them over indirect heat, and leave them there until they are cooked through. Then, brown the sausage quickly over direct heat to finish. You don’t have to brown the sausage if the grill is hot enough. On my charcoal grill, 20 minutes of indirect heat is enough time to brown the sausage AND cook it all the way through.
This is a weeknight grilling recipe, but just barely. It takes 30 to 45 minutes, end to end, counting preheating the grill. Hands-off cooking takes half of that time, so you can work on other parts of your dinner while the sausages are grilling. Also, because sausage is already stuffed with flavor, there is no other prep work. I take the sausage out of its packaging and put it directly on the grill.
Cooking sausage on a charcoal grill can take your cookouts to the next level. The smoky flavor from the real wood fire enhances the taste of the sausage, while the high heat from the coals helps create a crisp, charred exterior. However, grilling sausage can be tricky. Undercook it and you risk food poisoning. Overcook it and you’ll end up with a dried out, chewy sausage. So how long should you actually cook sausage on a charcoal grill?
The cooking time can vary depending on a few factors
Sausage Thickness
Thicker sausages around 1 inch in diameter will take longer to cook through than thinner sausages around 1/2 inch wide. The extra meat means the heat needs to penetrate deeper to cook the inside so expect to grill thick sausages for around 15-20 minutes per side. Thinner sausages may only need 8-12 minutes per side since the inside cooks faster.
Sausage Type
Fresh sausage made from raw meat will take longer to fully cook than precooked sausage like brats or smoked kielbasa. Fresh sausage needs to be cooked to 160°F internally to be safe to eat, while precooked sausage just needs to be heated through. For fresh sausage, allow 15-20 minutes per side, and 8-12 minutes per side for precooked.
Grill Temperature
A hot charcoal grill around 400-450°F will cook sausages faster than a lower temperature around 325°F. The increased heat transfers faster to the sausage, reducing cook times. On a hot grill, fresh sausage may take 12-15 minutes per side, while a cooler grill could need up to 18 minutes per side. Use an instant read thermometer to confirm doneness.
Indirect vs Direct Heat
Cooking over indirect heat (off to the side of the coals) will take longer than direct heat (right over the coals). Indirect heat gently cooks from all sides, while direct sears the outside. For tender, juicy sausages cook over indirect heat for the majority of the time, then quickly sear the outsides at the end over direct heat.
Preparation Tips
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Prick the sausages all over with a fork before grilling. This prevents them from exploding from built up steam.
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Choose sausages with a higher fat content. They stay juicier than lean varieties.
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Apply a light coat of oil. This helps promote browning and prevents sticking.
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Precook sausage before grilling. Boiling or simmering locks in moisture so they don’t dry out.
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Use a meat thermometer. Cook to 160°F for fresh sausage and 145°F for precooked.
Step-By-Step Guide
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Prep the grill for two-zone cooking so you have both direct and indirect heat areas. Brush the grates clean.
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Prick sausages all over with a fork to prevent bursting. Lightly coat with oil.
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Place sausages over indirect heat, away from the coals. Close the lid.
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After 8-10 minutes, flip the sausages. Cook until centers reach 160°F.
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Move sausages over direct heat. Sear 1-2 minutes per side until browned.
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Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
With the proper technique and monitoring doneness, you can achieve perfect charcoal grilled sausage every time. The key is balancing the smoky flavor from the real wood fire with proper cook times to keep the interior moist and juicy. Master indirect cooking and invest in an instant read thermometer, and you’ll be a charcoal grilling pro in no time.
Frequency of Entities:
sausage: 35
charcoal grill: 15
cook: 11
heat: 8
indirect: 6
direct: 5
cooking time: 5
temperature: 5
thicker: 3
thinner: 3
fresh: 3
precooked: 3
juicy: 3
flavor: 2
smoky: 2
coals: 2
exterior: 2
interior: 2
thermometer: 2
moist: 2
lid: 1
oil: 1
bursting: 1
browning: 1
sticking: 1
simmering: 1
zones: 1
grates: 1
fork: 1
built up steam: 1
higher fat: 1
lean: 1
doneness: 1
sear: 1
browned: 1
rest: 1
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What kind of sausage can you grill?
What kind do you have? Ive used this recipe with
- Italian sausage (sweet and hot)
- Merguez sausage (lamb sausage from my local farmers market)
- Bratwurst (Johnsonville, my favorite)
- Hungarian sausage (from Als Quality Market)
- Sicilian sausage (from DeVitis)
- Chorizo (Spanish, uncooked style)
- Chicken sausage (from Mustard Seed Market)
How to Grill Sausages
Set the grill up for cooking with indirect high heat. For my Weber Summit, I heat it up with all of the burners on for ten to fifteen minutes. Then I use my grill brush to clean the grates. That’s when I set up indirect heat. I turned off two of the burners and put a foil pan on top of those that weren’t lit. This means that burner 1 is on in my Summit 650, burners 2 and 3 are off, and burners 4 through 6 are still on (I use burners 4 through 6 for other things). like peppers and onions. ).
Sausage on the Weber Charcoal Grill
FAQ
How long do you BBQ raw sausages?
How do you know when sausage is done grilling?
How long to cook sausages on a Weber grill?
Can you cook sausage on a charcoal grill?
To cook sausage on a charcoal grill, prepare the grill for medium heat, arrange the sausages on the grates, and grill them for the recommended time, flipping halfway through. 3. Can I parboil sausages before grilling? Yes, parboiling sausages for a few minutes before grilling can help reduce cooking time and ensure they are cooked evenly. 4.
How long do you cook sausage on a grill?
**To cook sausage thoroughly on the grill, you should typically grill them for 10-12 minutes per side over medium heat.** Grilling sausage requires patience and attention to detail. The cooking time may vary depending on the size, thickness, and type of sausage you are grilling.
How do you cook char grilled sausage links?
Juicy grilled sausages with a char-grilled exterior are perfect every time – the ultimate quick and easy summertime meal! The solution? Create two zones of heat on your grill so you can gently cook your sausage links over indirect heat then transfer them to high direct heat for a crispy char-grilled finish.
Can you cook sausages on a gas grill?
Yes, you can definitely cook sausages on a gas grill. Simply preheat the grill to medium heat, place the sausages on the grates, and grill them according to the recommended cooking time. 10. Can I use indirect heat to grill sausages? Yes, using indirect heat can help cook sausages more slowly and evenly, giving them a delicious and juicy result.
How long do you cook sausage buns on a grill?
Grill 2-3 minutes per side, until charred as desired. Toast Your Bun! If you want to take your buns to the next level, brush them with a little oil (or spritz with a little cooking spray) and pop them on the grill grates to toast up for a minute or two as the sausages finish grilling. The buns get toasty and slightly crisp – SO GOOD!
Should sausage be cooked before grilling?
Pre-cooking sausage is optional but recommended to prevent the exterior from burning before the interior is fully cooked. Simmer sausages in broth, beer, or water until they reach an internal temperature of 150°F, then finish grilling for crispiness. Grill sausage at 350°F to avoid splitting the casing and losing flavorful juices.