How Long to Grill Kielbasa Sausage for Perfectly Cooked Links

Kielbasa sausage is a flavorful type of smoked sausage that originated in Poland. It’s become a popular item to throw on the grill, but knowing exactly how long to cook kielbasa sausage can be tricky. Undercook it and you’ll end up with a rubbery, unappetizing texture. Overcook it and you’ll have dry, tough sausage. So what’s the secret to grilling up plump, juicy kielbasa sausage? Let’s find out.

Picking the Right Kielbasa

There are a few different varieties of kielbasa sausage to choose from The most common types are

• Polish Kielbasa: The classic style, made with pork and garlic seasoning. It has a milder flavor that works well in a variety of dishes.

• Smoked Kielbasa: These sausages are smoked over wood chips, giving them a deeper, smokier taste.

• Spicy Kielbasa Made with hot peppers like jalapeños for extra heat and zing

I prefer the traditional Polish kielbasa for grilling since it has a nice balance of flavors that pairs well with lots of sides. The smoked or spicy varieties can overpower other ingredients

Prepping the Grill

Proper grill prep is key for evenly cooked kielbasa:

• Clean the grates thoroughly with a grill brush. This prevents any leftover residue from sticking to the sausages.

• Preheat your gas or charcoal grill on high heat for 10-15 minutes. You want it to reach a temperature of around 400°F.

• With charcoal grills, wait until the coals are covered in gray ash before grilling. This indicates they’re ready for cooking.

Heating up the grill properly gives you the high heat needed to sear and char the kielbasa correctly.

Grilling Time for Kielbasa

Now comes the most important part – figuring out the right grilling time for kielbasa sausage. Here are some tips:

• Bring sausages to room temp: Grilling cold kielbasa straight from the fridge can lead to uneven cooking. Let them sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.

• Use medium-high heat: Avoid high heat, which can cause flare-ups that burn the outside of the sausage before the inside is cooked through. Medium-high heat (around 350-450°F) is ideal.

• Grill for 4-6 minutes per side: For raw kielbasa that’s around 1-inch thick, aim for 4-6 minutes per side. Turn the sausages every 2 minutes for even browning.

• Check internal temp: The best way to ensure kielbasa is cooked through is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160°F.

• Add extra time if needed: If after 4-6 minutes per side the inside of the sausage still isn’t 160°F, keep grilling for 1-2 extra minutes until it reaches the proper temperature.

Following these simple grilling time guidelines will ensure your kielbasa turns out perfectly cooked – lightly charred on the outside while still moist and juicy inside.

Grilling Tips for Kielbasa

Here are some extra grilling tips for making deliciously flavorful kielbasa sausage:

• Use a hot dog cage: This grilling tool holds the sausages in place while they cook, preventing them from rolling around on the grates.

• Go for diagonal marks: Place sausages diagonally across the grates rather than straight across. This creates attractive crosshatched sear marks.

• Brush with oil: Lightly coating the kielbasa with vegetable oil before grilling helps them develop a nice caramelized exterior.

• Flip carefully: Use tongs instead of a fork to gently turn the sausages. Piercing them causes juices to leak out.

• Add wood smoke: Soak wood chips like hickory or apple in water for 30 minutes then scatter over the hot coals for smoky flavor.

• Glaze near the end: Brush kielbasa with your favorite glaze, like honey-mustard or brown sugar barbecue sauce, during the last few minutes of grilling.

Cooking Pre-Cooked Kielbasa

If you’re working with sausages that are already fully cooked, you can simply heat them through on the grill rather than actually cook them. Here’s how:

• Use medium-low heat: Adjust grill to medium-low, around 300-350°F. The lower temperature prevents pre-cooked kielbasa from drying out.

• Warm for 6-8 minutes: Cook pre-cooked kielbasa for about 3-4 minutes per side, until heated through. They’ll plump up and become lightly browned.

• Check internal temp: Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the interior of the sausages reach 140°F or higher before serving.

• Avoid charring: Don’t leave pre-cooked kielbasa over direct heat too long or the casings can become overly charred before the interior is hot.

Grilling pre-cooked kielbasa is quick and easy. In less than 10 minutes, you can have juicy, flavorful sausages ready to serve.

Testing Kielbasa for Doneness

With any sausage, it’s important to use more than just appearance to gauge when they’re ready. Here are some doneness tests to try:

• Instant-read thermometer: As mentioned above, sausages should reach 160°F for raw or 140°F for pre-cooked.

• Cut into one: Slice into a sausage to check that the inside is no longer pink. The meat should be evenly browned throughout.

• Texture: Fully cooked sausages will feel firm yet still have a nice snap when you bite into them. Undercooked kielbasa will seem mushy or rubbery.

• Color: Raw kielbasa is fully cooked once the exterior turns from pink to browned with grill marks. Pre-cooked sausages should be lightly re-browned but not charred too dark.

Using a combination of temperature, sight, feel and texture will ensure your grilled kielbasa links come off the grill perfectly done.

Serving Up Your Grilled Kielbasa

Once your kielbasa sausage links are cooked on the grill, you’ll want to serve them up in fun and creative ways. Here are some ideas:

• Cut into bite-sized slices and spear with toothpicks for an easy party appetizer. Provide dipping sauces like honey mustard, barbecue sauce or horseradish cream.

• Nestle grilled kielbasa into toasted hoagie rolls topped with sautéed onions and peppers for a tasty hot sandwich.

• Chop up grilled sausage and add it to potatoes or kale for a delicious, protein-packed salad.

• For a hearty main dish, serve kielbasa with seasoned rice and your favorite vegetables like broccoli or green beans.

• Kids love mini kielbasa slices tucked into crescent rolls or pigs in a blanket. Use a sweet glaze or dip for finicky young eaters.

With so many possibilities, you’re sure to find amazing ways to use your freshly grilled kielbasa sausage.

Handy Leftover Tips

Like most meats, grilled kielbasa can be refrigerated for quick meals later in the week. Here are some storage and reheating pointers:

• Let leftover grilled kielbasa cool completely before storing it covered in the fridge. Use within 3-4 days for best quality.

• Frozen grilled sausage will keep for 2-3 months. Wrap kielbasa tightly in plastic wrap or foil before freezing.

• To reheat, place refrigerated sausage links on a grill or sauté pan over medium heat until warmed through, about 5 minutes per side.

• Microwaving is another fast reheating option. Arrange kielbasa on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 60-90 seconds until hot.

With proper storage, you can enjoy delicious grilled kielbasa throughout the week. Simply reheat and add it to pasta, sandwiches, salads and more for easy meals.

Grilling Safety Tips

While firing up the grill for kielbasa and other meats can be fun, it’s vital to keep safety in mind:

• Grill in a cleared area away from trees, overhangs or flammable items. Have a fire extinguisher on hand.

• Don’t leave the grill unattended while cooking. This can lead to accidental fires.

• Keep children and pets safely away from the hot grill. Have them stay inside if possible.

• Use long-handled grilling tools and wear oven mitts to avoid burns.

• Ensure the grill is completely cool before moving it or pouring out ashes after use.

By taking the proper precautions, you can grill worry