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 spicy, smoked sausage hailing from Alabama that is truly delicious Its distinctive flavor comes from a blend of pork and secret spices While often associated with Southern cuisine, Conecuh sausage is versatile enough to incorporate into all kinds of dishes. Learning how to cook it properly on the stove brings out its best qualities. Follow these simple steps for flavorful Conecuh sausage cooked to perfection.
Conecuh sausage originates from Conecuh County in Alabama The recipe has been passed down for generations and remains a local specialty Here are some key facts about this unique type of sausage
- Made from a blend of pork, beef, and secret spices
- Has a rich, smoky flavor from being smoked over hickory wood
- Features a signature snap when you bite into it
- Usually sold in links or patties
- Brands like Conecuh Sausage Company are famous for it
Its distinctive spicy, peppery taste makes it excellent in breakfast dishes, pasta, pizzas, soups, and more. While you can grill or pan-fry it, stovetop cooking brings out the most flavor.
Benefits of Cooking Conecuh Sausage on the Stove
There are a few advantages to cooking Conecuh sausage on the stovetop rather than other methods:
- Browning adds richer flavor and texture
- You can thoroughly cook the sausage without drying it out
- Imparts smoky flavor to the rest of the dish
- Allows seasoning and glazing the links
- Easy temperature control compared to grilling
- Minimal mess unlike deep frying
Follow these steps to unlock the full potential of Conecuh sausage cooked on the stove.
Step-by-Step Guide to Stovetop Conecuh Sausage
With a hot skillet and a few minutes, you can enjoy delicious Conecuh sausage cooked right on your stovetop.
Ingredients:
- Conecuh sausage links or patties
- Oil or butter for the skillet
- Seasonings (optional): garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, etc.
Instructions:
-
Prepare the sausages. Remove sausage from packaging and pat dry with paper towels. Slice links into bite-sized pieces if desired.
-
Heat the skillet. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of vegetable oil or butter to prevent sticking.
-
Brown the sausages. Once skillet is hot, add sausages. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until well-browned.
-
Optionally season. Sprinkle or brush your favorite spices onto the sausages while cooking to add more flavor.
-
Cook through. Cook sausages until internal temperature reaches 160°F. Total stovetop cooking time is about 6-8 minutes.
-
Serve and enjoy! Remove the sausages from heat and incorporate into your favorite dishes.
Handy Tips for Stovetop Conecuh Sausage
-
Use tongs to easily flip and turn sausages while browning.
-
Add sliced onions or peppers to the skillet to caramelize.
-
Boil sausages briefly before browning for extra juiciness.
-
Glaze sausages with honey-mustard sauce or bourbon for special flair.
-
Cook halved or diced sausage to use in pasta, rice dishes, etc.
-
Pair Conecuh sausage with traditional Southern sides like collard greens, grits or cornbread.
With the right technique, you can enjoy the full flavor of Conecuh sausage at home. The stove adds signature browning and makes it easy to incorporate into all types of recipes. Experiment with spices and glazes while maintaining the signature heat and smokiness.
k
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.
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.
How to Cook Conecuh Sausage – The Right Way!
FAQ
How do you know when Conecuh sausage is done?
Is Conecuh fully cooked?