How to Cook Frozen Sausage Links to Perfection

You can make quick dinners with sausage, but what if you forget to thaw it before you start cooking? Don’t worry—there are several quick and easy ways to cook sausage from frozen that won’t hurt the flavor.

Cooking frozen sausage links may seem daunting, but it’s actually quite simple with a few handy tips! Whether you’re prepping a quick breakfast, need a protein for dinner, or want an easy appetizer for a party, delicious sausage links are just minutes away. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn foolproof methods to take frozen sausages from freezer to plate.

Getting Started

The first step is choosing your frozen sausage links Popular varieties like breakfast, Italian, kielbasa, chorizo, andouille, bratwurst, and more are readily available. Opt for fully cooked rather than raw. Fully cooked only requires reheating while raw needs thorough cooking from frozen

You’ll also need a baking sheet, parchment paper, cooking spray, tongs, oven mitts, and a meat thermometer. Preheat your oven to 400°F to ensure it’s hot when the sausages go in.

Oven Method

The oven yields evenly cooked sausages with a nice char.

Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray.
Arrange sausages on the sheet, leaving space between each one.
Bake for 15 minutes. Use tongs to flip each link.
Bake 10 more minutes. Check temperature by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part. It should read 160°F.
Bake longer if needed until sausage reaches 160°F. The time depends on thickness.
Let sausages rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Stovetop Method

For quicker cooking, simmering on the stovetop is fast and easy

Place sausages in a skillet and add water to cover halfway.
Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes.
Use tongs to transfer sausages to a plate.
Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add oil and sausages. Cook each side until browned.

Air Fryer Method

Air frying makes super crispy, delicious sausages with little oil.

Pre-heat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
Add sausages and cook 5 minutes.
Turn sausages over and cook 5 more minutes.
Break sausages apart into smaller pieces.
Cook in batches if needed. Fry 5 more minutes.
Check for doneness. Fry any undercooked portions.

Microwave Method

The microwave provides a quick cooking shortcut.

Arrange sausages in a microwave-safe dish. Add 2 tbsp water.
Microwave for 1 minute. Rearrange sausages.
Microwave 1 more minute. Check temperature.
Microwave in 30 second bursts until 160°F.
Let sausages stand 2 minutes before removing from dish.

Grilling

Grilling imparts delicious smoky flavor.

Oil the grill grates. Heat grill to medium-high.
Place sausages diagonally across grates. Grill each side for 5-7 minutes until browned.
Rotate sausages and grill 2-3 minutes per side until 160°F.

Troubleshooting

If sausages split, they likely cooked too fast. Lower temperature and increase cook time.
Browning unevenly means the pan or grill was overcrowded. Allow space between sausages.
Mushy, undercooked interiors happen if not fully heated to 160°F. Always check internal temperature.
Tough, dry sausages are overcooked. Stick to recommended cook times.

Serving Suggestions

Breakfast sandwiches with egg and cheese
Baked beans and macaroni salad
Hot dog buns for mini brats
Substitute for pepperoni on pizza
Cut up in pasta, soups, casseroles
Dice and add to fried rice or stir fries
Appetizers with mustard, sauerkraut
Slider-style sandwiches

With the right technique, you can easily cook frozen sausages to juicy perfection. Refer to this guide whenever you need to whip up quick, tasty sausage in a pinch!

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What are sausage links vs. block sausage?

ButcherBox offers a variety of sausages in both link and block form. Links are individual portions wrapped in a natural pork casing. Blocks contain the seasoned meat in a 1-pound package without any casing.

With links, you usually cook them in the casing and serve whole, or cook, then slice. With block sausage, you can cook it and then crumble the meat, or you can shape it into meatballs or patties before cooking.

How to cook frozen sausage links in the oven

Warm the oven up to 400oF and put parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Put the sausage on the baking sheet after taking it out of the package. Bake for 10 minutes. Be careful to take the sausages apart and turn the links over. Bake for 10 minutes.
Three to five minutes longer, flip the links over and bake until a meat thermometer stuck in the middle of a sausage reads 160ºF.

How to Cook Frozen Sausage Links in the Oven

FAQ

Can you cook frozen sausage without thawing?

Frozen sausage is easy to thaw, but it’s not something you even have to do. If you want to start cooking immediately, just bring them up to a boil in a pot of water, drop them in the oven, or even use an Instant Pot. All are good options, and you can always finish them in a pan or grill to get that classic sear.

Can you cook sausages in oven from frozen?

To cook frozen sausages in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place the sausages on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, and cook for 25-30 minutes or until they reach the desired internal temperature.

How to cook frozen breakfast sausages in a pan?

Pan-frying breakfast sausage Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium heat for one to two minutes. Add the sausage links or patties in a single layer to the pan, so each one cooks evenly. Cook the sausages for 12 to 16 minutes. Frozen links or patties will take a few minutes more.

Can you cook Heck sausages from frozen?

Yes, most sausages can be cooked from frozen. Frozen sausages will take about 10-15 minutes to cook through in a frying pan, and always ensure that the core temperature reaches 70°C ( 158°F) for at least 2 minutes to destroy any harmful bacteria.

How do you cook frozen sausage links?

Now that you have everything ready, let’s start cooking those frozen sausage links: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place the baking sheet or oven-safe dish in the oven while it preheats. This will help ensure even cooking. If using parchment paper or aluminum foil, line the baking sheet or dish to make cleanup easier.

Is sausage casing healthier option to eat?

Cellulose casings and some natural casings are perfectly fine to eat. Sausage casings are used to hold and shape filling inside so that it can be cooked. There are natural sausage casings and synthetic varieties, and most of them are edible. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Sausages provide high levels of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.

How to cook frozen sausage?

There are three ways of cooking them: in the oven, pan, and grill pan (or on a grill). All methods are incredibly easy, and the results are always great! Preheat the oven and line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Brush it very lightly with oil. It is sufficient to brush it in the middle, on the spot where you will place the frozen sausages.

How do you know if sausage links are cooked?

The best way to determine if the sausage links are fully cooked is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the sausage, and when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), the sausages are safe to eat. Can I add any seasonings or marinade to the sausage links before cooking? Absolutely!