For hearty flavor and pure comfort, nothing beats scrumptious Italian sausage. There are three ways to cook Italian sausage: on the stove, in the oven, or on the grill. Each way will make the sausage crispy brown and juicy every time.
Italy’s sausage is great in a lot of great recipes, like sausage and peppers, sausage and pasta, or sausage hoagies with lots of caramelized onion. Minestrone soup with Italian sausage cut into rounds is practically a feast all on its own. And it’s all made possible by proper preparation of the sausage.
Cooking sausage links on the stove is a quick and easy way to make a tasty, protein-packed breakfast or dinner. With just a few simple steps, you can have delicious, browned sausages ready in under 30 minutes
Why Cook Sausage Links on the Stove?
There are several benefits to cooking sausage on the stovetop rather than other methods like baking or grilling
-
Speed – Sausages cook fast in a skillet, ready in 10-15 minutes. Much faster than oven baking.
-
Flavor – Browning the sausages over direct heat really develops and enhances the flavor
-
Convenience – Just need a skillet and spatula. Easy cleanup.
-
Control – On the stove you can easily control the level of browning by adjusting the heat.
-
Juiciness – Pan frying maintains moisture better than high heat grilling or baking.
So for fast, delicious sausage with time-saving convenience, the stovetop is hard to beat!
Tips for Cooking Sausage Links on the Stove
Follow these tips and tricks for perfect pan-fried sausages every time:
-
Use a heavy skillet – Cast iron or stainless steel work best to evenly brown the sausage.
-
Preheat properly – Heat the skillet over medium heat before adding oil.
-
Don’t crowd the pan – Cook sausages in a single layer with space between.
-
Brown well – Cook the first side until nicely browned before turning.
-
Turn carefully – Use tongs to gently turn links when ready.
-
Check temperature – Internal temp should reach 160°F for safety.
-
Drain fat – Remove sausages to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb grease.
Step-By-Step Stove Top Method
-
Heat skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat. Allow it to fully preheat, 2-3 minutes.
-
Add oil: Pour in enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Vegetable, olive, avocado oils all work well.
-
Place sausage links: Gently add the raw sausages to the hot oiled skillet. Space them out in a single layer.
-
Cook first side: Let the sausages cook undisturbed until the underside is nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Resist the urge to move them around.
-
Turn sausages: Carefully flip each link using tongs. Be gentle as they are delicate.
-
Cook second side: Continue cooking approximately 5 minutes more until browned all over and cooked through.
-
Check temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm internal temp reaches 160°F.
-
Drain and serve: Transfer sausages to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Enjoy hot!
![Sausage Links in Skillet][]<p class=”caption”>Browned sausage links ready to serve! (Image from AllRecipes)</p>
Cooking Different Types of Sausages
The stovetop method works great for all kinds of raw sausages:
- Pork breakfast links – Classic seasoned breakfast sausage. Cook as directed.
- Chicken apple sausage – Flavorful and lower fat. Follow same method.
- Italian sausage links – Fennel and garlic flavored. Browning brings out the taste.
- Bratwurst – German sausage traditionally pan-fried. Just cook thoroughly.
- Chorizo sausage – Spicy Spanish-style links. Cook low and slow.
- Kielbasa – Polish smoked sausage. Will brown faster than fresh.
Adjust heat and cook times slightly for thicker links. And be sure to cook fully to 160°F.
Serving Your Pan-Fried Sausages
The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving sausage links hot off the stove. Here are some tasty ideas:
- Breakfast sandwiches – Egg, cheese, sausage on an English muffin
- Breakfast bowls – Sausage, potatoes, eggs, cheese, salsa
- Sausage gravy – For biscuits and gravy, mmm!
- Mac and cheese – Mixed into cheesy baked macaroni
- Pizza – Sliced on homemade or frozen pizza
- Pasta – Italian sausage links with tomato sauce
- Kabobs – Alternate with veggies on skewers
- Chili or soup – Cut up and add to beans and broth
However you use them, perfectly cooked sausage takes dishes to the next level. Follow this easy stovetop method for juicy, flavorful links anytime. Enjoy!
k
How to Cook Italian Sausage
Italian sausage, on the other hand, needs to be cooked to 160°F because it is made from raw ground pork, not smoked pork.
Links that are too dark on the outside and still raw in the middle can happen if you cook sausage too high, too fast, or unevenly. The skins can also split and fall apart.
Gradually bringing them up to heat, and turned for even browning will allow for perfect sausages. To avoid them curling you can skewer them lengthwise or place in a barbecue clamp.
Do You Need to Pierce the Skin?
No, please don’t! This is a common tip that appears on many recipes but it’s not ideal.
It’s too bad that all of those tasty juices will be escaping, since that was kind of the point of covering meat in a membrane that couldn’t let the juices out.
Note: Cooking times will vary based on thickness of the sausages.
Stovetop
- Place links in a skillet in water.
- Slowly bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Take the lid off, let the water evaporate, and keep cooking, turning the food often, until it turns brown.
Oven
- Place links on foil-lined baking sheet.
- Place in cold oven and turn heat to 350°F
- Cook for 25-35 minutes or until internal temperature registers 160°F.
Grill
- Place on a 375°F grill and close the lid.
- For about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pork reaches 160°F, turn it over every so often until it’s evenly browned.
How To Cook Breakfast Sausage Links
FAQ
Can you cook sausages in a frying pan?
How long to cook sausages for stove top?
Do you put water in the pan when cooking sausage links?
Why should you cook sausage links on a stovetop?
Flavor: Cooking sausage links on the stovetop helps retain their natural flavors and juices, resulting in a delectable and juicy breakfast. Speed and Convenience: Stovetop cooking is quick and convenient, making it an ideal choice for busy mornings when you need a delicious breakfast in a hurry.
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 do you make a good sausage link?
Additionally, consider enhancing your sausage links with optional spices or herbs. These can include sage, thyme, or even a pinch of cayenne for a kick. Incorporating these can transform your breakfast into a more flavorful experience. Remember, the choice of sausage will influence your cooking method slightly.
Can you cook sausage links in a skillet?
The best way to cook breakfast sausage links on the stove is to use a non-stick skillet or frying pan. How do I prepare the skillet before cooking sausage links? Before cooking sausage links, it is recommended to preheat the skillet over medium heat and lightly coat it with cooking spray or a small amount of oil.