Do you have frozen sausages that you want to use for dinner? Let me show you how to defrost them in the microwave.
Today we are going to show you how to quickly defrost any sausages in the microwave so they are ready to cook for your next meal.
We already showed you how to defrost chicken and bacon in the microwave. Now it’s your turn to learn how to defrost sausages.
Of course, you might be wondering why I’m talking about defrosting sausages when you can air fry them. Well, if you use a slow cooker, you can only eat sausages that have been thawed.
What I find myself doing sometimes is planning what to eat on a weekend last minute. I often end up grabbing something from the freezer at the last minute because I can’t decide what to make for Sunday dinner.
Most of the time, the frozen sausages are the best deal because I can cook them from frozen in the air fryer, defrost them in the microwave, or defrost them and then put them in the slow cooker.
Today I wanted to show you how easy it is to use the microwave to thaw sausages when you need them quickly.
Sausages make for a quick, easy and tasty meal But when you go to cook them and realize the package is rock-solid frozen, it can put a wrench in your dinner plans. Thawing sausages doesn’t have to be a hassle though. The microwave provides a fast and safe way to defrost them for cooking
In this article, we’ll walk through the steps for thawing sausage in the microwave. We’ll also cover microwave power settings, defrost times, safety tips and more. With the right technique, you can go from frozen to ready-to-eat sausage in under 10 minutes.
Why Defrost Sausage Before Cooking?
Sausage needs to be fully thawed before cooking for a few important reasons
-
Even cooking: Frozen areas in the middle can lead to uneven cooking temperatures. Defrosting helps ensure the sausage cooks evenly throughout.
-
Food safety: Sausages should reach an internal temperature of 160°F to eliminate bacteria. If the center is still frozen, you risk undercooking.
-
Texture: Fully thawed sausage has a juicier, more tender texture after cooking. Frozen sections tend to toughen up.
-
Prevents cracking: Going straight from frozen to high heat can cause casings to split open. Defrosting helps keep them intact.
Thawing first takes a little extra time up front, but the benefits are well worth it!
Can You Cook Sausage Frozen?
It’s generally not recommended to cook sausage directly from the frozen state, with two exceptions:
-
Microwaving: You can microwave frozen sausage to cook it, though the texture may suffer slightly.
-
Boiling/Simmering: Sausage can be added frozen to soups, chilis and stews since the liquid helps thaw and cook it gently.
Aside from those two methods, thaw first for the juiciest, safest results. The microwave makes it quick and easy.
How to Thaw Sausage in the Microwave
Follow these simple steps for perfect microwave thawing:
1. Remove Packaging
Take the sausage out of any plastic, paper or styrofoam packaging. This prevents the packaging from melting.
2. Place on Microwave-Safe Dish
Arrange the sausages in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate or shallow dish. This allows for the most even thawing.
3. Microwave in Short Bursts
Microwave the sausage in short 2-3 minute intervals until thawed. Check and flip the sausages halfway through. This prevents cooking or overheating.
4. Let Sit 1-2 Minutes
Once thawed, let the sausage sit for a minute or two to allow the temperature to even out. The insides will still be colder.
5. Cook Immediately
For food safety, sausage should be cooked immediately after thawing in the microwave.
That’s all there is to it! The times and power settings you use will depend on the amount of sausage you’re thawing. We’ll go over some microwave defrosting guidelines next.
Microwave Sausage Defrost Times
Defrost times can vary based on your microwave wattage, how much sausage you’re thawing and more. Here are some general time ranges to follow:
- 1-2 sausages: 2-4 minutes
- 4-6 sausages: 4-6 minutes
- 0.5 lb sausage: 5-7 minutes
- 1 lb sausage: 7-9 minutes
Check often and adjust times as needed based on your microwave. The sausage is ready to cook when it’s pliable throughout and you can easily cut into it with a knife.
Microwave Power Setting for Thawing
Using a lower microwave power setting between 30-50% is best for thawing sausage evenly without starting to cook it. However, not all microwaves have adjustable power. Here are your options:
-
Defrost Setting: If available, this is ideal as it alternates between defrosting and resting.
-
50% Power: This provides gentle, even heating if you can adjust the power.
-
Start at 2 minutes: Use short intervals and check frequently on high power.
-
Defrost Mode: Try a defrost or thaw function if your microwave has one.
The goal is to thaw the sausage without cooking it. Lower power helps prevent that.
Thawing Safety Tips
Thawing sausage in the microwave is very safe, as long as you follow a few guidelines:
- Don’t leave sausage sitting out after thawing – cook immediately.
- Use a food thermometer and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Don’t re-freeze thawed sausage – cook within 1-2 days.
- Microwave in a dish to catch any drips and prevent splatters.
As long as you follow basic food safety rules, microwaving is a reliable way to thaw sausage for cooking.
What to Do Once Thawed
Once thawed in the microwave, sausage needs to be cooked right away while it’s at room temperature. Here are some quick and easy cooking methods:
-
Stovetop: Pan-fry in a skillet for 5-7 minutes per side.
-
Oven: Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until browned and cooked through.
-
Grill: Grill for 4-5 minutes per side for charred, juicy sausage.
-
Microwave: Yes, you can microwave cook thawed sausage fully in just a few minutes.
The sausage is ready to eat when the interior temperature reaches 160°F. If reheating fully cooked sausage, heat to 165°F.
Sausage Defrosting FAQs
Have more questions about defrosting sausage in the microwave? Here are some commonly asked questions:
How long does it take to thaw sausage in the microwave?
Most sausage takes 5-10 minutes to defrost in the microwave depending on thickness and amount. Defrost in 2-3 minute intervals.
Can you microwave sausage from frozen?
You can microwave cook frozen sausage, though it’s better to defrost first for more even cooking and better texture.
Is it safe to microwave thaw sausage?
Yes, microwaving is a safe way to thaw sausage as long as you cook it immediately after and follow food safety guidelines.
What happens if sausage is still frozen in the middle?
Keep defrosting for a minute or two if still icy in the center. If needed, finish thawing by simmering in liquid or pan-frying over lower heat.
Can you refreeze sausage after thawing?
It’s not recommended. Thawed sausage should be cooked within 1-2 days. Refreezing causes the texture to deteriorate.
Quick, Easy Thawing
Armed with these microwave defrosting tips, you can safely thaw sausage from frozen to ready-to-eat in under 10 minutes. Follow the simple process of microwaving in short bursts, flipping halfway through and cooking immediately after.
With the convenience of the microwave, you can enjoy juicy, fully-cooked sausage for breakfast, lunch or dinner without having to plan ahead. No more letting the frozen package foil your dinner plans!
k
How Long Can You Leave Defrosted Sausages In The Fridge?
The time you can leave defrosted sausages in the fridge depends on how they entered the freezer. If you bought them with a yellow sticker (which I do a LOT), they would have only been good for one day when you put them in the freezer. So, this same rule applies when they are thawed.
But let’s say they still had three days to freeze. That means you have three days to cook the sausages.
Best way and to avoid confusion is to defrost the sausages and cook them the same day.
Would you like it simple? After that, we’ll send you the BEST microwave recipes for beginners right to your email, along with other helpful microwave information.
Defrost Sausages Microwave Ingredients
Sausages – We used a pack of 12 frozen sausages from the butchers. They are thick pork sausages, but any will do.
Water—We need to add a little water to the microwave steamer basket so that the sausages defrost evenly.
Steamer – Then our favourite steamer basket. We picked it up from Lakeland but this one will work too. You just add a little water to it and your sausages and then microwave your sausages to fully defrost them.
Then for the kitchen gadgets that we have used in this defrost sausages microwave recipe it has just been our Panasonic Microwave Oven. We have this one and its wonderful for many types of microwave recipes.