Methods for Preparing Frozen Sausage
Discover how to cook frozen sausages. You can bake them, pan fry them, or grill them. All three methods are quick, simple, and delicious.
Cooking frozen sausages couldn't be simpler. And it's much faster than you might think.
Did you ever buy too many sausages for a grill party It happens to me all the time; I always buy too many just in case... So, what do I do with them afterwards? You can keep them in the fridge if you plan to eat them before the "sell-by" date on the package, but most of the time, after having grilled sausages on the weekend, you don't want to have them again the next week.
Freezing is the best way to keep them. Then they'll be fine (in terms of taste and texture) for about 2-4 months. However, you can keep them frozen for an extended period of time and they will be safe to eat.
Do you want to cook frozen meat more frequently? Cooking Frozen Chicken Breast - The Ultimate Guide, Frozen Ground Beef in the Instant Pot, and How to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs are all great places to start.
Which sausages can be frozen?
Most types You should double-check the package to ensure that they can be frozen. If you can't, it will almost certainly be stated on the package.
Never freeze sausages that have already been frozen and defrosted. Everything will be fine the way it is. Food that has already been defrosted should NEVER be frozen.
I mostly freeze bratwurst or brats because they are traditional German sausages and I live in Germany. If you enjoy bratwurst, you can learn how to make Brats in the Oven or Brats on the Stove. Make some Air Fryer Brats instead.
Italian sausages, smoked sausages (like Cabanossi or kielbasa), semi-cured or pre-cooked sausages like Wiener, Frankfurters, and hot dog sausages can also be frozen.
How to Cook Frozen Pre-Cooked Sausage
- They are the simplest to prepare. Place hot dogs, Wieners, Frankfurters, and so on. Cover with water (boiled from a kettle to speed things up) and heat through. They should be steaming hot on the inside.
- When making German Lentil Soup, for example, you can place small/thin Wiener or Frankfurters directly in the hot soup and heat them there.
- When it comes to smoked ones (which are also cooked), I usually leave them on the counter for about 30 minutes until soft enough to slice, then slice them and add them to soups or stews. Try this Polish Bean Stew or this Smoked Cabanossi Pumpkin Potato and Sausage Bake.
- If I want to fry or grill them, I do so at a low temperature and turn them frequently. Only by keeping the temperature low can you ensure that the sausages are thoroughly defrosted and hot on the inside without the skin completely burning before that happens.
How to Cook Frozen Raw Sausage
So, let us move on to the meat of this guide. How to Prepare Frozen Raw Sausage How to keep them perfectly juicy and safe on the inside while remaining golden brown and delicious on the outside
They can be cooked in three ways: in the oven, in a pan, or on a grill. All methods are extremely simple, and the results are always excellent.
In the oven, cook frozen sausages.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F (conventional) or 180°C/375°F (fan). Line a baking sheet with foil. It should only be lightly oiled. It is sufficient to brush it in the center, where you will place the frozen sausages.
- Take the sausage out of the package. They will most likely be frozen in a clump, and you will not be able to separate them right away. No problem Simply place them on the prepared baking tray. (1)
- Bake the tray for about 10 minutes in a preheated oven. Remove the tray from the oven; the brats can now be separated. Take them apart, lightly oil them, and arrange them on the tray, leaving some space between them. (2)
- Return the baking tray to the oven for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature is reached. Remember to flip them once or twice in between. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, raise the temperature to 220 degrees Celsius/430 degrees Fahrenheit to help them achieve the desired golden-brown color. (3)
- The baking time is determined by their thickness. It doesn't matter if they are longer or shorter, but the thickness is important. Check with a meat thermometer or cut one in the middle to ensure that they are fully cooked.
- Don't leave them in the oven for any longer than necessary just to make sure they're done. If you cook them for too long, they will begin to dry out. Simply check them as directed above and remove them from the oven as soon as they are done.
Tip
- If the sausages are done but still appear too pale to you, place the tray under a hot grill for a few minutes, turning at least once in between. Keep an eye on them; they can quickly turn from golden brown to burned. I rarely broil them under the grill because I am usually satisfied with their color.
In a skillet, brown frozen sausages.
Pre-cook:
- I prefer to pre-boil them before cooking them in a pan or grill; it is the quickest and safest method I know.
- Put them in a pot or saucepan.
- Cover with water and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and leave to simmer for about 15 minutes. Check with a thermometer; they should be fully cooked.
- They should be safe to eat now, in theory. BUT They don't look good, at least not like sausages should. You'll also want the fry or grill flavors. You must pan-fry or grill them to make them delicious.
Pan-fry:
- On high heat, heat a cast-iron skillet or a nonstick pan. It should be lightly oiled. (Affiliate links from Amazon)
- Remove the sausages from the water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place them in a hot pan and reduce the heat to medium.
- Fry them for 5 minutes, turning them frequently with tongs. Ensure that all sides make contact with the pan at some point. If they are coloring too quickly, reduce the heat slightly.
- When they have reached the desired color, remove them from the pan and serve.
In a grill pan, cook frozen sausages.
- Cook them ahead of time as directed above. Remove from the pan and thoroughly dry with kitchen paper.
- Preheat a grill pan on high. Brush with oil and turn the heat down to medium.
- Place the pre-cooked brats in the pan and grill for about 5 minutes, turning frequently, or until the desired color is achieved. If they are coloring too quickly, reduce the heat slightly. Make sure that all sides come into contact with the pan at some point.
Bonus:
- You can also use an air fryer if you have one.
- Cook for 6 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius/ 320 degrees Fahrenheit in a preheated air fryer. Take them apart now if they were clumped together. Lightly oil the brush.
- Cook through after flipping with tongs to 180 degrees Celsius/360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Check the internal temperature or cut one in the middle to make sure that they are cooked through
Internal temperature for cooked sausages that is safe
Internal temperature should be 71°C/160°F. A meat thermometer (Amazon affiliate link) is the best way to check. If you don't have one, cut one in the middle to see if the meat is still pink.
However, let me tell you that a meat thermometer was one of the best kitchen purchases I've ever made. For years, I didn't think I needed one until I bought one and realized how wrong I was. There will be no more overcooked meat.
I've never had a problem with undercooking anything; I was so afraid of serving raw meat to my family that I cooked it a little too long just to be safe. As a result, I frequently ate dry chicken breasts or whole chicken. Until I got a meat thermometer. It transformed everything; I now use it for everything, and the results are always flawless. Meat that is moist and juicy, whether it is small parts like steaks, poultry breast or thighs, or bratwurst, or larger pieces like a roast or a whole bird.
A good meat thermometer is inexpensive and will last for a long time; it is well worth the investment. I think I paid less than 15 Euros (about 18 dollars) for mine, and I've had it for at least 6-7 years.
How to Use a Thermometer to Check the Internal Temperature
- Insert the thermometer tip into the sausage, stopping in the middle and not going all the way through.
- The temperature should be displayed quickly. My thermometer rises quickly at first, then slows as it approaches the temperature it should show.
- If the temperature displayed is lower than what you want, continue cooking the sausages for a few minutes longer, then check again.
- To reduce the amount of juice escaping the brat, try to stick the tip of the thermometer into the same hole as before.
Is there another way to check the internal temperature?
- Of course Although a meat thermometer is my first choice, there are other methods to check.
- The most obvious and risk-free method is to cut a bratwurst in half. It should be grey instead of pink, and it should be hot inside.
- Use a metal cake tester or skewer. Insert it into the sausage for 10 seconds, then press it against your lip. The brat should be cooked through if it feels hot. If not, cook for a few more minutes and check again. Before I got a thermometer, I frequently used this method to see if a large whole salmon was cooked through.
- Examine the firmness of the sausages. They should be firm to the touch and should bounce back slightly when pressed. However, this method requires some practice; you'll probably have to try it a few times before you figure out how a cooked sausage should feel.
FAQ on Recipes and Tips
Check to see if they can be frozen; most of them can. If not, the package should state that you are unable to do so.
You can keep them in their original packaging and freeze them as is. I frequently do this when there are only 5 to 8 smaller ones in a package.
However, if the package is larger or there is an open package, I freeze them in smaller portions and always consider how many are required for one family meal.
Place the portions in thick freezer bags of good quality. Squeeze out as much air as possible by closing them. Freeze
Never, ever do that. When it comes to sausages or any other type of food, including simple vegetables,
You can freeze the cooked ones after you've defrosted and cooked them. However, only once. Even if they are cooked, do not defrost and then refreeze them.
The best method is to slowly defrost them in the fridge overnight.
Alternatively, defrost in the microwave. Place them on a plate and defrost in the microwave at 50% power. It will take about 4-5 minutes, but check your microwave's instructions first.
You can also defrost them in water. Place in a pot, cover with water, and defrost for 30 minutes to 1 hour. However, this is not my preferred method of defrosting anything.
Sausages that have been defrosted in the fridge can be stored there for another day. Those that have been defrosted in water or in the microwave should be cooked right away.
It is possible if you waited too long to freeze them. Examine and smell them Throw them away if they smell sour, have an unusual color, or are slimy.
Yes Cook them as directed above, then brown them on the grill, flipping them frequently until the desired color is achieved.
How to Keep
- Because you cannot refreeze previously defrosted food, make sure you cook all of the sausages in the package. After the sausages have been thoroughly cooked and cooled, you can freeze some of them. Place them in freezer bags and freeze for 1-2 months.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
What to Make of Leftovers
- You can reheat them in the microwave or oven and serve them the same way you did the day before.
- Cold sausages can be chopped and added to soups, stews, casseroles, potato or noodle salads, risotto, or other rice dishes.
What to Serve
The simplest way to serve them is in a bun with mustard and/or ketchup. You can add cooked sauerkraut, roasted or raw onions, sliced sour cucumbers, and other ingredients if you want.
Serve with any type of potato, including fries, potato salad, mashed potatoes, oven potatoes, and mashed potatoes. You could also serve them with Barbecue Rice, Jollof Rice, or any other simple rice dish; I prefer something spicy. Try them with frozen corn, sweet potato, or buttered leeks.
Create a sauce, such as a caramelized onion sauce, a mushroom sauce, or a curry sauce. You could try the famous German Currywurst sauce, which is simply perfect for bratwurst.
This recipe can be found on the web at: How to Cook Frozen Sausages - 4 Cooking Methods.
Additional sausage recipes
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/180°C/375°F/fan oven. Line a baking sheet with foil. It should only be lightly oiled.
- Prepare the sausages by removing them from their packaging. Place them on the prepared baking tray even if they still stick together. Cook for 10 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven; the sausages can now be separated.
- Brush them lightly with oil and arrange them on the baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 71°C/160°F, flipping once or twice in between.
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking, raise the temperature to 220 degrees Celsius/430 degrees Fahrenheit so they can turn golden brown. (Notes)
- Cook the sausages ahead of time. Put them in a pot or saucepan. Cover with water and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and leave to simmer for about 15 minutes. Check with a thermometer; they should be fully cooked.
- On high heat, heat a cast-iron skillet or a nonstick pan. It should be lightly oiled.
- Remove the sausages from the water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Fry: Place them in a hot pan and reduce the heat to medium. Fry them for 5 minutes, turning them frequently with tongs. Check that all sides are in contact with the pan. If they are coloring too quickly, reduce the heat slightly. Remove them from the pan when they have reached the desired color and serve.
- Cook the sausages according to the package directions.
- Brush the grill pan with oil and cook the sausages as directed above.
- You can also grill the pre-cooked sausages outside. Grill the sausages until evenly colored all over.
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