How to cook frozen Italian sausage

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Cooking perfect sausages can be a difficult task. Getting them to have a crunchy, golden brown casing with a perfectly cooked inside, may seem impossible. Luckily, there are many different ways to cook sausages for that last minute dinner that will leave you with a crispy outside and flavorful, well done inside. It is not recommended to cook sausages directly from frozen so please defrost before cooking.

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   Preheat the oven to 375 °F (191 °C) and add a tablespoon of olive oil to the baking pan.[1]

   • Oven temperatures may vary with oven types. When using a fan oven, 375 °F (191 °C) is recommended, while gas ovens should start at a lower temperature of 340 °F (171 °C).[2]
   • Line your baking pan with a single sheet of tin foil to keep it clean.

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   Add your sausages, coat them in the oil, and let them bake for 20-25 minutes. Turn the sausages ideally 2 or 3 times while they cook, or at least be sure to turn them halfway through the cook time. Doing so will ensure a thorough cook, and add a light, golden brown color to the outside of the sausage.[3]

   • The sausages may have a lighter or darker tone when browning and not all of the sausages will brown the same.[4]

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   Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the sausage is at least 160 °F (71 °C). When you cut open your sausage, there should be no sign of pink meat and the juices should be clear in color.[5]

   • If you are unsure if your sausage is thoroughly cooked, return it to the oven for another 5 minutes and then test it again.[6].

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   Preheat the grill to medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes. After your grill has been heated, turn off two of the burners to create an area of indirect heat.[7]

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   Place the sausages on a wire rack over the area of indirect heat. Using a rack to hold your sausages will allow for an even cook throughout by removing them from direct heat.[8] If your grill has a top and bottom rack built in, using the top rack will work just fine.

   • If you do not have a wire or top wrack use a foot of tin foil to create your own. Scrunch a foot of aluminum foil together to make a rope. Round the foil so that it turns into an S-shape and place the sausages on top.[9]

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   Cook the sausages on the grill for 15 minutes with the lid closed. Flip the sausages halfway through their cook time.[10] This will allow for even browning on both sides of your sausages and balanced internal temperature.

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   Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the middle temperature is at least 160 °F (71 °C). Once they have reached 160 °F (71 °C), place the sausages over direct heat to brown the casing for 3 minutes. Flip the sausages over and allow the other side to brown for another 1 to 3 minutes.[11]

   • It is not required to brown them for an extra 3 minutes. As long as they are fully cooked in the center, they are good to go!
   • If they do not reach 160 °F (71 °C), close the grill lid and cook them for another 5 minutes before testing again.

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1. 1

   Add the sausages to a large saucepan filling it with enough cold water to cover them. Turn the stove on to medium-high heat and allow the water to simmer. It will take between 6 to 8 minutes for the water to come to a simmer.[12]

   • Allowing the water to simmer will cook your sausages all the way through and keep them tender.[13]

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   Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the core temperature is at least 160 °F (71 °C).[14] The sausages will still look gray on the outside, but will have no pink tint on the inside. Any juices from the sausage will be clear.[15]

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   Grease the bottom of a separate pan with enough oil to coat it entirely. Turn the burner to high heat and allow the oil to gently simmer.[16]

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   Place your sausages in the hot oil to sear them. They will not need to sit in the oil for long since they are already cooked.[17] Once they have reached your desired golden color, remove them from the heat to avoid drying them out or becoming overdone.[18]

   • The sausages can be placed in the pan whole, cut lengthwise, cut in half, or cut into chunks.[19]

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• Question

  Can I use frozen sausages, defrost them, cook them, and freeze them again?

  

  No, you should never refreeze frozen meats that you've thawed and cooked. It causes the production of bacteria that can lead to all kinds of food-borne illnesses.

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• Many products will have cooking directions located on their packaging and will state if the product must be defrosted before use.

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• For sausages containing red meat and pork such as ground beef, veal or lamb, make sure they reach a consistent temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).[20]

• For other types of sausages, chicken or turkey based, they are safe to serve at 160 °F (71 °C).[21]

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

To cook frozen sausages, lay them on a baking tray and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Then, bake them in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you turn the sausages a few times so they cook evenly. Alternatively, submerge your frozen sausages in a large saucepan filled with cold water. Wait for 6-8 minutes for your water to come to a simmer, which should cook your sausages through. Whichever method you use, cut open a sausage when they're finished cooking to make sure there’s no sign of pink meat. For more tips, including how to grill your frozen sausages, read on!

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