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 pork sausages couldn’t be easier! With just a few simple tricks you can make juicy, flavorful sausages from the convenience of your freezer. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to cook frozen pork sausages perfectly every time.
Why Cook Frozen Sausages?
Freezing sausages is a great way to take advantage of bulk deals at the grocery store or stock up when they’re on sale. Plus it saves you time since you always have them on hand ready to cook. I like to portion mine out before freezing so I can thaw just what I need.
Cooking sausages directly from frozen only takes a little longer than fresh. The key is using gentle heat to thaw and cook them evenly without drying them out. With the right techniques, frozen sausages come out just as juicy and delicious as fresh.
Thawing First vs Cooking Frozen
You have two options when it comes to cooking frozen sausages:
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Thaw first: This involves thawing the sausages in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. It allows you to cook them just like fresh sausages. However, it requires more planning ahead.
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Cook frozen: You can throw frozen sausages right into the oven, skillet or grill. It’s super fast and convenient. You just need to adjust your cooking method slightly to prevent overcooking.
I prefer to cook sausages directly from frozen as it saves time. With the right techniques, they turn out perfect. But thawing first works too if you have the time.
How to Cook Frozen Pork Sausages
Here are three simple methods for cooking frozen pork sausages to juicy perfection:
Oven Baked
Baking is one of the easiest ways to cook frozen sausages. The gentle, indirect heat thaws and cooks them evenly.
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
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Arrange frozen sausages on the baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes until browned and cooked through (160°F internal temperature). Flip sausages halfway through.
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For added flavor, brush with oil or glaze before baking. Broil at the end to crisp the casings.
Pan Fried
Pan frying imparts delicious browned flavor. Be sure not to rush it on too high heat.
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Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add a drizzle of oil.
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Add frozen sausages and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides.
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Reduce heat if sausages start to blacken before the center is cooked.
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Cook until internal temperature reaches 160°F.
Grilled
The grill adds incredible smoky flavor to sausages. Use indirect heat and flip frequently.
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Heat grill to medium heat. Oil grates to prevent sticking.
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Place frozen sausages on grill and close lid. Grill for 20-25 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes.
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Move to indirect heat if flare ups occur. Cook until 160°F internal temperature.
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Char marks will develop in the last 5-10 minutes once thawed.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Sausages
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Always check internal temperature using a meat thermometer to ensure doneness. Pork should reach 160°F.
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Use medium or indirect heat to thaw and cook sausages gently without burning.
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Flip or turn sausages frequently to promote even cooking.
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Brush with oil or glaze for added flavor and moisture. Avoid sugary sauces that can burn.
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Broil or char at the end over direct heat to crisp and brown.
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Rest cooked sausages 5-10 minutes before serving.
Serving Up Perfect Pork Sausages
Cooked pork sausages pair deliciously with:
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Soft rolls, hoagie buns or ciabatta for sausage sandwiches
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Mustard, ketchup, bbq sauce, sauerkraut
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Roasted potatoes or french fries
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Pasta salad, potato salad or coleslaw
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Grilled veggies like peppers, onions and zucchini
With the proper techniques, cooking frozen pork sausages is easy and the results are amazing. Just remember to use gentle, indirect heat and cook to the proper internal temperature. In no time, you’ll be serving up juicy, flavor-packed sausages just like from the grill or butcher shop. Enjoy this fast and convenient cooking method for deliciously convenient meals.
How to cook frozen sausage links in a saucepan and skillet
- Taking the sausage out of the package, put it in a big pot. Cover with water by at least 1 inch. Place over medium heat; bring to a boil.
- Turn down the heat to medium-low, and let the sausages cook slowly for 10 to 12 minutes, or until a meat thermometer stuck in the middle of one of them reads 160oF. Drain.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm up 2 teaspoons of high-heat cooking oil, like avocado oil. Turn the sausages over a few times and cook for another two to three minutes, until the outside is golden brown. (You can also cut the sausage into thin slices and cook them in the pan.) ).
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.
Frozen breakfast sausages in under 10mins . No oil needed!
How do you cook frozen sausage?
Cooking frozen sausages to juicy perfection begins with patience. Leave them be to defrost gradually in the fridge overnight. When ready to cook, choose a heavy pan and use medium-low heat. Brown the sausages on all sides, resisting the urge to rush. Test doneness with a quick poke to ensure the interior is cooked through.
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 thaw frozen pork sausage?
Place your frozen pork sausages in a sealed container or ziplock bag and let them thaw overnight in the fridge. This method ensures even defrosting while keeping the sausages at a safe temperature. Cold Water: If time is of the essence and you don’t have access to a microwave or fridge, try using cold water to speed up the thawing process.
Can you cook frozen sausage in a frying pan?
Frying in a frying pan is one of the four ways how to cook frozen sausage, and it can be done by following these steps: Heat your pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter, cooking oil, or bacon fat to the pan. Put sausage in the pan and cook for 3 – 4 minutes on each side.