A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Trader Joe’s Chicken Breakfast Sausage

Trader Joe’s chicken breakfast sausage is a quick and easy protein-packed breakfast option loved by many But how exactly should you cook this convenient pre-cooked sausage to bring out its best flavors? Follow this simple step-by-step guide to learn foolproof methods for cooking Trader Joe’s chicken breakfast sausage to perfection.

Overview of Trader Joe’s Chicken Breakfast Sausage

First let’s learn a bit more about this popular TJ’s product

• Made from chicken and turkey, not pork like traditional breakfast sausage
• Lower in fat than pork sausage, but still tasty and flavorful
• Sold fully-cooked so it just needs to be heated through
• Comes in a few flavor varieties like Apple Maple and Spinach Feta

We don’t have to worry about cooking temperatures for raw meat because it’s already cooked. We just need to gently reheat to serve.

Prep Tips Before Cooking

Before you start cooking, follow these tips to prep the sausage:

• Remove packaging – Take the sausages out of the packaging. Plastic wrap or casings can be left on.

• Pat dry – Use paper towels to pat the sausages dry. This helps them get crispy and prevents splattering when cooking.

• Poke holes in the sausages: Use a fork to make small holes all over each sausage. This prevents them from bursting.

Now the sausage is ready to cook!

Skillet Stovetop Method

Pan-frying is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook Trader Joe’s chicken breakfast sausage. Follow these simple steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil.

• Add the sausages and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, rotating occasionally, until browned and heated through.

• Optionally, use a meat thermometer to confirm they reach 165°F internally.

• Slice the sausages and serve! Delicious on their own or in breakfast sandwiches.

Oven Baked Method

For a hands-off method, baking the sausage in the oven works great:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

• Arrange the sausages on the sheet without overcrowding.

• Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until the sausages are hot and beginning to crisp up.

• Check temperature with a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F.

• Serve the oven-baked sausages on their own or chopped up in omelets, casseroles and more.

Griddle or Grill Method

For extra flavor, try cooking the sausage on a griddle or grill:

• Heat a griddle or grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface.

• Add the sausages and cook for 6-8 minutes total, turning every 2 minutes to prevent burning.

• Grill marks will form and the sausages will cook through and get a smoky flavor.

• Check internal temperature to ensure they reach 165°F.

The char marks and smoky flavor from grilling take the sausage to the next level!

Microwave Method

Yes, you can microwave Trader Joe’s chicken breakfast sausage too! Here’s how:

• Arrange the sausages on a microwave-safe plate, leaving space between them.

• Microwave on HIGH power for 60-90 seconds. The time will vary based on your microwave.

• Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure they’re fully heated to 165°F.

• Let the sausages rest for a minute before serving.

While not as crispy, microwaving is a quick option for reheating the pre-cooked sausage.

How to Tell When It’s Done Cooking

Follow these tips to confirm your Trader Joe’s chicken breakfast sausage is fully cooked:

• Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• The sausage will firm up and feel hot to the touch when done.

• Cut into one to check – the interior should be hot and opaque throughout, not pink.

• The sausage will visibly brown on the outside when fully cooked.

Following safe cooking practices ensures you safely enjoy the flavor of Trader Joe’s popular chicken breakfast sausage.

Serving Suggestions and Recipe Ideas

Now that you’ve mastered cooking Trader Joe’s chicken breakfast sausage, get creative with how you serve it!

• Chop it up and add to scrambled eggs or breakfast burritos

• Top a pizza with sliced sausage before baking

• Mix diced sausage into biscuit dough or casseroles

• Make mini sausage, egg and cheese muffin sandwiches

• Add it to omelets, frittatas or stratas

With so many possibilities for easy breakfast recipes, this pre-cooked sausage is sure to become a morning staple.

So that covers the basics of cooking up Trader Joe’s beloved chicken breakfast sausage to perfection. Follow these simple methods and make it a tasty addition to your morning routine!