Drake sausage is a delicious smoked sausage made by Drake Meats, a family-owned company based in Saskatchewan, Canada Their signature Nest Drake Sausage is a one-pan meal made with mild Mennonite sausage, vegetables, herbs and a savory pan gravy This hearty and comforting sausage dish is easy to make, but cooking it to perfection takes some skill. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook Drake sausage like a pro.
Drake Meats was founded in 1949 as a small meat locker co-op in the tiny town of Drake, Saskatchewan (population 200!). Over the past 70+ years, the company has grown tremendously but remains committed to quality, innovation and small-batch production. Drake Meats does everything by hand, from spice blends to sausage grinding and smoking. They use natural smoke made from local maple and oak to give their meats incredible flavor.
The Nest Drake Sausage is one of their most popular products. It features mild Mennonite sausage packed with red potatoes carrots, onions garlic and fresh herbs. The vegetable-studded sausage is smothered in a creamy pan gravy for a complete one-pan meal. Cooking this sausage dish requires some special care to achieve the perfect texture and flavor balance.
Step 1: Choosing the Right Sausage
Drake Meats makes several types of sausage, but the classic Nest Drake Sausage contains pork. If you require a substitute, consider:
- Turkey Sausage: Leaner option with a hint of sweetness
- Chicken Sausage: Delicate flavor, cooks quickly
- Vegan Sausage: Meatless option made with soy or seitan
No matter what type of sausage you use, choose links that are plump and firm, not shriveled. The casings should be intact with no tears. For the most authentic flavor, use genuine Drake Meats sausage if you can find it.
Step 2: Prep the Sausage for Cooking
To ensure even cooking, the sausage needs some prep before hitting the pan.
- If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge. Don’t microwave – this can cause bursting.
- Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Prick casings all over with a fork to prevent swelling and bursting.
- Cut diagonally into bite-sized pieces. This exposes more surface area for browning.
Prepping the sausage properly gives you better control during cooking. Now it’s ready for the real magic to happen!
Step 3: Browning the Sausage
Browning the sausage nicely before making the gravy adds a ton of flavor. Follow these tips:
- Use a heavy skillet, preferably cast iron. This holds heat consistently for better browning.
- Add a drizzle of oil and preheat until shimmering. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Brown the sausage on medium-high heat on all sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Take your time.
- Brown in batches if needed, transferring browned pieces to a plate. They’ll finish cooking later.
- Fond from the sausage will help build the gravy. Don’t wash out the pan!
Beautifully browned sausage makes a world of difference in the finished dish. Now we’re ready to construct the Nest!
Step 4: Building the Nest
The vegetable medley and gravy complete this one-pan sausage dinner.
- In the same pan, sauté aromatics: onion, garlic, carrots.
- Add herbs, potatoes, stock and seasoning. Simmer until potatoes are fork-tender.
- Make a roux with butter and flour. Whisk into pan juices to form silky gravy.
- Return sausage to pan and simmer together 5 minutes.
That’s it – you just built a cozy Nest for your Drake sausage! Keep reading for garnish and serving suggestions.
Step 5: Last Touches
A few final touches make this dish really shine:
- Garnish with chopped parsley and sliced green onions. This adds freshness.
- Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the gravy.
- Add a side salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Slice an apple or pear for a sweet, crispy contrast.
When plating, arrange the sausage and vegetables attractively over the starch. Ladle gravy generously. A sprinkle of garnish completes the homestyle presentation.
Cooking Drake Sausage on the Grill
If you prefer, you can also grill Drake sausage for delicious flavor with charred bits. Follow these tips:
- Use indirect heat, around 375°F. Direct heat can cause bursting.
- Grill 10-12 minutes, turning frequently. They may flare up – keep moving!
- Move to indirect heat on the grill if they start to blacken.
- Brush with BBQ sauce or mustard glaze in the last 2-3 minutes if desired.
Grilled Drake sausage also pairs well with colorful vegetable skewers. Try zucchini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and mushrooms.
Drake Sausage Pairings and Serving Suggestions
The savory flavor and versatility of Drake sausage make it easy to incorporate into many types of meals.
- Breakfast – Serve with eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes or waffles.
- Lunch – Add to sandwiches, flatbreads, pizza or nachos.
- Dinner – Pair with roasted veggies, creamy pasta, or rice bowls.
- Appetizers – Cook into bite-sized pieces for sausage balls or kabobs.
Drake sausage also pairs nicely with many flavors and sides:
- Sweet contrasts – Apples, pears, caramelized onions
- Crunch – Sauerkraut, slaw, pickles
- Cheesy dishes – Mac and cheese, twice baked potatoes
- Hearty greens – Collard greens, kale, spinach
- Starchy sides – Mashed potatoes, potato salad, fries
- Breads – Biscuits, corn bread, pretzel buns
With so many pairing options, it’s easy to work Drake sausage into your regular dinner rotation. Keep a pack in the freezer for last-minute meals.
Tips for Leftover Drake Sausage
Like many sausages, Drake sausage keeps well for 4-5 days refrigerated and 2-3 months in the freezer. Here are some creative ways to use up leftovers:
- Breakfast tacos or burritos – Add eggs, cheese, potatoes
- Sausage gravy over biscuits, grits or eggs
- Hearty sausage soup with veggies and beans
- Sausage fried rice or stir fry
- Flatbread pizza with sausage, peppers, onions and cheese
- Tossed with roasted Brussels sprouts and squash
Transforming leftovers into new dishes prevents food waste while giving you delicious meals all week long. Getting creative with leftovers can become one of your favorite kitchen adventures!
Safety Tips for Cooking Drake Sausage
When cooking any pork product, food safety is important. Here are tips to handle Drake sausage safely:
- Always cook to an internal temperature of 160°F. Use a meat thermometer.
- Refrigerate raw sausage within 1-2 hours of purchasing. Freeze for longer storage.
- Thaw frozen sausage overnight in the fridge, never at room temperature.
- Cook thawed sausage within 1-2 days. Don’t refreeze raw sausage once thawed.
- Leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours. Reheat fully when ready to eat.
- Discard sausage left at room temp for longer than 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F).
Following safe sausage practices reduces your risk of foodborne illness. Take care when handling raw sausage, and always cook it thoroughly.
Enjoy the Savory Goodness of Drake Sausage
Drake sausage is a Canadian treasure with incredible smoked flavor in every bite. With some simple preparation and cooking care, you can easily make restaurant-worthy dishes at home. Use this complete guide to cook Drake sausage to juicy, flavorful perfection.
From one-pan Nest Drake Sausage to grilled links or creative leftovers dishes, the options are endless. Share the magic and comfort of Drake sausage with lucky family and friends!
Cooking Sausage in a Pan
- 1. Put about 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of oil in a skillet and set it over medium-low heat. Place a pan or Dutch oven on medium-low heat and add just enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom. The oil keeps the sausage from getting burned or stuck in the pan. It takes a while for the pan to get hot. Use medium or medium-high heat only. The sausage might break or shrink if the pan is too hot. If you’re going to use the sausage in another dish, like soup or pasta, cut it into 1/2-inch pieces. 3 cm) rounds, or slice them in half lengthwise.
- 2. Put in the sausages and cook them for five minutes on each side. Put the sausages in the pan and cook them for 10 minutes, or until they turn brown and the juices run clear. After 5 minutes, flip them over. When all of them are the same color, take the pan off the heat. [7] If you cut your sausages, cook them for two minutes on one side and three minutes on the other.
- 3. Pour the sausage out of the pan and serve it or add it to another dish. Use a spatula to hold the sausages or slices in place and pour out any liquid that’s still in the pan. They can now be eaten or added to another recipe on the stove. One way to use the sausages is to add them to gumbo or pasta sauce.
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To cook fully cooked smoked sausage, it’s easy to brown it in a pan on the stove. With a sharp knife, cut the sausage into half-inch-wide pieces going from one end to the other. Put the pan on medium heat and add about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. This will keep the sausage from sticking. Put the sausage in the pan and use tongs or a spatula to turn it over a few times so it browns evenly. After about 5 minutes, they should be uniform in color, which means they’re finished cooking. To learn how to cook fully cooked smoked sausage on a grill, keep reading!.
Ninja Foodi Grill / Drake Sausage
FAQ
How do you cook Drake Mennonite sausage?
Is it better to cook sausages in the oven or pan?
What is the best way to cook smoked sausage?
How do you cook sausage on a stovetop?
For cooking sausage on a stovetop, heat a skillet with about 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of oil on medium heat. Add the sausages and cook for five minutes on each side. To boil sausages, cover and boil them for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F (74 °C). Preheat the oven to 400 °F (204 °C).
How long do you cook a steamed sausage in the oven?
Place the foil on the baking sheet – secure it by crimping it around the edges unless you are feeling daring. Preheat the oven to 350. Space your SMOKED SAUSAGE out so that heat can circulate around them. Place in the center of the oven and bake for 25-35 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 160.
How do you cook fully cooked smoked sausage?
Keep reading to learn your new favorite way to serve fully-cooked smoked sausage. For oven cooking, put the sausages on a tray lined with parchment paper and cook them at 400 °F (204 °C) for 15 minutes. For cooking sausage on a stovetop, heat a skillet with about 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of oil on medium heat.
How long does sausage take to cook?
Baking time will vary by the thickness of the sausage, oven temperature, amount of preheating, and even the pan. So use an instant-read thermometer and check the temperature early. For breakfast sausage, use either patties or links. It will cook fast, in as little as 15 minutes. Use pork sausage, turkey sausage, or chicken sausage.