How To Cook Sausages

Fun fact: the Southland town of Tuatapere has made a self-claim of ‘having the best bangers in the land’, giving itself the title of the “sausage capital”. So, whether you want to know how long to cook sausages in the oven or how to fry sausages in a pan, this guide tells you how to cook your sausages to perfection. 

Plus, if you’re in need of some mealtime inspiration, take a look at some tasty sausage recipes, too – including Nan’s spectacular creamy double pork sausage fusilli.

What are sausages made from?

Alongside spices, herbs, salt and other flavourings, regular sausages are typically made from ground meat, including pork, beef or poultry, usually held together by a thin skin.

Popular sausage snacks in NZ

Sausage rolls

Sausage rolls have become a New Zealand treasure, although the tradition of wrapping meat in pastry is believed to date back to Ancient Greek times. Sausage rolls have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years since they were sold in the early 1800s as a cheap street food snack. Not only are sausage rolls popular at buffets but they can be found freshly cooked in many bakeries up and down the country, cementing their place firmly as one of the nation’s favourite snacks.

Pigs in blankets

Pigs in blankets are a seasonal treat in New Zealand, often found accompanying a traditional Christmas meal. Pigs in blankets derive their name from being sausages wrapped in a ‘blanket’ of bacon. In the U.S., pigs in blankets are often made by wrapping the sausages in pastry.

How to cook sausages

The most common methods for cooking sausages are pan-frying or cooking them in the oven.

1. How to cook sausages in the oven

Cooking sausages in the oven creates a lot less mess than frying on the stove, which is why it’s such a popular cooking method. Here’s how to get it right every time:

  – Preheat the oven to 190°C.
  – Pierce a small hole in each sausage to release any excess fat.
  – Cook the sausages on a baking tray in the middle of the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until fully cooked, remembering to turn them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly.

  2. How to fry sausages in a pan

Another popular method of cooking sausages is in a pan on the stove. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions, and you can’t go wrong:

  – Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a frying pan
  – Place the sausages in the pan and cook for 10-12 minutes until they are fully cooked. Remember to turn them occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.

To be certain the sausages are ready to eat, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your food. If the core temperature (where the sausage is thickest) is 60°C for 45 minutes, 65°C for 10 minutes, 70°C for two minutes, 75°C for 30 seconds and 80°C for six seconds, then it has reached its perfect temperature and is ready to be eaten.

The best side dishes with sausages

span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Here at HelloFresh, we have the best side dishes to pair with your perfectly cooked sausages:

• Creamy mashed potato
• Onion gravy
• Sautéed peppers and onions
• Potato gratin
• Grilled vegetables
• Bacon and mushroom sauce
• Rosemary and garlic potato wedges
• Mac and cheese

The best sausage recipes

If all this talk of sausages has got your taste buds tingling, make sure to check out the expertly curated HelloFresh recipes below for some mealtime inspiration.

• Classic Pork Sausages & Parmesan Mash
• Creamy Pork Sausage & Broccoli Farfalle
• Pork & Apple Sausage Rolls
• Quick Pork Sausages & Peppercorn Gravy