What goes best with smoked sausage?

Casseroles, beans and rice, pasta, soup, stew – there's really not much you can't make with smoked sausage. Plus, because it's already cooked, it makes a great dinner shortcut. Just add whatever's in your fridge or pantry – whether that's pasta, rice, potatoes, broccoli, eggs, etc.

What is the best sausage to smoke?

What kind of sausage can I smoke? There are very few sausages that can't be improved with a little extra smoke flavor. Italian sausages, brats, chorizo and breakfast sausage can all be smoked.

How to make sausages tastier?

Seasonings, spices and herbs are added to give the sausages extra flavour . Small pieces of cooked apple, caramelised onions or other ingredients that pair well with pork can also be added to create interesting varieties.

What is the best cooking method for sausages?

Deep frying also increases the risk of the aforementioned harmful compounds forming because of the high temperatures involved. In summary, it is important to cook raw — or even pre-cooked — sausages completely before you eat them. This can be done in many ways. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking .

Can you eat smoked sausage straight from the package?

Simply put, fresh sausage is raw and uncooked, making it great as an ingredient, but you'll need to cook it yourself. Smoked sausage is fully cooked, so you can eat it as is . In other words, you don't need to cook smoked sausage for it to be safe for consumption, though you can if you prefer your sausage warmed up.

Should you poke holes in sausage before smoking?

Poking holes will prevent splitting by giving steam someplace to escape when they heat up , but it will also let the fat escape, so you have to be careful not to overcook them or they'll dry out and lose flavor. If you don't poke holes, cook them over lower heat.

How do you keep sausage moist when smoking?

Close the damper and turn the temperature to approximately 180-190⁰ , this will cause a high humidity to cook the sausage. High humidity will cook the sausage very quickly as well as tenderize the casings; especially natural casings. High humidity also helps to cook the sausage without drying it out too much.

Can you smoke sausage too long?

You need to closely monitor the sausage's internal temperature, aiming for 160°F (71°C). This makes it clear that smoking sausage is never a matter of how long you cook, but rather the internal temperature . You will also want to take note of the cooking time to help ensure you don't overcook it.

What is the most delicious sausage in the world?

Cervelat is a type of sausage that originated in Switzerland. It is widely regarded as one of the most delicious sausages in the world. The sausage has a distinctive flavor and is made using a mixture of pork, beef, and various spices.

Is it better to cook sausages in the oven or pan?

One of the healthiest ways to cook sausages is in the oven . It's super easy to do, and unlike frying or grilling, baking sausages doesn't require any extra oil.

How do you cook store bought smoked sausage?

Cut Smoked Sausage sections in half lengthwise or into 1'2" slices. Add to non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook 6-9 minutes, turning frequently .

How long should you cook smoked sausage?

Once the water is boiling, carefully add the smoked sausages to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sausages simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are fully cooked. You can even check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer – it should read 160°F (71°C).

How do you keep smoked sausage from drying out?

Another tip to prevent your meat from drying out is to add a bowl or pan of water to your smoker . Some smokers have a built-in pan or tray that's designed specifically for water. Even if your smoker lacks this feature, you can still add a bowl of water to it. The water from the bowl or pan will gradually evaporate.

19 Delicious Smoked Sausage Recipes (2024)

From Cajun to Comfort Food, Sausage Is a Must

Diana Rattray

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.

Learn about The Spruce Eats'Editorial Process

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Whether you use spicy andouille, kielbasa, chorizo, or gourmet poultry sausage made from chicken or turkey, these meats add a smoky flavor to everyday recipes. You're sure to find some inspiration in this collection of recipes, from soups to jambalaya, gumbo to pasta.

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Dishes with Andouille Sausage
Andouille sausage is a Southern staple made with pork and spices and doubly smoked for extra flavor. These recipes bring out the best of the pork while enhancing the smokiness by using milder ingredients to complement it:
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- As fun to eat as it is to say, beloved British "toad in the hole" gets a Cajun version with andouille sausage paired with the traditional Yorkshire pudding batter. This delicious preparation gets an extra kick of flavor from the spices in the batter and from the smoky sausage. By baking the sausages before adding the batter, you get rid of a lot of the fat and make them crispier. Prep and cook in 45 minutes. Serve with a raw beet salad.
- An andouille mac and cheese is a creamy, cheesy pasta with a sausage sauce that is simply irresistible. Simply cook the sausage with peppers and make a cheddar cheese sauce with milk and spices to cover the pasta with. Bake for 25 minutes with extra cheese on top for a mac and cheese casserole on your table in a total of 45 minutes. Serve with a refreshing dill-cucumber salad.
- Our spicy penne uses andouille sausage and a creamy sauce of cheddar cheese and creole seasoning to create an extraordinarily spicy and smoky pasta dinner. Serve with a sweet and creamy apple-fennel salad.
- A roasted potato and sausage dinner is a perfect one-tray dish for a busy weeknight. Simply chop and roast vegetables, potatoes, and andouille sausage and place in the oven for 55 minutes. The simplicity of the dish makes it suitable for kids and adults alike. If your guests can handle some heat, add some cajun or creole seasoning and extra cayenne or chili flakes. Serve with grilled Mediterranean vegetables.
02 of 04
Soups with Sausage
Soups are a simple way to provide a filling and complete meal to your family. Our soup recipes featuring sausage are very hearty and flavorful, ideal dinner dishes for a chilly night.
- This kale and white bean soup with spicy sausage is an easy soup that requires just 45 minutes of cooking. Use canned tomatoes and beans and store-bought chicken broth to help maintain that short cooking time. Serve with warm ciabatta bread.
- Our spicy sausage and potato soup is silky and creamy thanks to the addition of heavy cream. The ultra-thick and rich texture makes it a great main dish. Simply serve it with fresh bread and a fennel and avocado salad.
- Use spicy andouille or chicken smoked sausage in this tasty mixed bean-sausage soup. Lima, great northern,navyand red beansgive the soup a rich texture. The dish will be ready after 1 hour of prep and cooking. Make a creamy mayo-avocado guac and serve the soup with tortilla chips and the dip.
- Andouille sausage powers this tastyspicy black bean-sausage soup. Prep and cook in 1 hour and 5 minutes, and while you're cooking the soup make simple white rice as a side. Put a pat of butter on the rice when cooked for an extra silky side dish.
- This hearty, flavorful chicken and sausage gumbo is technically a stew, but after trying it's rich and flavorful broth you might call it a soup. Thyme, bay leaf, and creole seasoning are the key. After 2 hours of prep and cooking, you can sit down to smoky feast. Serve with rice and crusty bread.
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Crockpot Sausage Recipes
Cooking in a crockpot is the easiest way of bringing a meal to your table. Chop, mix, season, set, and forget. Our delicious sausage crockpot recipes make excellent weeknight meals:
- Use your favorite variety of sausage for our crockpot smoked sausage with potatoes and cabbage. Add sliced potatoes, cabbage, and the sausage to the crockpot with butter and apple sauce. Prep takes 5 minutes, then you can cook for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. Serve with warm baguette and butter.
- Smoked sausage and onions features a mustard sauce balanced by Balsamic, honey and vinegar. The sweet-and-sour dish can be served as a main with rice and roasted vegetables, or sliced as an appetizer or party snack. Cook on low for 6 hours and on high for 3.
- Creole chicken and sausage is a combination of chicken thighs, sausage, and vegetables in a tomato sauce that cooks for 7 hours on low. These ingredients make a hearty stew that you can adjust depending on your taste, more or less spicy, or creamier by adding 1/2 cup of heavy cream before serving. Serve with rice or pasta.
- Smoked sausage (chorizo or chicken) adds another dimension to this flavorful sausage beef chili recipe. This super simple recipe uses canned beans, tomatoes, and chiles. Cook on low for 6 hours (or overnight) or on high for 3. Serve with tortilla chips and sliced avocado.
- If you need a party appetizer that's easy and delicious, set your crockpot with co*cktail franks, grape jelly, and chili sauce and cook on low for 6 hours. The spicy and sweet coating on the little smokies makes them a go-to when hosting a party.
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Beans, Rice and Sausage
The classic combination of rice and beans is key recipe in many cultures and is a whole meal thanks to the protein content of the beans and the nutritious carbs and fiber in the rice. In these recipes, the sausages just make them even more delicious:
- In ourLouisiana beans and rice, use andouille for a traditional flavor. The smoked sausage on top adds richness and texture to the dish. Cook the beans in an aromatic broth for 2 and 1/2 hours, add the sausage, and cook for 30 more minutes. Serve them over rice, garnished with parsley.
- For the Southern classic purple hull peas and sausage, use purple hull peas or black-eyed peas. This flavorful stew needs 1 hour on the stove cooking. Serve with maple and bacon cornbread.
- This chicken, shrimp, and sausage Jambalaya is a traditional southern Louisiana rice dish. The meats and vegetables combine to give the dish a fantastic mouthfeel. Prep and cook in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Southern Food

19 Delicious Smoked Sausage Recipes (2024)

Dishes with Andouille Sausage

Soups with Sausage

Crockpot Sausage Recipes

Beans, Rice and Sausage

FAQs

What goes best with smoked sausage? ›

How do you cook store bought smoked sausage? ›