Quick Answer: What Are The Best Ways To Cook Breakfast Sausages?

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If you would like to cook breakfast sausages, there are 5 main ways you can do this. The approaches include using either a frying pan (with and without water) or broiler and cooking the sausages in either the oven or the air fryer. All of these methods are very easy and only take a short period of time.

When it comes time to cook a protein-packed breakfast, there’s nothing better than some good ol’ classic breakfast sausages.

Starting off your day with protein is a great way to get some much-needed energy and is also an excellent addition to numerous other breakfast favorites, including pancakes, eggs and toast.

Breakfast sausages are a staple in what is known as the “English breakfast.” The English breakfast is a hearty meal that typically consists of sausages, bacon, potatoes and eggs.

If you’re a person who likes a filling and savory dish in the morning, then you should definitely consider this one.

The classic way of preparing sausages generally entails throwing them in the frying pan and while this is a solid method, we are here to show you three further options that are just as efficient and offer a more diverse range to suit every kitchen need.

If you’re new to cooking, it can be challenging knowing where to start until you’ve learned the basics.

This is especially relevant when preparing meat, as cooking it incorrectly can lead to serious health risks.

Whether you’re a newbie at cooking or simply want to expand your horizons when it comes to preparing your favorite breakfast sausages, this article will provide you with everything you need to know to make this dish to perfection.

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Frying Pan?

To start off with the basics, we thought we would introduce the most common method of cooking breakfast sausages.

Frying your breakfast sausages, whether they’re patties or links, is not only super tasty but also super simple.

Here’s what you need to know

Pro Tips

It is not necessary to add any oil to the pan as the sausages will produce a sufficient amount of fat to grease the pan and for them not to stick.

It’s important to place the sausages in a single file so that they cook evenly.

It’s important that you keep an eye out on the sausages and continuously turn them so that all of the sides have a chance to get browned.

In the case that you are using frozen breakfast sausages, you will need to add an additional 2 minutes of cooking time.

For a foolproof way of knowing the sausages are done, use a thermometer. They are done when the temperature reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).

Do not skip the paper towel step! This is critical for removing any excess grease (like you would do with bacon).

When completing the water method, the water should not cover the sausages.
- You should also avoid placing a lid over the skillet, as this will slow down the cooking time.

RELATED: The 35 Best Sausage Recipes

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Broiler?

If you have a broiler in your home, you can also cook your sausages this way.

This method is a little quicker than the previous one and is just as tasty.

Pro Tips

Some broilers will not have a heat setting, so if that is the case with yours, simply turn on the on button.

If you don’t own a broiler pan, don’t worry. As an alternative, you can also place a wire rack over top of a baking sheet and place the sausages onto the rack.
- It is essential that there is a platform beneath the rack to catch the excess grease that will drip from the sausages.

Depending on whether you’re cooking links or patties may change the cooking time slightly.

For a foolproof way of knowing the sausages are done, use a thermometer. They are done when the temperature reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Oven?

If you prefer the flavor that only the oven can provide, you’re in luck because breakfast sausages cook super well this way too!

This method takes the longest out of the 4 but is totally worth it.

Pro Tips

Depending on whether you’re cooking links or patties may change the cooking time slightly.
- For a foolproof way of knowing the sausages are done, use a thermometer. They are done when the temperature reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).

If you notice your sausages are very greasy when you take them from the oven, you can remove some of the grease by patting them dry with a paper towel.

RELATED: 14 Beef Sausage Recipes You Can Try Tonight

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Air Fryer?

If you’ve never used an air fryer before, you’re seriously missing out. Air fryers do all the hard work for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time on the couch.

Pro Tips

If you are using sausage links, make sure to cook them for 12 minutes if the links are frozen.

For frozen sausage patties, cook for 12 minutes as well.

It’s important to place the sausages in a single file so that they cook evenly.

For a foolproof way of knowing the sausages are done, use a thermometer. They are done when the temperature reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do Breakfast Sausages Last In The Fridge?

It’s always good to know how long your sausages will last to ensure you eat them up in time. Proper storage is also critical so that you can avoid any food waste.

Once you have purchased your breakfast sausage from the grocery store, it can typically last in your fridge for between 1 and 2 days. Remember that this is for fresh, raw sausage.

Cooked sausage, however, is a little different and can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days before it starts to go bad. The ideal temperature to store it at is 40 degrees Fahrenheit or less.

If you wish to eat your sausages at a later date, you can also store them in the freezer. The recommended amount of time is up to 4 months.

If you suspect your sausages may have exceeded any of these timeframes and are going bad, you can check for the following indicators: a gray/brown color, bad odor, and slimy texture.

If any of these are visible, you should discard your sausages.

What Is The Difference Between Sausage Links & Sausage Patties?

If you don’t eat sausages often, you may not be familiar with the differences between sausage links and patties.

Here is what you need to know

Sausage patties consist of ground sausage molded into the shape of a patty (think hamburgers). This ground sausage is made into thin circles and, unlike sausage links, doesn’t have any casing.

In comparison, link sausage is also made from ground sausage but, as mentioned, is enclosed in casing. In terms of shape, link sausage takes on a longer and thinner form (think of a hot dog wiener).

Now when you talk about “breakfast sausages,” either of these types can apply. However, breakfast sausages also possess their own unique attributes.

Breakfast sausage is typically well-seasoned and uses a variety of spices, such as sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. If the breakfast sausage is link meat, then you will notice that the texture is smoother.

On the other hand, a patty sausage tends to have fewer flavors and is more uniform in taste.

Are Breakfast Sausages Healthy?

While breakfast sausages are a good source of protein and will provide you with a hearty meal to start off the day, they aren’t considered to be terribly healthy.

This is due to the fact that sausages are high in calories, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and nitrates.

For the most healthy sausage options, try

Applegate Organics Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausage
Applegate Naturals Savory Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties
Beyond Meat Plant-Based Breakfast Links
Teton Waters Ranch Original Grass-Fed Beef Breakfast Links
365 by Whole Foods Market Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausage

What Can You Cook With Breakfast Sausages?

Breakfast sausages are a great way to start the day and can be paired with a variety of foods, including

Pancakes
Fried potatoes
Beans
Bacon
Eggs
Toast

You can also eat them in the afternoon or for dinner. In this case, try them with

Sautéed Peppers and Onions
Mac & Cheese
Baked Beans
Coleslaw
Potato Salad
Rosemary and Garlic Baked Potato Wedges
Grilled vegetables

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Frying Pan (Fried)?

Active Time: 16 minutes

Total Time: 16 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Sausages are set in a preheated nonstick skillet and cooked on medium-low heat until all of the sides are brown and then transferred to a plate lined with a paper towel to remove any excess grease.

Materials

Sausages

Tools

Nonstick skillet
Paper towel
Plate

Instructions

Retrieve a nonstick skillet and place it on the stovetop on medium-low heat
Allow the pan to heat up for a couple minutes
Place the sausages into the pan without allowing them to stick together or overlap
Cook sausage links for approximately 12-16 minutes and sausage patties, 10-12 minutes

Make sure to frequently turn sausages until all sides are browned

Once they’re done, remove them from the stove and place the sausages on a plate that has been lined with paper towel
Allow them to sit there for 1-2 minutes
Serve hot!

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Frying Pan (Boiled & Fried)?

Active Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Sausages are set in a preheated nonstick skillet filled with water and cooked until all water has evaporated. Then they are cooked further until all of the sides are brown before being transferred to a plate lined with a paper towel to remove any excess grease.

Materials

Sausages

Tools

Nonstick skillet
Paper towel
Plate

Instructions

Retrieve a nonstick skillet and place it on the stovetop on medium-high heat

Allow the pan to heat up for a couple minutes
Add ¼ cup water
Place the sausages into the pan without allowing them to stick together or overlap
Cook sausages for 6 minutes or until all of the water has been evaporated
Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer the sausages for an additional 6 minutes
Make sure to flip them continuously, so all sides are browned
Once they’re done, remove them from the stove and place the sausages on a plate that has been lined with paper towel
Allow them to sit there for 1-2 minutes
Serve hot!

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Broiler?

Active Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 6 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Sausages are cooked in the broiler on low heat for 6 minutes, ensuring they are being turned halfway through.

Materials

Sausages

Tools

Broiler
Broiler pan

Instructions

Preheat your broiler to low heat

Place the sausages on a broiler pan so that they are not touching or overlapping
Broil the sausages for 3 minutes
Flip them and broil for another 3 minutes
Remove from the boiler and serve immediately

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Oven?

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Sausages are placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cooked in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, ensuring they are flipped halfway through.

Materials

Breakfast sausage links

Tools

Oven
Baking sheet
Parchment paper

Instructions

Set your oven to a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Place the sausages onto the baking sheet, ensuring there is a gap between each of them
Set the sausages in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping them over halfway through
Remove from oven and serve hot

How To Cook Breakfast Sausages In The Air Fryer?

Prep Time: 1 minute

Active Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 11 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Sausages are placed in the air fryer at 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cooked for 5 minutes on each side.

Materials

Sausage patties

Tools

Air fryer

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit

Take the sausage patties and place them on the air fryer tray or in the basket
Cook for 5 minutes
Flip the sausage patties over
Cook for an additional 5 minutes
Remove and serve!

Author
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Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!