How To Reheat Sausages 3 Easy And Delicious Ways

Whether it’s grilling season or your favorite dish is simply a good German wurst (with mashed potatoes and green beans of course- if you know, you know), you can never go wrong with delicious sausages. 

Sausages come in all flavors, shapes and sizes (yes, we know how that sounds, get your mind out of the gutters). They can be prepared in a variety of ways, including on the barbeque, in a frying pan and in the oven. 

Regardless of your preference, there’s a sausage for everyone. 

Now, let’s say you’ve just cooked up a delicious dish of steaming hot, crispy, juicy links and not all of them got eaten up. 

If you find yourself in this situation, under no circumstances, I repeat, under no circumstances throw out the sausages!

If done correctly, any kind of sausage can be reheated to perfection. 

And no, it doesn’t include the microwave. 

When reheating food, the microwave tends to be the go-to kitchen appliance. But unfortunately, when it comes to meat, warming your sausages up this way will cause them to become soggy and rubbery- and nobody wants that. 

And while the microwave will technically do the job, it definitely yields the most disappointing results, so reserve this method for only the most desperate of situations. 

So how exactly should you reheat your leftover meat? If you’re looking for the best methods to reheat sausages, there are three approaches that you should stick with: the oven, on the stovetop and in the air fryer. 

Each of these methods is not only super easy, but they will also ensure your sausages retain their crispy exterior without drying out the meat on the inside. 

For more information on reheating your sausage leftovers, plus step-by-step instructions, make sure to check out the following sections. 

RELATED: How to Cook Raw Sausages in a Microwave Oven

How To Reheat Sausages In The Oven 

For an easy and effective way of warming up your sausages, the oven is always a great option. 

Reheating sausages in the oven will make your meat extra crispy while retaining the original delicious flavor. 

It’s important, however, that you check on your sausages while they’re in the oven, as different pieces may require slightly different cooking times. 

For more info, check out the following table:

Pro Tips

• If you need to prepare anything else while the chicken is coming to room temperature, this is the time to do it.
  • While preheating the oven is essential, you can complete other things on your to-do list or prepare side dishes and set the table. 
• Although you don’t need to grease the baking sheet, for extra precautions, it’s not a bad idea.
  • The aluminum foil is also not necessary, but it will make the cleanup a lot easier. 
• Arrange them on the baking sheet so that they are not touching each other. 
• If you’re afraid, your sausages may dry out, poke a few holes into them and spray a little water on them before placing them in the oven. 
• If you want to prevent your sausages from browning too much, place a sheet of aluminum foil over them while they are cooking.
  • Alternatively, if you want just a little browning but not too much, place the foil over the sausages until the last 5 minutes of cooking time. 
• The total amount of time it will take to reheat your sausages will vary, depending on the size of them and how many you are heating up.
  • A good trick is to stick a fork into one of the sausages. If the metal of the fork comes out warm, your meat is done. 
  • Another way to know if your sausages are ready to eat is to stick a thermometer in them. If the temperature reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit, they’re good to go. 

RELATED: How To Cook Breakfast Sausages – 5 Easy Tips

How To Reheat Sausages In A Frying Pan 

Just as you can prepare sausages on the stovetop when initially making them, you can also fry your sausage leftovers! 

This method is ultra-easy and will take you just 5 minutes to complete. 

The result of this is so crispy and addicting, you won’t want your sausages any other way!

If you want to get that irresistible golden brown finish, here’s what you need to know:

Pro Tips 

• Don’t skip out on the water, as this component is crucial for creating steam, which inevitably produces more moisture, making your sausages all the more juicy.
  • Saying this, it is also vital that you do not add too much water as it may make your sausages soggy. 
• You may be tempted to turn the heat to a higher temperature to speed up the cooking process. Do not do this!
  • A higher temperature may cause the skin to burn before the center is sufficiently warmed through (and vice versa- a lower temperature allows the meat inside to heat up without overcooking the exterior). 
• It’s important to keep in mind that while adding oil will make your sausages more crispy, they will be slightly more dry (in this case, you have to choose the lesser evil: a more soft skin or a more dry texture).
  • The best oils to use for frying include vegetable, canola and peanut oil, as they will not cause your chicken to take on a burnt flavor (as can be the case with olive oil, as it has a high smoke point). 
• Make sure to be attentive with this method, as once the water disappears, your sausages will brown quickly and may burn if left alone for too long! 

How To Reheat Sausages In The Air Fryer 

If you have an air fryer at home, you can also use this to reheat your sausages. 

Anyone who’s familiar with this appliance knows just how amazing and efficient it is. 

Simply heat it up, throw the sausages in and let the magic happen!

For more information, check out the following table:

Pro Tips

• While adding foil to the air fryer basket isn’t necessary, it will allow for an easier cleanup.
• If you decide to spray your sausages with oil, for a healthier alternative, opt for a low-fat one. 
• When you place the sausages in the air fryer, ensure you arrange them in a way that the pieces don’t touch each other (to avoid sticking as they fry). 
• It’s important to check on the sausages after two minutes, as air fryers have a tendency to cook the skin quickly before the meat inside is actually heated all the way through.
  • Even if the sausages appear done, they may not be warm on the inside.
    • To check if they are hot enough, you can either stick a fork into one of the sausages and check how hot the metal teeth are, cut the sausage open and check for steam, or use a thermometer (the temperature should be at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit for readiness). 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Store Sausages?

Storing your food properly is crucial for ensuring it retains the longest shelf life possible.

If you are planning on eating your leftover sausages within the next few days, your best bet is to store them in the fridge. To do this, complete the following steps: 

• After cooking them, make sure your sausages have come to room temperature. 
• Once they have cooled down sufficiently, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap (this helps to lock in the moisture, preventing your meat from drying out). 
• Place the wrapped sausages in an airtight container. 
• Store the container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • If you are planning on eating the sausages within 1-2 days, you can skip the plastic wrap step. 

If you are planning on eating your leftover sausages in the distant future, you can also store them in the freezer. 

Here’s how to do it: 

• After cooking them, make sure your sausages have come to room temperature.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange your sausages on it. 
• Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 2-3 hours (this process is known as flash freezing and helps to prevent your meat from sticking together).
• Wrap the sausages in plastic wrap and then in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag. 
• Remove any excess air. 
• Allow the sausages to be stored here for up to 6 months (they will still be safe to eat after this period but won’t have the same quality). 

How Long Do Sausages Last?

At room temperature, sausages will last up to 2 hours before developing bacteria. 

In the fridge, leftover sausages will last up to 4 days. 

In the freezer, sausages will retain their best quality for up to 6 months, however, will still be safe to eat following this. 

Can You Microwave Sausages? 

Yes, although it is not recommended, sausages can also be heated up in the microwave. 

If you’re in a time crunch, here’s what you have to do:

• Place the sausages on a microwave-safe plate. 
• Pierce a few small holes into the skin of the sausages. 
• Set a damp paper towel over top of the meat. 
• Heat the sausages in the microwave in 30-second intervals until fully heated through. 

How To Reheat Sausages In The Oven

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Sausages are brought to room temperature and then baked in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes (depending on size) on a foil-lined baking sheet until heated all the way through. 

Print

Materials

• Sausages Water (optional) 

Tools

• Oven
• Baking
• sheet Aluminum
• foil Spray
• bottle (optional)

Instructions

• Take the sausages out of the refrigerator and remove them from any containers they may have been stored

• Arrange the pieces so that they sit evenly spaced on a plate or platter for about 30 minutes, or until they come to room temperature

• Meanwhile, set the temperature of the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius)

• On an oven-safe baking sheet, arrange the sausage links For easier cleaning, line the baking sheet with aluminum foil first

• Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the preheated oven After 5-7 minutes turn the sausages over Bake for an additional 5-7 minutes

• When the sausages are sufficiently heated through, remove them from the oven

• Serve and enjoy!

How To Reheat Sausages In A Frying Pan

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Sausages are brought to room temperature and then fried in a skillet on medium-low heat in water for about 5 minutes or until the water has evaporated. For extra crispiness, sausages can then be cooked for an additional couple of minutes in oil. 

Print

Materials

• Sausage links Water Oil (canola, vegetable or peanut) : optional 

Tools

• Skillet with lid Tongs 

Instructions

• Take the sausages out of the refrigerator and remove them from any containers they may have been stored

• Arrange the pieces so that they sit evenly spaced on a plate or platter for about 30 minutes, or until they come to room temperature

• A few minutes before your sausages reach room temperature, set a pan on the stovetop Place enough water into the pan, so that it covers the base of it

• Set the burner to medium-low heat

• Place the sausage links in the pan in single file

• Place a lid over the pan

• Allow the sausages to cook until all the water has been evaporated (about 5 minutes)

• Make sure to turn them frequently  If you desire a crispier exterior and a more browned finish, add some oil and cook for a couple more minutes Serve and enjoy

How To Reheat Sausages In The Air Fryer

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

KFC is placed in the air fryer at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 15 minutes or until heated all the way through. 

Print

Materials

• KFC chicken Oil/water (optional)

Tools

• Air fryer Tongs Spray bottle (optional)

Instructions

• Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius)

• For easy cleanup, line the air fryer basket with foil

• For extra crispiness, spray each sausage link with either water or cooking oil Place each sausage link into the air fryer basket  

• Allow the sausages to fry for approximately 4-5 minutes Check on them after 2 minutes 

• When they are heated all the way through, remove the sausages from the air fryer using tongs

• Serve immediately 

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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!

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