What's in a sausage?
Sausages are a Kiwi favourite! These versatile little beauties are affordable and come in (almost) all shapes and sizes. They’re often made with finely minced pork or beef, seasoning, herbs, spices and sometimes a binding ingredient. But there are so many more types of sausage than that!
A good sausage has a balanced fat-to-meat ratio with 20-30% fat - considered perfect for deliciously succulent sausages. This is achieved by combining different cuts of meat from the animal. Higher-quality sausages have a meat content above 65% and use prime cuts of meat. Cheaper sausages contain lower quality meat, a higher fat content and more fillers.
Read on for some of our favourite sausage cooking methods and a few tips for mixing things up with the plethora of snags available in store.
How to cook sausages
Prep
Sausages don't need much prep. Just remove them from the fridge, snip links and bring to room temperature before cooking. If you have a large volume to cook, consider steaming the sausages first to cook the meat thoroughly, then all they'll need is browning.
Precooked sausages including the big red Saveloy Sausages are even more convenient as the prep has been done for you. They've been steam cooked during processing and are sold ready to sear in a pan or barbecue. They are a great choice when you have limited time or a large crowd to feed.
Different ways to cook sausages with cooking times
Oven baked sausages
Oven baking sausages is one of the healthiest ways to cook them as they don't require any extra oil. Place raw sausages on a lined baking tray and cook sausage for 20-30 minutes at 180 C turning regularly until evenly browned.
Cooking time: Raw sausages require 20 - 30 minutes. For pre cooked sausages, adjust the cooking time to 5-10 minutes.
Frying sausages
Add a teaspoon of sunflower oil to a cast iron pan, bring to a medium heat and fry the sausages gently, turning frequently until evenly browned and cooked through.
Cooking time: Raw sausages will take 12 - 15 minutes to cook through while pre cooked sausages will take 5 - 7 minutes.
Grilling sausages
Place the sausages on a baking tray and place under the indirect heat of a medium low grill. Watch closely and turn regularly until they are cooked through and brown all over.
Cooking time: Cook raw sausages for 15 - 20 minutes and pre cooked sausages for 7 - 10 minutes.
Cooking sausages in an air fryer
The air fryer is one of the healthiest and cleanest cooking methods. Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the basket.
Cooking time: Cook raw sausages at 180C for 10 - 15 minutes, stopping to turn every 5 minutes for even cooking. Pre cooked sausages need 5 - 10 minutes.
Barbecuing sausages
Barbecuing sausages is a popular way to cook sausages. The high heat and smoky flavours create a crunchy, juicy snag unmatched by other cooking methods. The sausages should be cooked through completely over the coolest part of the BBQ first, (or use pre cooked sausages). Once cooked use tongs to prevent piercing the skin and move the sausages to the hot side of the barbecue to quickly sear, creating delicious, charred grill marks and a crispy skin.
Cooking time: Cook raw sausages for 15 - 20 minutes and pre cooked sausages for 7 - 10 minutes.
Rest for a few minutes before serving in a bun with sauteed onions, mustard and tomato sauce.
How to cook sausages in the slow cooker or crockpot
Sausages are great for cooking in slow cooker casseroles or stews. Just as you would brown meat, we recommend you brown your sausages in a frying pan before adding them to the slow cooker. This is because they won't brown in the casserole and pale sausages don't look very appetising.
Cooking time: The cooking time will vary depending on your slow cooker settings.
For raw sausages allow 6 - 8 hours on low, 3 - 4 hours on high. Pre cooked sausages need 3 - 4 hours on low.
Pressure cooker
Cooking in a pressure cooker is a super-quick and hands-off way to achieve flavoursome and juicy sausages.
Hint: If your pressure cooker has a saute function, use that to brown the sausages for a couple of minutes each side. (You can also brown your sausages up in a frying pan before you begin or crisp them up under the grill at the end.)
Place your snags in the cooker and add about 1 cup (around 250ml) of water or broth.
Cooking time: Pressure cook under high pressure for 7-10 minutes for raw sausages and 5 - 7 minutes for pre cooked sausages.
Microwave
Microwaving sausages isn’t the best way to cook sausages but it is super-convenient if you are low on time and equipment!
Hint: For once you should prick the casing of the sausages as microwaving creates a lot of steam that needs to be released. Just a few small pricks will do!
Space out your sausages evenly on a paper towel (which will absorb the fat) and place another paper towel on top.
Cooking time: Microwave raw sausages on high power for around 2 to 4 minutes (flipping halfway through) and 30 seconds to 1 minute for pre cooked sausages. But the cooking time will depend on the wattage of your microwave (most are between 800-1000W), how many sausages you have and how thick they are.
Your best bet is to cut a sausage open to check. It should be fully cooked (not pink) and have clear juices. If in doubt, use a meat thermometer. Aim for around 75 degrees centigrade.
Hint: Be super careful not to overcook your sausages in the microwave. They’ll come out tough and rubbery!
In a pan with water
It might sound a bit unexciting but cooking sausages in a pan of water can be a good method particularly for thick sausages.
Hint: It’s best if you brown them at the end before serving.
Simply, place your sausages in a pan and cover them about halfway with cold water.
Cooking time: Bring raw sausages to a gentle simmer on a medium heat for 10 - 15 minutes. Pre cooked sausages will need 5 - 8 minutes.
Check the sausages are cooked and then drain the water and brown the sausages in a pan for a couple of minutes.
How long do sausages take to cook?
How long it takes to fully cook sausages depends on the type of sausage (more below), the cooking method, and the size or thickness of the sausage. Don't try to rush this process by turning up the heat. You'll end up with burnt skins and undercooked meat.
Here is a summary of the general cooking times depending on method:
Cooking Method |
Raw Sausages |
Pre-cooked Sausages |
|---|---|---|
| Oven baked | 20 - 30 minutes | 5 - 10 minutes |
| Pan fried | 12 - 15 minutes | 5 - 7 minutes |
| Grill / barbecue | 15 - 20 minutes | 7 - 10 minutes |
| Air fried | 10 - 15 minutes | 5 - 10 minutes |
| Slow cooked / crock pot | Low: 6 - 8 hours High: 3 - 4 hours |
Low: 3 - 4 hours |
| Pressure cooked | 7 - 10 minutes | 5 - 7 minutes |
| Microwaved | High: 2 - 4 minutes | High: 30 seconds - 1 minute |
| Boiled / simmered | 10 - 15 minutes | 5 - 8 minutes |
Top tips for perfect sausages
- Use a meat thermometer: a fully cooked sausage should have an internal temperature around 70 degrees centigrade
- For extra juiciness, rest sausages for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Best cooking methods and times for different types of sausages
Pork, Beef and lamb
Pork, beef and lamb sausages can all be cooked using the same methods, times and temperatures.
There are a few things to bear in mind:
- Pork sausages are most people’s go-to and are straightforward to cook.
- Beef sausages can be a lot leaner so be careful not to dry them out by overcooking.
- Lamb sausages tend to have higher fat content which can make them cook more quickly.
Chicken
Chicken sausages are lower in fat content and more delicate than pork, beef and lamb. It’s best to cook them at a lower heat for longer so they don’t dry out and get overcooked.
Remember, it is extremely important that chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature must be 75 degrees centigrade.
Cooking pre cooked sausages
Pre cooked sausages, like frankfurters, still need to be cooked before consuming.
Hint: As the name suggests, these sausages are almost cooked. It is really easy to overcook them and end up with dry and rubbery snags!
Boiling
Bring a pan of water to the boil, take off the heat then add the sausages. Cover with a tight fitting lid and steam for 15 minutes until piping hot. Check the internal temperature of the sausage is at least 70 degrees centigrade before removing. Finish on the grill, BBQ, hot pan or oven to brown.
Pan fry
Cook over a medium heat for about 5-8 minutes, turning regularly.
Microwave
Place in a microwave dish with a splash of water and cover with a paper towel. Heat on high for 30 - 60 seconds per sausage. So, 6 sausages would require 3 - 6 minutes total.
Grilling / barbecue
As with pan frying, keep the heat medium and grill for between 5 - 8 minutes, turning every minute or two.
Cumberland sausage
A British classic pork sausage that usually comes coiled. You can cook it like a regular pork sausage but just make sure you cook it gently to keep the juices inside to mix with the delicious black pepper and herbs.
Cooking method: The best method to cook cumberland sausages keeping the coil intact and minimising splitting is in the oven.
Cooking time: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees centigrade and place the sausages in a lined dish. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes making sure you turn the sausages halfway through.
Breakfast sausage
Breakfast sausages are usually made with pork mince and mixed with herbs and spices like sage, thyme, black pepper and salt. Unlike regular sausages, they usually come in smaller links (for faster cooking) and sometimes as patties (more of an American thing, less common in New Zealand). They tend to have a finer consistency than regular sausages.
Cooking method: Pan fry or oven bake.
Cooking time: Pan fry on a medium heat for 6 - 9 minutes. Oven bake at 180 degrees centigrade for 15 - 20 minutes (flip halfway through cooking).
Cocktail sausages / Cheerios sausages
Cocktail sausages (or, as we like to call them in NZ, Cheerios) are usually pre cooked but sometimes they can be bought raw.
Cooking method: Oven bake or air fry.
Cooking time: Bake cocktail sausages in the oven (180 degrees centigrade) for 20 - 25 minutes if raw, 10 - 15 minutes if pre cooked (turn them halfway through). Cook cocktail sausages in the air fryer at 180 degrees centigrade 10 - 15 minutes if raw, 5 - 10 minutes if pre cooked.
Venison
Venison sausages have a lower fat content than pork, beef or lamb. This makes it really easy to overcook them.
Cooking method:
The best ways to cook these gamey-delights is to:
- Pan fry on a medium heat
- Oven-bake at 180 degrees centigrade
Cooking time:
- Pan fry for 15 - 20 minutes
- Oven bake for 20 - 25 minutes (remember to turn the sausages halfway through).
Chorizo
Most chorizo is cured and is already good to eat. Simply slice it into rounds and pan fry on a medium heat for 2- 5 minutes until crispy.
TRY OUT THESE RECIPES
Storing sausages
Uncooked, fresh sausages can last in the fridge for 1 - 2 days after purchase (as long as they are within their use by date). Store them in an air-tight container in the coolest part of the refrigerator (usually the bottom shelf). Keep raw meat separate from cooked meat and fish to avoid bacterial contamination.
Cooked sausages can be refrigerated for up to 3 additional days (up to a maximum of 5 days).
Related guides
How long can sausages last in the fridge?
Freezing raw and cooked sausages
Common types of sausages available to buy in New Zealand
Pork sausages
They can be made from:
- Boneless pork shoulder or butt which contain the perfect 20-30% fat-to-meat-ratio for a juicy sausage
- Lean pork loin which requires additional fat to be added
- Pork belly which is mixed with leaner cuts of pork to reduce the fat-to-meat ratio
- Bacon which is great for adding flavour
Beef sausages
They can be made from:
- Beef chuck which comes from the neck, shoulder or ribs and has 15-20% fat content
- Beef brisket has a great fat-to-meat-ratio and is wonderful mixed with herbs and spices
- Eye round and sirloin tip leaner beef cuts
Sausages on a healthy diet
Healthier sausages are now being made with leaner types of meat including venison, lamb and chicken and this has broadened their appeal. If you're restricting calories or fat, you can still enjoy a tasty sausage for dinner. Avoid pork and choose a chicken sausage which is much leaner, or look for gourmet sausages where the sausage is less processed and filler-free. Choose a low fat cooking method like oven baked or BBQ grilled.
Ways to use up leftover sausages
There's no need to waste leftover sausages when they can be used up in so many different ways:
- Make sausage sandwiches
- Slice cooked sausages into pasta dishes
- Reheat in the microwave and add to your full English breakfast
- Add to an omelette
- Slice, reheat and add to baked beans on toast
- Toss into your favourite salad
- Add to your pizza topping
- Wrap in pastry to make sausage rolls
- Uncooked leftover sausages can be split and the filling removed. Cook in a pan with 1 Tbsp of oil, cauliflower rice, diced sweet potato and onion for a heartwarming one pan breakfast griddle
- Use sausage filling to make a meaty pasta sauce
Save money on meat and eat well for less
Buying meat like sausages is often cheaper than buying steaks and other cuts They’re the perfect way to make your weekly food budget stretch further so you can continue to eat well, whilst spending less. They’re available throughout the year and can be enjoyed fresh or frozen, their versatility has no limits.
Buying produce that is in season is another great way to budget wisely. Find out what else is in season at this time of year by visiting the PAK'nSAVE Fresh Market Update. You can also discover how to save money on meat here with our fresh guarantee.