Ah, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the juicy tenderness of a succulent chicken breast, or the mouthwatering aroma of a slow-roasted pork shoulder – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-cooked piece of meat.
But as any seasoned chef will tell you, achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and safety is all about cooking meat to the correct internal temperature. Like any other meat, sausage has to be cooked to the proper temperature in order to be both delicious and safe to eat.
What Is The Right Internal Temperature For Sausage?
The right internal temperature for sausage is 155°F (68.3°C). The temperature should be taken with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. It is important to note that the temperature should be taken in the center of the meat, not the edges.
How To Cook Sausage To The Right Internal Temperature
The best way to ensure that sausage is cooked to the right internal temperature is to use a thermometer. However, a typical method would be to cook it at a temperature of 165°F (73.9°C) for 15-20 mins.
It is also important to keep in mind that the internal temperature of sausage will continue to rise after it is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to remove the sausage from the heat source when the thermometer reads 155°F (68.3°C). This will ensure that the sausage is cooked to the right internal temperature.
Why Is Internal Temperature Important?
Cooking food to the right internal temperature is essential for food safety. Bacteria can cause foodborne illness when food is not cooked to the right temperature.
Sausage is particularly susceptible to foodborne illness because it can contain higher levels of bacteria than other meats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that sausage is cooked to the right internal temperature in order to avoid foodborne illness.
When Cooking Sausage, It Is Important To Keep The Following Tips In Mind:
1. Always cook sausage slowly over low heat.
2. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausage. It should be cooked to 160 degrees F.
3. Do not prick the sausage while it is cooking. Pricking the sausage will cause the juices to run out and the sausage to be dry.
4. Cook sausage on a griddle or in a cast iron skillet for the best flavor.
5. Sausage can be easily cooked in the oven. Simply place the sausage on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.
6. Add some spice to your sausage by adding herbs and spices to the sausage before cooking.
7. For a milder sausage, cook the sausage in water or chicken broth.
8. To avoid your sausage from sticking to the pan, cook the sausage in oil.
9. Sausage is often cooked with other ingredients such as onions, peppers, and potatoes.
10. Sausage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Sausage Recipes
Recipe 1. Oven-Baked Breakfast Sausage and Potato Casserole
Ingredients:
1 pound pork breakfast sausage
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced red pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
3. Add onion, celery, red pepper, garlic powder, black pepper, thyme, sage, and salt. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in flour.
5. In the prepared dish, layer the hash browns, sausage mixture, and cheese. Pour milk over top.
6. Drizzle with melted butter.
7. Bake for 45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.
Recipe 2. Sausage and Egg Muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups milk
6 eggs
12 English muffins, split and toasted
1. In a large skillet, cook sausage, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
2. Stir in the flour, salt, thyme and pepper until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
3. Beat eggs; add to the pan. Cook and stir until eggs are completely set.
4. Serve on muffins.
Sources
1. Team, I. (2015, February 3). Sausage Cooking Tips – Isernio’s Premium. Isernio’s Premium. https://isernio.com/recipe-items/sausage-cooking-tips/#:~:text=Sausages%20should%20reach%20an%20internal,side%20in%20an%20oiled%20skillet.
2. Bake It With Love. (2022, September 8). Sausage Internal Temperatures. https://bakeitwithlove.com/sausage-internal-temperatures/