Mastering the Art of Cooking Drake Sausage to Perfection

Drake sausage from Drake Meats in Saskatchewan, Canada is a tasty smoked sausage with a devoted following But to truly enjoy the flavors of Drake sausage, it’s crucial to know how to properly cook it. In this complete guide, I’ll walk through the best cooking methods and tips for making Drake sausage shine

Overview of Drake Sausage

Drake sausage contains a blend of pork, beef, and Drake’s signature blend of spices It comes in variants like maple, garlic, and jalapeno cheese. The mild smoky flavor comes from natural hardwood smoke.

It’s important to note Drake sausage is not pre-cooked when purchased. It needs thorough cooking to 165°F internal temperature before eating for food safety.

Below I’ll cover the top techniques for cooking delicious Drake sausage at home

Grilling Drake Sausage

Grilling imparts a delicious char while accentuating the subtle smoky essence. Follow these steps:

• Preheat grill to medium heat, around 375°F.

• Place sausages directly on grates and grill for 12-15 minutes, flipping occasionally.

• Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temp reaches 165°F.

• Let sausages rest 5 minutes before serving.

For extra flavor, baste with barbecue sauce or maple syrup glaze in the final few minutes.

Pan-Frying Drake Sausage

Pan-frying makes an easy, fast meal with crispy browned bits.

• Add oil to a skillet over medium-high heat.

• Add sausage links and fry 8-10 minutes, turning periodically.

• Fry until internal temperature hits 165°F.

• Optionally, add veggies like peppers and onion during the last 5 minutes.

The caramelization from pan-frying gives a delicious texture.

Baking Drake Sausage

For hands-free cooking, baking is a great option:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.

• Arrange sausages on a baking sheet.

• Bake 20-25 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.

• Flip sausages halfway through for even cooking.

Try topping with barbecue sauce or bake a sausage casserole.

Sautéing Drake Sausage

Sautéing makes flavorful crumbled sausage for pasta, pizza, salads and more.

• Cut sausage into 1⁄2 inch slices.

• Sauté in oil over medium-high heat, stirring often until browned, about 8 minutes.

Steaming Drake Sausage

Steaming keeps the sausage moist and juicy:

• In a pot, bring 1 inch of water to a boil.

• Place sausage in steamer basket above water.

• Steam covered for 15 minutes until 165°F internal temperature.

• Check water level and add more as needed.

Steaming yields plump, flavorful sausage safely cooked through.

Smoking Your Own Drake Sausage

You can even smoke Drake sausage yourself for extra flavor:

• Prepare smoker or grill for smoking at 225°F.

• Add soaked wood chips – apple, hickory or mesquite work well.

• Place sausage on grates and smoke 1-2 hours until 165°F internal temperature.

DIY smoking infuses smoky essence and crispy edges.

Cooking Drake Sausage: Key Tips

Follow these tips for perfect Drake sausage every time:

• Use a meat thermometer and cook to 165°F.

• Rotate and flip sausages for even cooking.

• Let sausages rest 5 minutes after cooking.

• Season or marinate before cooking to add more flavor.

• Ensure sausages are fully cooked with no pink spots.

Serving Suggestions for Drake Sausage

Once cooked, Drake sausage can be served deliciously in many ways:

• In omelets, breakfast tacos or sausage sandwiches

• On pizza with favorite toppings

• Added to soups, chili or gumbo

• On top of macaroni and cheese casserole

• In jambalaya or dirty rice

• On kabobs or skewers with veggies

• Crumbled over salads or baked potatoes

• In sausage gravy served over biscuits

Mix and match toppings and sides to highlight Drake’s signature sausage.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

To store leftover cooked Drake sausage:

• Allow sausage to fully cool before refrigerating.

• Store in airtight container up to 4 days.

• Freeze for longer storage of 2-3 months.

Reheat thoroughly to 165°F before eating again.

Where to Buy Drake Sausage

Drake sausage can be purchased directly from Drake Meats online or found at select stores near Saskatchewan. Check your local specialty butcher or grocer.

It can also be ordered through mail order websites shipping Drake Meats products nationwide.

Execute Sausage Greatness

With so many flavorful varieties, Drake sausage is easy to incorporate into any meal. Now that you’re armed with techniques for grilling, steaming, baking and more, you can cook Drake sausage like a pro. Impress your family with scrumptious smoked sausage cooked to perfection.