Polish sausage, also known as kielbasa, is a type of smoked sausage that originated in Poland. It’s made with pork and sometimes beef, and is seasoned with garlic, pimento, and other spices. Scott Pete is one of the most popular brands of Polish sausage in the United States. Their sausage has a signature smoky flavor and nice snap when you bite into it.
Cooking Scott Pete polish sausage properly is important to bring out its best qualities. Undercook it and you’ll end up with a tough, rubbery sausage. Overcook it and you’ll kill the smoky flavor and make it dry. Here I’ll explain the different methods for cooking Scott Pete polish sausage to crispy, juicy perfection every time.
Boiling
One of the easiest ways to cook Scott Pete sausage is boiling it. This method ensures the sausage is cooked through without drying it out.
To boil polish sausage
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Place the sausage in a large pot and cover completely with cold water. Use enough water so the sausages have room to move around a bit.
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Set heat to high and bring the water to a boil. Then lower heat to medium so the water is at a gentle simmer.
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Let the sausage simmer for around 10 minutes. The casing will start to swell and get plump as it cooks.
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Remove the sausage from the water and pat dry. At this point the sausage can be served, or you can use another method to brown it.
Boiling first and then browning after produces the best results. It cooks the interior fully while allowing you to crisp up the exterior for texture and flavor
Pan Frying
Frying in a skillet is a quick and easy way to cook Scott Pete sausage. It browns the exterior and warms up the interior.
To pan fry:
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Add a tablespoon of oil or butter to a large skillet over medium heat
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Add the sausages and roll them around to coat with the oil.
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Fry for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned.
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Poke the sausages with a fork – if the juices run clear they are fully cooked. If still pink inside, keep cooking for another couple minutes.
The key with pan frying is regulating the heat – too high and the outside will burn before the middle cooks through. For best results, use medium heat.
Grilling
Grilling imparts delicious smoky char and caramelized flavor to Scott Pete sausage.
To grill:
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Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F.
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Place sausages on grill and close lid. Grill for 8-10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
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In the last 2 minutes of grilling, score the sausages by making diagonal slices across them. This allows the smoky flavor to penetrate fully.
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Brush with your favorite bbq sauce during the last minute if desired.
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Test for doneness again by poking with a fork – clear juices mean it’s done.
Take care not to overcook on the grill. The high heat can quickly dry out the sausage if you leave it too long.
Baking
Baking is a hands-off approach to cooking Scott Pete sausage. The dry indirect heat from the oven thoroughly cooks the sausage without drying it out.
To bake sausage:
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Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Place sausage in baking dish and add 1/2 inch of water. This helps keep it moist as it cooks.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Test for doneness by cutting into the sausage to check internal color. When no longer pink, it’s finished cooking.
To get color on the casings, you can broil for 1-2 minutes at the end. Keep a close watch to avoid burning.
Slow Cooking
Using a crockpot or slow cooker is an easy hands-off way to cook polish sausage. The low gentle heat tenderizes the sausage over time.
To slow cook:
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Add sausage to crockpot and add enough chicken or beef broth to come halfway up the sausage.
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Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours. The sausage will plump and become fall-apart tender.
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To brown the casings, you can quickly broil or pan fry right before serving.
The only downside to slow cooking is you don’t get the browned exterior. Combine it with another method to crisp things up before eating.
Tips for Perfectly Cooked Sausage
Follow these tips for the highest quality and best tasting Scott Pete polish sausage every time you cook it:
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Always use low to medium heat – high heat causes exterior to overcook.
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Boil or simmer first, then finish with searing or broiling methods.
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Grill or pan fry for 1-2 minutes after boiling for the perfect combo texture.
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Score or poke sausages before grilling or broiling so insides cook evenly.
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Cut into sausage to check internal color – should be no trace of pink when fully cooked.
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Add beer, broth, or water when cooking to keep sausage moist and prevent drying out.
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Reheat leftover sausage gently and slowly – microwaving makes it rubbery.
With the proper techniques, Scott Pete polish sausage comes out tender, flavorsome, and ready to enjoy! Experiment with different cooking methods and flavor combinations to find your favorites.
Delicious Ways to Use Cooked Scott Pete Sausage
Once you’ve mastered cooking Scott Pete polish sausage, there are endless tasty ways to eat it! Here are some of my favorite recipes and serving suggestions:
Breakfast
- Chopped up in breakfast burritos or tacos
- In omelets or breakfast scrambles
- Breakfast casserole with eggs, veggies, and cheese
- Cut in chunks in fried potatoes or hash
Appetizers
- Slice thinly and serve with crackers and mustard
- Cut into chunks for sausage cheese balls
- Skewer for sausage bites with pineapple and peppers
- Add to mini baked potatoes
Main Dishes
- Slice and add to pizza
- Grill or pan fry for sausage sandwiches
- Add to cabbage rolls, stuffed peppers, or stuffed shells
- Make jambalaya, gumbo, or sausage pasta bakes
Soups and Salads
- Slice or chunk for sausage bean soup
- Add to cabbage soup, minestrone, or chili
- Grill and slice over spinach salad
- Feature in sausage potato salad or pasta salad
Sides
- Sauté chunks with peppers and onions
- Grill slices and serve with roasted vegetables
- Bake and cut up over fried potatoes
- Mix into dirty rice, rice pilaf, or stuffing
With so many ways to cook and enjoy Scott Pete sausage, you’ll never get bored. Try out new flavor combos and recipes anytime you grab a pack of this Polish sausage classic.
Scott Pete Hot Beef Polish Sausage – Oven Baked
FAQ
How do you cook Polish sausage?
How to air fry Scott Peterson Polish sausage?
How to cook fully cooked smoked sausage?
How do you cook fried Polish sausage?
Follow these steps to enjoy fried Polish sausage: Put about ¼ inch of water in the pan and turn to medium heat. Place the sliced sausages into the pan. If you are cooking them whole, use a fork to poke holes into the sausage. Simmer until the water evaporates which usually 10-15 minutes, depending on how much water you use. Add some oil to the pan.
How do you boil Polish sausage?
To boil Polish sausage, simply follow these steps: Fill the pot ⅔ full with water and add the additional seasonings to the pot. Place the pot over a stove on a high heat and bring to the boil. Once the water has started to boil, add the Kielbasa. Reduce the stove to a medium-low heat. Allow the pot to simmer until the sausage is cooked.
Are Scott Pete’s sausages good?
A Chicago original for nearly a century now, Scott Pete’s are the only sausages hearty enough to satisfy this “City of the Big Shoulders.”
How do you cook Polish sausage on a grill?
Here’s the best way to grill Polish sausage: Use a paper towel to apply some oil to the bars of the grill so they don’t stick. Turn the grill on a medium heat, and allow the to warm. Once ready, place the sausages on the grill, closing the cover to allow for proper circulation. Leave to cook for 4 minutes.