How to Cook Pork Sausages From Frozen: A Complete Guide

Cooking pork sausages from frozen is easy and convenient. With a few simple tricks, you can enjoy deliciously juicy and flavorful sausages without having to plan ahead and thaw them first. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the various methods for cooking frozen pork sausages, as well as provide tips for choosing, storing, and serving sausage.

Why Cook Sausages from Frozen?

Cooking sausages directly from the freezer is a great time-saving technique. It eliminates the need to remember to transfer sausages from the freezer to the fridge to thaw overnight before cooking. It also allows you to whip up a quick sausage meal without much advanced planning.

Some people even prefer the texture and flavor of sausages cooked straight from frozen over thawed. The frozen center helps the sausage retain more moisture and plumpness as it cooks.

Choosing Sausages for Freezing

Most kinds of raw pork sausages freeze well and can be cooked directly from frozen. Some good options include:

• Breakfast sausages
• Italian sausages
• Bratwurst
• Kielbasa
• Chorizo
• Andouille

Avoid freezing pre-cooked sausages like hot dogs, which can turn rubbery when cooked from frozen.

For best quality choose sausages with natural casings rather than artificial ones. Look for sausages without too many filler ingredients.

Freezing and Storing Sausage

To freeze sausages:

• Leave sausages in their original packaging or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or foil. This prevents freezer burn.

• Place sausages in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing as much air as possible.

• Label packages with type and date.

• Freeze for up to 2-3 months for best quality.

• Once thawed, use within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze raw sausages after thawing.

Thawing vs. Cooking Frozen: Which Is Better?

You can either thaw sausages in the fridge before cooking or go straight to cooking them while frozen. Here are the pros and cons of each method:

Thawing First

Pros:

• Produces browned exterior more easily
• Allows seasoning sausages before cooking
• Gives more control over doneness

Cons:

• Takes 1-2 days to thaw in fridge
• Need to plan ahead
• Can lead to moisture loss

Cooking from Frozen

Pros:

• Extremely quick and convenient
• No planning required
• Helps sausage retain moisture

Cons:

• Slightly harder to brown the exterior
• Harder to add seasoning
• Less control over doneness

Overall, cooking from frozen is ideal when you want fast weeknight meals or forgot to thaw. For more low-and-slow cooking or added flavor, thaw first.

How to Cook Sausages from Frozen

Here are some of the best methods for cooking frozen pork sausages, from start to finish.

On the Stovetop

Stovetop cooking works well for quick meals.

• Add frozen sausages to a cold pan. Cover with water or broth.

• Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.

• Remove sausages and pat dry.

• In the same pan, add a bit of oil or butter and brown sausages for 2-3 minutes per side.

In the Oven

The oven produces evenly cooked sausages with hardly any effort.

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.

• Arrange frozen sausages on baking sheet without overcrowding.

• Bake 15 minutes. Flip sausages. Bake 10 more minutes until browned and 160°F internal temperature.

On the Grill

Get those nice grill marks by finishing cooked sausages on a hot grill.

• Parboil frozen sausages for 10 minutes.

• Drain and pat dry.

• Grill over high heat for 2-4 minutes per side.

• Move to indirect heat if needed to finish cooking without burning.

In the Instant Pot

The Instant Pot steams sausages gently with no oil required.

• Add 1 cup broth to Instant Pot and insert trivet.

• Add frozen sausages in a single layer.

• Pressure cook at high pressure for 3 minutes per inch of sausage thickness.

• Use natural release, then brown sausages in a pan if desired.

In the Air Fryer

The air fryer makes sausages crispy outside and juicy inside.

• Preheat air fryer to 400°F.

• Add frozen sausages without overcrowding.

• Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

• Increase temperature if needed in the last few minutes to brown.

Tips for Cooking Frozen Sausages

Follow these tips for the best results when cooking pork sausages straight from the freezer:

• Use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of relying on cook time. Cook to 160°F.

• Preheat pans and cooking vessels to prevent a drop in temperature when adding frozen sausage.

• Don’t crowd sausages too closely together or they will steam instead of browning.

• Let sausages finish cooking after removing from the oven or grill. The internal temperature will continue rising.

• Blot away any water that accumulates during cooking to help brown the sausages better.

• Brush with oil or butter and sauté after cooking to improve flavor and texture.

How to Tell If Frozen Sausages Are Bad

With proper freezer storage, sausages can last for months, but they don’t keep indefinitely. Signs that frozen sausages have gone bad include:

• Unpleasant, sour odor
• Grey, dull color instead of pink or reddish hue
• Dry, cracked casings
• Ice or freezer burn
• Mushy or slimy texture when thawed

Discard sausages immediately if they exhibit any odd colors, textures, or smells. Don’t taste questionable sausages!

Serving Ideas for Cooked Frozen Sausages

Pork sausages pair wonderfully with all different flavors and sides. Here are some fun serving suggestions:

• Sausage sandwiches – top with sautéed peppers and onions

• Sausage and potato hash – add eggs for breakfast

• Baked beans and sausage

• Sausage pasta bolognese

• Sausage stuffed potatoes or mushrooms

• Sausage gravy over biscuits

• Spicy sausage and shrimp jambalaya

• Sausage kabobs with vegetables

With the right cooking methods and some creativity, frozen sausages can be transformed into crave-worthy meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or anytime in between. Follow this guide for foolproof tips on defrosting, cooking, and serving sausage straight from the freezer.