A Guide to Cooking Square Sausage to Perfection

Square sausage, also known as Lorne sausage, is a beloved breakfast food in Scotland This flavorful sausage is made from a mixture of ground beef, pork, rusk, spices, and water. It has a unique square shape and robust meaty flavor that makes it a tasty addition to any morning meal But to enjoy square sausage at its best, it’s important to know how to cook it properly.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through the different methods for cooking square sausage and provide tips to help you make it perfectly every time. Whether you’re an experienced cook or new to this Scottish delicacy, read on to become a square sausage pro!

What is Square Sausage?

Let’s start with a quick overview of what exactly square sausage is Some key facts

Made from a mixture of ground beef and pork, seasoned with spices.
Formed into a square log shape rather than cased in a traditional round sausage shape
Typically has a fat content of 15-25% for a juicy, rich texture.
Common seasonings include black pepper, nutmeg, coriander, and Diamond Kosher salt.
Originated in Scotland and is a staple of the full Scottish breakfast.
Also referred to as Lorne sausage or slice sausage.
Sold pre-made or can be hand-crafted at home.

Now that you know what sets square sausage apart, let’s look at the best cooking methods.

Grilling Square Sausage

One of the most popular ways to cook square sausage is by grilling. Here’s how to grill square sausage to perfection:

Pre-heat your grill to medium heat. You want a hot enough temperature to cook the sausage but not burn it.
Slice the square sausage into rounds approximately 1⁄2 inch thick.
Place the slices on a grilling tray, leaving a little space between each piece. Avoid overcrowding.
Grill for 6-8 minutes per side, flipping once. Check frequently to avoid burning.
Cook until the sausage is browned with visible grill marks. The interior should reach 160°F.
Optional: Brush with a small amount of oil or sauce during cooking to add flavor.

Grilling gives the square sausage a nice char while locking in its juicy flavor.

Pan-Frying Square Sausage

For a quick stovetop meal, pan-frying is a fast and easy square sausage cooking method. Here’s how it’s done:

Add 1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil to a skillet and heat to medium.
Slice the sausage into rounds or small cubes.
When the oil is hot, add the sausage pieces carefully to the pan.
Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes per side until well-browned.
Flip and rotate the pieces to cook evenly on all sides.
Reduce heat if the sausage browns too quickly.
Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

The benefit of pan-frying is that it adds nice browning while requiring little preparation.

Baking Square Sausage

For a healthier and mess-free option, square sausage can also be cooked in the oven. Here are some tips for baking:

Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Slice the sausage into 1⁄2 inch rounds and place on the sheet.
Avoid overcrowding. Leave space between each piece.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, flip, then bake 15 minutes more until browned.
Check temperature to confirm it reaches 160°F internally when done.
Can drizzle with oil beforehand for extra browning and flavor.

Baking gives you crispy, evenly cooked sausage without having to watch closely on the stovetop.

Microwaving Square Sausage

While not ideal, square sausage can be quickly microwaved when needed:

Slice the sausage into rounds approximately 1⁄2 inch thick.
Place in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
Microwave on HIGH for 45 seconds to 1 minute per slice. Duration depends on thickness.
Flip the slices halfway through and rearrange as needed.
Check temperature with a food thermometer to confirm the interior reaches 160°F.
Let rest 1 minute before serving.

Microwaving won’t brown or crisp the sausage but can be used in a pinch.

Tips for Cooking Square Sausage

Keep these tips in mind for square sausage success:

Always read packaging instructions when available. Follow suggested cook times.
Defrost frozen sausage thoroughly before cooking.
Use a food thermometer to check doneness, aim for 160°F.
Avoid piercing sausage frequently, which can cause juices to leak out.
Cook just until done, be careful not to overcook or sausage will be dry.
Add spices like paprika before cooking for extra flavor.
Fry an egg or tomatoes alongside the sausage in a pan for a complete meal.

With the right technique, you can enjoy tender and juicy square sausage any day of the week.

Serving Suggestions for Square Sausage

Once cooked, there are many delicious ways to serve and enjoy square sausage:

Full Scottish breakfast – The most traditional option! Fry alongside eggs, potato scones, black pudding, baked beans, mushrooms and toast.
Breakfast sandwiches – Add to an English muffin or bagel with egg and cheese for a satisfying sandwich.
Lorne sausage rolls – Slice the sausage and wrap in puff pastry with ketchup or HP sauce for dipping.
On pasta – Toss chopped, cooked square sausage with pasta and tomato sauce for a quick dinner.
In soups – Add meaty flavor to bean, potato, or tomato soups by slicing sausage as a topping.
On pizza – An excellent pizza topping option, particularly with caramelized onions and cheese.

Square sausage is wonderfully versatile, so get creative with how you use it in meals!

Making Homemade Square Sausage

Looking for a DIY challenge? You can also make square sausage from scratch at home. Here is an overview of the process:

Choose a beef and pork mix or use all beef or pork. Have meat ground to your preferred texture.
Combine ground meat with seasoning like salt, pepper, nutmeg, coriander, etc.
Add just enough water or stock to help bind the mixture together.
Form the mixture into a log shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment.
Refrigerate for at least one hour to firm up the sausage.
Once hardened, slice into rounds and cook as desired.

Homemade allows you full control over ingredients for a custom sausage.

With these helpful tips, you’ll be a square sausage expert in no time. This Scottish staple has a unique texture and robust meatiness that can elevate any breakfast. Experiment with different cooking methods to find your favorite, and enjoy this flavorful treat!

Scottish square sausage recipe. Cook with me! Lorne sausage 🙂

FAQ

How do you know when square sausage is cooked?

Add a little poultry fat or oil & fry the ‘square’ sausages for 3 to 4 minutes each side, turning frequently until thoroughly cooked. The ‘square’ sausages should be minimum core temperature of 75°C before serving. Sandwiched between freshly baked white bread, or with mashed potatoes & rich onion gravy.

How long does square sausage take to cook in the grill?

Grill: Remove all packaging. Place sausages under a moderately preheated moderate grill for 12-15 minutes, turning frequently. Ensure the food is piping hot before serving.

What’s the difference between square sausage and normal sausage?

The term ‘square sausage’ pretty much does what it says on the tin, but for context, instead of being put into casings like traditional link sausages, the sausagemeat mixture is formed into a block and sliced to make more of a ‘patty’.

How to cook frozen lorne?

Grill – cook for 6-8 minutes turning halfway through. Oven –preheat oven to 180C and cook for 6-8 minutes turning halfway through. Ensure cooked throughout and core temperature should exceed 75C. If frozen defrost thoroughly before cooking.

How do you cook a square sausage?

Remove the square sausage from its packaging and place it onto a suitable tray. Make sure to not place it directly under the heat source, and allow approximately 10cm of space. Grill the sausage for approximately 6-8 minutes, turning it occasionally to ensure even cooking. You can also use a plancha or griddle plate if you don’t have a grill.

Is sausage casing healthier option to eat?

Cellulose casings and some natural casings are perfectly fine to eat. Sausage casings are used to hold and shape filling inside so that it can be cooked. There are natural sausage casings and synthetic varieties, and most of them are edible. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Sausages provide high levels of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.

Is this sausage a square sausage?

Some people may have a hard time with the shape of this sausage for a couple of reasons: it’s not in the shape of a “normal” sausage, and even though it’s called square, it’s truly never exactly square. (with HP Sauce nearby), grilled tomatoes, potato scones and Lorne sausage in the center. Let me assure you, though, it really is sausage.

How do you Grill square sausage?

Grilling square sausage is a simple and easy method that results in a deliciously crispy and flavorful sausage. To start, preheat your grill to moderate heat. Remove the square sausage from its packaging and place it onto a suitable tray.