Updated on July 10th, 2023
Nothing rivals delectable Italian sausage for rich flavor and sheer comfort. Italian sausage may be used in various delicious recipes, such as sausage and peppers, sausage and pasta, and so on, and it’s all down to the right preparation of the sausage.
This article will show you how to properly cook Italian sausage on the grill. We will provide details about the ideal cooking time and helpful tips to help you get the best results with your cooking. So, whatever the wonders you’re hoping to cook up with Italian sausage, we’ve got you covered.
Italian Sausage Nutrition Facts
Tips for Cooking Italian Sausage
These tips will prove very useful when cooking Italian sausage recipes:
Watch the temperature – When grilling sausages, one of the most common mistakes is to cook them at too high a temperature. The sausages will dry up and become charred on the outside if the grill gets too hot. Sausage links that are too brown on the outside but still raw in the middle, or skins that break and disintegrate, may come from cooking at too high a temperature, too rapidly, and unevenly.
Preheat the grill to medium, if possible. It’s best to utilize a 400-425 degrees Fahrenheit temperature, ideal for grilling sausages.
Italian sausage, unlike smoked sausage, must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F because it is a raw ground pork product. Perfect sausages can be made by gradually bringing them up to temperature and turning them for even browning. You can skewer them lengthwise or use a grill clamp to keep them from curling.
There’s no need to pierce the skin – Piercing the skin of Italian sausages is a common suggestion found in many recipes. However, it’s not the best method. Unfortunately, this will also allow all of those delicious juices to escape, undermining the point of encasing meat in an impenetrable barrier to keep the juices in.
Leave the lid closed – As much as possible, it is advised that you leave the lid of the grill closed while cooking the sausages. This allows the sausages to cook more evenly and give even better results.
Cooking Italian Sausage on the Grill
Stuffing seasoned ground pork into casing shells to make 6 inch long links is how Italian sausage is made. Fennel seed and red pepper flakes are commonly used in their production, and this combination gives Italian sausage its flavor and character.
When cooking Italian sausage on the grill, the following are the ideal steps to follow:
- Preheat the grill to medium-high temperature. If you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, a grill pan can cook the Italian sausages inside.
- Grill the sausages directly on the grill for 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully done.
- When the sausage is done cooking, put it to a dish or plate and keep it warm by tending it in foil. You could also keep the sausages warm on a rack in your grill while the vegetables cook over indirect heat.
- Grill sliced bell peppers and onions for 7-10 minutes, or until they have a good sear. The grilled peppers and onions will add a lot of flavor to the Italian sausage.
Grilled Italian sausages are delicious on their own or sandwiched between two buns. You could also top them with mustard, relish, sliced onion, hot pickled peppers, dill pickles, pickled zucchini, and sauerkraut, among other things.
How long to Cook Italian Sausages on the Grill
Place the sausages on the grill after it has been preheated, ensuring to leave some space between them. Allow the sausages to cook for 4-6 minutes with the lid closed.
Lift the grill top and flip the sausages over after 4-6 minutes. The sausages should have lovely grill marks on them by then.
Continue to cook for another 4-6 minutes with the lid closed. Then keep grilling for 3-4 minutes more, or until the sausages are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 165F.
Grilled Italian Sausage with Peppers
Ingredients
- Four mild or spicy Italian sausages
- One red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- One yellow bell pepper, sliced thinly
- One yellow onion, sliced thinly
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt & ground black pepper to season
- ½ cup of marinara sauce or your favorite store-bought sauce
- ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- Four buns or rolls of choice
- Fresh basil for garnish if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium-high temperature.
- Prepare the vegetables in a medium bowl by tossing the sliced peppers and onions with olive oil and ½ teaspoon each of salt and ground black pepper. Set these aside.
- It's time to put the sausage on the grill. Grill the sausages for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through, directly on the grill grates. When the sausage is done cooking, move it to a dish or plate and cover it with foil to keep it warm. You could also keep the sausages warm on a rack in your grill while the vegetables cook over indirect heat.
- Grill the vegetables in the meantime as the sausage cooks. Place the vegetables in a grill basket over medium heat and cook, frequently stirring, for 7-10 minutes, or until softened and charred.
- Next, assemble the rolls. Then, in each bun or roll, place a sausage. Add the grilled peppers and onions, two tablespoons of marinara sauce, and a dusting of mozzarella cheese to the top of the pizza. Then, place the prepared buns on the grill and cook for a minute or two over indirect medium-high heat to melt the cheese. Alternatively, you might grill the rolls for 1-2 minutes.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil if preferred.
This recipe for grilled Italian sausages promises a satisfying experience, as well as incredible tasting results. The total cooking time for this recipe is 30 minutes, with 10 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of actual cooking time. If you need more ideas for grilled Italian sausage recipes, then you should check out this video recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
