How to cook German sausages for the best results?

The Italians have pasta, the Japanese sushi and the Germans sausages as a source of their national pride.

These delicious, filling and often sinful meat products come in numerous sizes and compositions, all typical of a certain area of Germany. Cooking methods can also vary, from the grill to the oven.

With this abundance of options, it’s hard to know how to get the best results when cooking German sausage. But don’t worry about that; we will give you a detailed guide to the types of sausages and the most successful ways to cook them, so read on.

Know your German sausages

As we have said, there are many types of German sausages, but here we will introduce you to just a couple of the most famous ones that can be purchased in grocery stores around the world:

• Bratwurst is Germany’s most legendary sausage, and is made from finely minced beef and pork. It is usually grilled and served with bread and mustard, but it can also be spread with a ketchup-curry sauce and served as a currywurst .
• Thüringer Rostbratwurst is similar to bratwurst, but is flavored with caraway, marjoram, and garlic and formed with pork casings. Like the previous one, these sausages are most often prepared on the grill.
• Nürnberger Rostbratwurst is a type of bratwurst that is seasoned with additional seasonings. It also differs in its size, as it is served the size of a little finger. A serving usually includes six sausages combined with sauerkraut and potatoes.
• Blutwurst or black pudding is made from frozen cow or pig blood and fillers such as meat, bread, oats or fat. It is eaten cold and sliced on a piece of bread.
• Wei?wurst or white sausage is a traditional food from southern Germany, and is made of beef, bacon and seasonings (onion, lemon, parsley and cardamom). Traditionally, it is boiled and eaten without the skin . It is usually served with soft pretzels, mustard, and beer.

Different ways to cook German sausage

Although there are some traditional ways to prepare each type of German sausage, there is no law that prohibits you from experimenting, for example, by boiling bratwurst instead of grilling it. The most important thing is that it cooks well and evenly, regardless of the method. So we’re going to go over some of the most popular cooking methods, and you’ll be able to pick your favorite.

How is German sausage cooked?

Boiling bratwurst makes it well-done, but the sausage remains soft and juicy. So, if you’re up for this scrumptious delight, here’s your step-by-step guide to boiling bratwurst:

1. Put the sausages in the skillet or pot, but don’t let them overlap. The more space between the sausages, the better they will cook.
2. Pour in enough water to cover the sausages.
3. You can add half water and half beer for a more authentic German feel.
4. Let it boil for about 20 minutes. The lower and softer temperatures make the dish of better quality.
5. If you have bought pre-cooked sausages, boil them long enough to be hot.
6. If you want the sausages to be soft on the inside and crisp on the outside, you can put them in a pan to roast after they are cooked through.
7. Roasting the sausages for five to ten minutes (depending on your taste) will be enough. When the sausages brown on the grill, they are done.
8. You can even try a reverse process and roast them for ten minutes and then boil them for another 20 minutes.
9. To make sure that the sausages are really done, you should check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The temperature should be around 160°F (71°C).

How to poach German sausage in beer?

As we’ve already said, German sausage is best when paired with beer, so why not try poaching it in beer? The result is amazing juiciness and a flavor that cannot be compared to any other. For this process, you will need to gather the following ingredients: bratwurst (or another type of German sausage), six ounces of dark beer, and one white onion. This is what you will have to do

1. 1. Chop the onion into rings to make a nice spicy side to the sausage when it cooks.
   2. Melt a small piece of butter (enough to cover the entire bottom of the pan) in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat.

1. Add the chopped onion and let it brown in the melted butter.
2. Add the sausage to the skillet. Cook for two minutes on both sides until well browned.
3. Slowly pour the six ounces of beer into the pan. Cover with a lid and lower the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for about fifteen minutes.
4. Finish cooking the sausages in a grill pan (5 to 7 minutes) to get them crispy.
5. Serve on a plate along with the onion.

How to grill German sausages?

As you’ve seen, the previous two steps involve grilling as part of the cooking process, not the main method. Now, you will see the apparently simplest, but also complicated, way to cook these sausages:

1. Heat some oil in the grill pan. Put the sausages on the grill over medium-low heat to prevent them from opening up and being raw in the center.
2. Don’t set the heat too low either, as the meat inside may be overcooked.
3. The stakes are high when it comes to grilling sausages this way, which is why we recommend poaching them first. You can do this by putting them in a disposable aluminum pan along with chopped onions and greens, pouring some dark beer over the top, and simmering them in the grill pan for about 15 minutes. If you put them on the grill afterwards, the flavor will be beautiful and they will cook evenly. It will suffice to roast them for about three minutes on each side.

How to bake German sausages in the oven?

Baking in the oven is quite simple. All you have to do is

1. Preheat oven to 350?F (177?C).
2. Put the sausages in a roasting pan or cast iron skillet.
3. Cook for a total of 20 minutes, turning every five minutes.
4. Check the internal temperature. It should be 160°F (71°C).

Verdict

There are many other ways to cook German sausage to perfection. You can also roast them in the oven or smoke them (which is a much more complicated process), but these are some of the best. If you don’t believe us, try them. Regardless of the method you choose, bratwurst is best served with homemade bread or bun, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and other vegetables. Enjoy.