There’s no denying that sausage is one of the most versatile foods you can have in your fridge or kitchen cupboard.
It is possible to use sausage for various recipes, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can prepare it in a multitude of different ways.
Smoked sausage is delicious. It is a favorite dish of many people. Therefore, you may be wondering: “is smoked sausage already cooked?”
Today, I will help you answer the above question and provide you with much more valuable information about that topic!
Is Smoked Sausage Already Cooked?
The answer is yes. Most smoked sausages are fully cooked stuff that is safe to eat. Yet, there are smoked sausages that may be uncooked via cold smoking.
If you have your cooked sausages, it is okay to consume them. Specifically, you can use your sausages without cooking them if they have been cooked with curing salts before air-drying them.
Some recommended salts for this process are sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate.
Curing is related to one method that allows you to protect and preserve your meat, similar to smoking. However, curing is more effective than smoking.
When talking about smoking sausage, two ways allow you to get the job done.
The first process is hot smoking sausage (from 140°F to 180°F) which will cook your meat. The other method is cold smoking sausage (below 85°F) which will require you to cook your sausage before enjoying it.
When referring to store-bought sausages, reading their label is essential.
You need to focus on the words like “Cook before eating,” “Uncooked,” “Need to be cooked,” or anything similar. It is a sign that you must cook these sausages.
Most bratwursts, wieners, frankfurters, and hot dogs, are precooked. Meanwhile, fresh sausages may include Mexican chorizo and some breakfast sausages.
If you buy uncooked, fresh sausage, it is okay to smoke it yourself. But ensure you will hot smoke it at the proper temp to handle it properly.
What Happens When You Eat Undercooked Sausages?
Eating undercooked food can put you at risk of illness, and undercooked sausages are no exception.
According to CDC, consuming sausages that are undercooked is highly likely to cause Trichinosis, which is a food-borne infection. It is the result of the consumption of undercooked or raw meat products from the infected animal.
The symptoms of this illness include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Besides, you might face some typical signs, such as constipation, high fever, muscle pain, and more.
If you feel at high risk for this disease, you need to seek medical attention soon.
You can take advantage of prescription medications prescribed by your doctor. However, you should start treatment as soon as possible for the best results.
How to Tell When Smoked Sausages Are Cooked?
Using a high-quality meat thermometer is the best way to determine if your whole smoked sausages are safe to eat.
It will be safe to consume your sausages when their center reaches 160ºF, which is considered “the safe zone.“
For some sausages, such as smoked chicken or turkey sausages, it’s wise to ensure its core hits 165ºF. If you choose to bake your sausages, a cooking time of 20 to 25 minutes is fine.
You can also use your sight to determine if your sausages are safe to eat. The exterior of your sausages should be a bit charred without burning. Also, they should reveal a pink core when you slice them.
Of course, we do not recommend relying on your sense of smell or sight alone to ensure your sausages are thoroughly cooked.
It is always wise to use a meat thermometer to get the most accurate reading.
What are the Best Ways to Cook Your Smoked Sausages?
One of the best ways to cook your smoked sausage is to use a pan or grill.
Start by adding oil to your pan and heat it on medium heat before adding your smoked sausages.
Once you have placed your sausages on a grill or pan, leave them for around 10 to 15 mins. Remember to flip your food to ensure it cooks evenly on all sides.
Furthermore, to ensure your smoked sausages cook thoroughly and uniformly, it is okay to cut sausages butterfly-style or score them.
If you don’t have a grill, using your stovetop is okay to fry smoked sausages. All you need to do is put oil in your thick-bottomed frying pan and heat it over medium heat. After that, add your food to this pan.
Then, process your sausages for about 8 to 10 mins and flip them several times so they can cook evenly and thoroughly on all sides.
If you want to speed up your cooking process, slicing your sausages is a good idea. It is alright to add some oil when cooking your sausages.
FAQs
Do You Have to Refrigerate Smoked Sausage?
Yes. Smoked sausage must always be refracted unless they are also dried.
How Long is Smoked Sausage Good for in the Fridge?
Smoked sausages can last for three to four days in a fridge.
How Long Can Smoked Sausage Sit Out?
All types of sausages should be thrown out after two hours at room temperature.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, you’ve got the answer to, “Is smoked sausage already cooked?”
Most smoked sausages have been safely cooked or processed before you consume them. You just need to reheat them according to the instructions.
Smoked sausage is a delicious, nice treat that you can have. But you must determine if your sausage has been hot smoked or cured.
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Thank you for reading!
