Cook frozen sausages without thawing them first. You can bake them in the oven or precook them before browning them in a pan or on the grill.
I often buy more sausages than we need for a barbecue and freeze the rest. When I forget to take them out in time, I cook the sausages straight from the freezer instead.
The oven is the easiest method: bake the frozen sausages for 10 minutes, separate them if they are stuck together, and continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes. For the pan or grill, I simmer them in water first and then brown them for about 5 minutes.
These methods are for raw frozen sausages such as bratwurst or Italian sausages. Precooked sausages, including hot dogs, Wieners, and Frankfurters, only need to be heated through.
For more frozen-meat recipes, learn how to Cook Frozen Chicken Thighs in the Oven, make Baked Frozen Chicken Breast, or Frozen Ground Beef in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients: 1 + oil | Prep Time: 2 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 3 | Difficulty: Easy
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How to cook frozen sausages in the oven?
The oven is my preferred method because the sausages cook evenly and need very little attention.
Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C conventional or 375°F/180°C fan. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush it lightly with oil.
Step #1: Place the frozen sausages on the prepared baking sheet. If they are stuck together, bake them as they are for 10 minutes.
Step #2: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Separate the sausages, brush them lightly with oil, and leave some space between them.
Step #3: Bake for another 15-20 minutes, turning them once or twice.
Step #4: Increase the oven temperature to 430°F/220°C during the final 5 minutes if you want them more deeply browned.
The exact baking time depends on the thickness of the sausages. Check the internal temperature before serving.
If the sausages are cooked but too pale, place the baking sheet under a hot grill for a couple of minutes, turning once. Watch closely - they can burn fast. I usually skip this step, as I'm fine with their color.
How to cook frozen sausages in a pan?
Pre-cook
I prefer to pre-cook frozen sausages in water before frying them. This ensures that they are cooked in the middle without becoming too dark on the outside.
Step #1:Â Place the frozen sausages in a saucepan or pot and cover them with water. Bring the water slowly to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Step #2: Technically, they're safe to eat now - but they don't look or taste like proper sausages yet. To achieve the right flavor and appearance, you'll need to pan-fry or grill them. Pat them dry before you place them in the pan.
Pan-fry
Step #3: Heat a cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan and brush it lightly with oil. Add the sausages and reduce the heat to medium.
Step #4: Fry them for about 5 minutes, turning them often until they are nicely browned on all sides. Reduce the heat if they color too quickly.
Brats on the Stove with beer are also delicious!
Grill pan
Simmer the frozen sausages for about 15 minutes as described above.
Step #5: Pat them dry and place them on a hot, lightly oiled grill or grill pan.
Step #6: Grill them for about 5 minutes, turning often until evenly browned. They are already cooked after simmering, so this step is mainly for color and flavor.
Cook in the air fryer
Preheat the air fryer and cook the frozen sausages for 6 minutes. Separate them if they were stuck together and brush them lightly with oil.
Turn them with tongs and continue cooking until browned and cooked through. The time depends on their thickness and your air fryer. See my Air Fryer Frozen Brats for complete instructions.
Safe internal temperature for cooked sausages
Raw pork and beef sausages should reach an internal temperature of 160°F/71°C. Chicken and turkey sausages should reach 165°F/74°C.
Insert the thermometer into the center of a sausage without pushing it all the way through. If you don't have an instant-read thermometer, cut one open in the middle. The meat should be cooked through and piping hot, without any raw or pink areas.
How to cook pre-cooked frozen sausages?
Place frozen hot dogs, Wieners, or Frankfurters in a pot and cover them with hot water. Heat them gently until they are piping hot inside. There is no need to boil them vigorously, as this can cause the skins to split. I often use them in German Lentil Soup.
Frozen smoked sausages can also be added directly to soups and stews. Let them soften for a few minutes if you need to slice them first.
Tips
If the sausages are frozen together, don't try to force them apart. Heat them for about 10 minutes in the oven or for a few minutes in the simmering water; they will then separate easily.
Don't pierce the sausages before cooking. The juices will escape, and the sausages may become dry.
Cooking time depends more on thickness than length. Thick sausages may need several additional minutes.
Turn the sausages several times while browning so that they cook and color evenly.
Store and reheat
Refrigerate cooked sausages in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Reheat them in the microwave, oven, air fryer, or pan until hot throughout. You can also slice cold sausages and add them to soups, stews, casseroles, potato salad, pasta, or rice dishes.
Cooked sausages can be frozen again. Let them cool completely, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, and freeze them for up to 2 months.
Chop the cold sausages and add them to soups, stews, casseroles, potato or noodle salad, risotto, or other rice dishes.
What to serve with them?
You can also serve the sausages in a bun with mustard or ketchup, Cooked Sauerkraut, onions, and sliced pickles.
Other good sides are fries, German potato salad, or Smashed Fingerling Potatoes.
Recipe
How to Cook Frozen Sausages
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 6 raw frozen sausages such as bratwurst or Italian sausages, Note 1
- 1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Instructions
Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush it lightly with oil.
- Pre-bake: Place the frozen sausages on the prepared baking sheet. If they are stuck together, bake them as they are for 10 minutes (Note 2). 6 raw frozen sausages
- Separate: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Separate the sausages, brush them lightly with oil, and arrange them in a single layer with some space between them.1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- Finish baking: Bake for another 15-20 minutes, turning once or twice, until cooked through. Increase the temperature to 430°F/220°C during the final 5 minutes if you want the sausages more deeply browned (Notes 3,4,5)
Pan:
- Pre-cook: Place the frozen sausages in a saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water slowly to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.
- Dry: Remove the sausages from the water and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Brown: Heat a cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan and brush it lightly with oil. Fry the sausages over medium heat for about 5 minutes, turning often until browned on all sides.
Grill:
- Pre-cook: Simmer the frozen sausages for about 15 minutes as instructed above, then pat them dry.
- Grill: Place them on a hot, lightly oiled grill or grill pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, turning frequently until evenly browned.
Notes
- Type of sausage: These instructions are for raw frozen sausages such as bratwurst or Italian sausages. Precooked sausages only need to be heated through.
- If the sausages are frozen together, don't force them apart. They will separate easily after about 10 minutes in the oven or a few minutes in simmering water.
- Cooking time depends on the thickness of the sausages. Check the internal temperature before serving.
- Internal temperature: Pork and beef sausages should reach 160°F/71°C. Chicken and turkey sausages should reach 165°F/74°C.
- You can broil the sausages briefly at the end if they are cooked but still pale. Watch them closely because they can darken quickly.
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