Can I cook sausages from frozen? Yes, it is perfectly safe to cook sausages from frozen. However, it can be more difficult to know when the sausage is fully cooked when you cook it in this way. That’s why you’ll often hear people advising to defrost sausages before cooking.
In this article, we’ll explain how to cook sausages from frozen, as well as exploring what other types of food you can safely cook straight from your freezer.
Should You Defrost Sausages Before Cooking?
Most people will recommend thoroughly defrosting any frozen meat before cooking. This is because we are used to cooking meat from fresh, so we know instinctively how to cook meat in this way.
However, this doesn’t mean that it isn’t safe to cook sausages from frozen. In fact, it is perfectly safe to cook most types of meat from frozen. The danger lies in knowing that the meat is fully cooked all the way through.
When you cook meat from frozen, you run the risk of the outer edge of the meat burning before the inside is fully defrosted. This is because the inside of the meat will take longer to defrost than the outside, so could still be raw even when the outside appears burnt.
The best way to check that your sausages are cooked properly all the way through is to use a meat thermometer. If the sausages are fully cooked, the thermometer should display a minimum internal temperature of 68 degrees Celsius, or 155 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that the sausages have been heated to a temperature at which any harmful bacteria will have been destroyed, leaving the meat safe to eat.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Frozen Sausages?
There are many different ways in which you can cook frozen sausages safely. However, the most common way to cook frozen sausages is by baking them in an oven. Follow the steps below to cook your frozen sausages in an oven.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celcius for a conventional oven, or 180 degrees Celcius for a fan oven.
- Line a baking tray with foil and brush it lightly with vegetable oil.
- Arrange the frozen sausages on the baking tray. If they are stuck together, this is fine, simply put them on the baking and spread them out as much as you can.
- Once the oven is up to temperature, place the baking tray in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Remove the baking tray from the oven and carefully separate the sausages. Then, brush them lightly with oil.
- Place the baking tray back into the oven for 15-20 minutes, removing it from the oven every 5-10 minutes to turn the sausages.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausages. If they are 68 degrees Celsius or higher, they are fully cooked and ready to serve. If they have not yet reached 68 degrees, place them back in the oven for a further 5 minutes and then recheck.
Can You Put Frozen Sausages On The BBQ?
Whilst it is possible to put frozen sausages on the BBQ, this is something that we would recommend. When you use a BBQ, the flames cook the outer layer of your food much faster than the inside, which could leave you with a sausage that is burnt on the outside but raw on the inside.
If you want to BBQ your frozen sausages, the best thing to do is to defrost them in the microwave before putting them on the BBQ. Alternatively, you could place your sausages on a baking tray, cover them with foil and bake them in the oven until they reach an internal temperature of 68 degrees Celcius. Then, you can transfer your sausages to the BBQ to crisp up, safe in the knowledge that they have already reached a safe internal temperature.
How Do You Defrost Sausages Quickly?
If you prefer to defrost your sausages before cooking, you might be wondering what is the fastest way to defrost them.
The fastest way to defrost sausages is using the microwave. Most modern microwaves will have a handy defrost setting that will enable you to set the weight of your sausages and then automatically defrost them for you.
You might also find that your oven has a defrost setting that enables you to defrost food quickly without needing a microwave. If you use either of these methods, you’ll need to check the sausages regularly as they defrost to ensure that they do not begin to cook.
You’ll know that your sausages are defrosted when they no longer feel crunchy to the touch. They should bend freely and easily when they are fully defrosted.
How Long Can Sausages Be Frozen?
Freezing meat is a great way to preserve it, helping you to save money and reduce your food waste. But how long can sausages be frozen for before they become unsafe?
It is recommended that sausages can be frozen for up to 2 months. During this time, the sausages will still taste their best. After 2 months have passed, it’s likely that the sausages will still be safe to eat, but they may not taste their best. That’s why it’s best to eat them as soon as possible, rather than storing them in your freezer for any longer than necessary.
Can You Cook Vegan Sausage From Frozen?
Vegan sausages are a great alternative to pork sausages for those who are vegetarian or vegan, as well as people who are trying to reduce their meat consumption. But can you cook vegan sausages such as Richmond meat free sausages from frozen?
The good news is that you can cook vegan sausages from frozen in a similar way that you would cook a meat sausage from frozen. The great thing about modern meat alternatives is that they cook in a very similar way to real meat. However, there’s also the bonus that you’ll be significantly less likely to contract food poisoning from vegan sausages if you don’t cook them for long enough, as they do not contain any animal products.
Most vegan sausages can be cooked in the oven or fried on the hob. It’s always best to check the packaging to find the recommended cooking method for your favourite vegan sausages.
In Summary
Freezing leftover meat before its best before date is a great way to reduce your food waste and save money. However, it may leave you with the question “Can I cook sausages from frozen?”
Luckily, it is both safe and easy to cook sausages from frozen, helping to save you time. The most important thing is to ensure that the sausage is fully cooked in the middle using a meat thermometer to minimise the risk of contracting food poisoning.