[Two knots]

This is the way that I cook Italian Sausage…it come moist and delicious,
with a crunchy outside…it’s delicious and fool proof.

First poke some holes in the sausage with a sharp knife, then place the
sausage in a skillet…I prefer cast iron, but any skillet will do.

Then put water in the skillet half way up on the sausage and bring to a boil.
turning the sausages occasionally. Simmer until all the water evaporates and
then after all the water evaporates drizzle a little olive oil in the pan and fry the sausages turning occasionally until they are nice and brown…this only takes about 5 minutes.
pics to follow.

 

[Two knots]

First pic is the water halfway up on the sausages…second pic is after all the water evaporates and third pic is after a little olive oil is drizzled over the sausage and they are then fried until the outside is crunchy. 😋

 

[Wooleybooger]

Yeah I've done that. Don't know where I saw it but yes they turn out very good like that.

 

[Roll_Bones]

I see those identical directions on most commercial sausage packaging. They want to make sure the sausage get up to the desired temp.
I just start on a medium heat and adjust accordingly.

 

[Two knots]

I’m surprised JV, that the directions are on commercial packaging to cook sausage this way.
A lot of Italian's that I know, have never heard of this method.

 

[Wooleybooger]

I’m surprised JV, that the directions are on commercial packaging to cook sausage this way.
A lot of Italian's that I know, have never heard of this method.

I don't think it's uncommon TK. Check this out, one of my favorite smoked sausages made about 100 miles from here.

https://www.heb.com/product-detail/kountry-boys-sausage-smoked-pork-and-venison-with-garlic-sausage-links/913684

 

[Two knots]

The difference Wolley, is that they boil it for 10 minutes in water…
I put the water halfway up the sausage and simmer it until
the water evaporates …this takes about 5 minutes, then
I drizzle a little olive oil and brown up the sausage for about
an additional 5 minutes. It comes very moist on the inside and
a crispy outside. 😋

 

[Wooleybooger]

Yeah I know. Just saying boiling it a few minutes isn't so uncommon.

 

[Shane R]

Air fryer. Breakfast links need 5 minutes @360. Perfect every time. A fat sausage like a brat or an Italian link needs maybe 8 minutes. A hot dog only needs 4 minutes.

 

[Two knots]

I cook brats like I cook Italian sausage, only I use beer halfway up…after the beer evaporates,
I drizzle a little olive oil and fry until the skin is crunchy, crunchy…it comes awesome👍 I like the hot dogs in the air fryer.

 

[Colbyt]

@ TK Gonna try your method tonight.

 

[Two knots]

@ TK Gonna try your method tonight.

cooking the sausages? Good for you!

 

[Colbyt]

I failed. You must have a gas cooktop. Wound up splitting them to finish the job.

 

[Two knots]

Yes, I have a gas cooktop…why didn’t they cook?

 

[Wooleybooger]

Sounds like he has an electric cooktop and can't get it to a slow simmer.

 

[Two knots]

Even on electric the water would eventually evaporate and then he could add the olive oil
to fry them up? I don’t know how he failed?

 

[Wooleybooger]

Maybe he didn't poke holes in them and they blew up or just wouldn't cook. Said he had to split them.

 

[Colbyt]

I put a bit much water in the pan. It boiled fine. After 7-8 minutes of boiling and a couple of turns I poured off the water and added the OO. I made the mistake of relying more on time than complete evaporation.

 

[Two knots]

Yes,you were suppose to just add water halfway up the sausage …then it evaporates in about 5 minutes….don’t give up, try it next time.

 

[Roll_Bones]

Air fryer. Breakfast links need 5 minutes @360. Perfect every time. A fat sausage like a brat or an Italian link needs maybe 8 minutes. A hot dog only needs 4 minutes.

I'm sure the air fryer does a good job. But I would rather have a frying pan to clean than the tray and basket with the air fryer. In fact it is this very reason I seldom use my air fryer. Cleaning.

I put a bit much water in the pan. It boiled fine. After 7-8 minutes of boiling and a couple of turns I poured off the water and added the OO. I made the mistake of relying more on time than complete evaporation.

There is absolutely no reason to start sausages in water or any liquid. I never do it and they always cook all the way through.
Just put your sausages in a cold frying pan and turn the burner to medium. Once they start to fry lower it to low and cover for awhile. Then remove the cover to brown up. This will cook them all the way through and crisp up the casing.
Using water at the beginning is done to ensure the sausage reaches a safe temp to serve. A fail safe if you will. It does not make the sausage any better.
Now I think beer and brats go well together. In this case I would cook the sausage as I explained above. Then add the beer and bring up to temp.
I have seen people cook them first in the beer then brown them up in the pan or on the grill.
Water is not required or necessary to cook, grill fry a sausage.
I never even heard of this until I read the cooking directions on the Johnsonville brat package.