09-06-2025
Sausages will taste so much better when you do this one thing before frying
Frying sausages is one of the most popular methods to cook the British classic, but there is one thing you should always do before adding them to the pan
There's a nifty trick to ensure your bangers are cooked to perfection and bursting with flavour when you're frying them - and it all starts before they even sizzle in the pan.
Sausages are a quintessential British grub, whether they're starring in a full English, tucked into a sarnie, or simply savoured solo. While cooking sausages might seem like a doddle, getting that even cook throughout can be a bit of a pickle.
Frying is a favourite method for many, but there's a pre-fry step that guarantees a sausage that's cooked through and through. It's all too easy to get a golden exterior while the inside remains undercooked, leading to a disappointing bite when you're hankering after a hearty brekkie.
Cookbook author Carla Lalli Music has the solution: steam your sausages in a smidgen of water before they hit the frying pan. This ensures they're part-cooked within their skins, preventing the outside from overcooking before the inside gets its turn.
After all, nobody wants to sink their teeth into what they expect to be a deliciously cooked sausage only to discover it's still raw in the middle, reports the Express.
Not only does this technique ensure that the sausage casing clings to the meaty goodness inside, but it practically guarantees that none of those sizzling flavours escape during frying.
Once you've nailed the prep stage, brown those bangers in the pan, tossing them often until they reach a perfect all-over tan. The chef spilling the beans on top sausage secrets advocates for a medium heat – the sweet spot for the tastiest results.
The culinary whizzes over at Bon Appétit have also thrown their hats into the ring, championing the hot water method. They recommend plonking your links into a pot of aqua and letting them simmer softly until the magic happens, which is about 6-7 minutes in.
Conveying a community consensus, Reddit's legion of food fanatics are echoing the immersion approach. A user recalls steeped wisdom from their German grandparents: "I simmer in water in a skillet until they're cooked through, and brown them off on the same pan (in their own fat) after the water has evaporated. This is how my German grandparents taught me to cook sausage."
Another commenter revealed their motive for boiling sausages: "I always boil first to get as much grease out of them." So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen – the secret to locking in the tastiness of your sausages like a pro!