Sausages are a true staple. Whether they’re served in the morning alongside eggs and bacon or dished up in the evening with mash and gravy, but, cooking them takes a while, so can you microwave sausages, and do they microwave well?
Although it’s not the best method for cooking sausages, it has got to be the most convenient. If you’re out of time and need to cook them super quick then here is the method you’ll need.
How to Microwave Sausages
Microwaving sausages isn’t too complicated, but there are a few steps you will want to follow before tossing them in:
- Cut Up and Prick
If the sausages are attached to one another, use scissors or a knife to split them. Then, prick the sausages several times using a fork.
- Place Into Microwave-Safe Dish
Lay the sausages into a microwave-safe dish, ensuring they remain in a single layer. Try to limit the number of sausages you microwave to 6 at a time. - Cover
Cover the sausages in the dish with a lid, cling film or kitchen towel.
- Microwave on High
Microwave on high heat for 2 to 3 minutes for two sausages, 4 to 5 minutes for four sausages or 6 to 8 minutes for six sausages. Check the sausages are cooked through after this time. - Optionally Peel Skins
The skins will peel from the sausages and be soft and chewy. It’s a good idea to remove the skins at this point if they have started to come away from the sausage. Pricking should prevent this.
- Optionally Brown
The sausages will be cooked at this point but will be a little unappetising in appearance. If you want to give them a little colour, add them to a hot pan with a splash of oil and brown all over.
- Serve
Serve as you usually would alongside your standard breakfast fare or a good helping of mash for dinner.
How to Microwave Different Types of Sausage
The method above works for most sausage varieties. But here are a few popular types and whether or not you can microwave them:
You can microwave chorizo. Slice it, place in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a lid or plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
You can microwave vegan sausages. Place them on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a paper towel, and heat on high for 1-2 minutes, turn them over, and then heat for another 1-2 minutes.
You can microwave Italian sausage. Pierce the sausages, put in a dish with a tablespoon of water, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on high for 5-6 minutes, turning once halfway through.
Yes, you can microwave raw breakfast sausage. Place them in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and cook on high for 1-2 minutes per sausage, checking for an internal temperature of 70°C to ensure they are fully cooked. Remember to turn them once during cooking for even heating.
Yes, you can microwave chicken sausages. Place them in a microwave-safe dish, prick them with a fork to allow steam to escape, and cover. Microwave on high for about 90 seconds per sausage, then check if they’re thoroughly cooked through before serving.
Why Sausages Explode in the Microwave
Sausages can explode in the microwave due to steam buildup. When sausages are heated rapidly in the microwave, the water content evaporates into steam.
Since microwave cooking can heat foods unevenly or very quickly, pressure can build up faster than it can be released, especially if the sausage skin is intact and doesn’t allow the steam to escape (that’s why I always prick my sausages).
Additionally, fats inside the sausage can get hot very quickly, and as they liquify, they can contribute to the buildup of pressure. The combination of expanding gases and hot fats can cause the sausage to burst open,
Tips for Microwaving Sausages
If you’re going to cook sausages in the microwave, then these are the tips you’ll want to follow:
- Prick Sausages: Pricking sausages before microwaving can prevent them from bursting and allows excess liquid to seep out. The last thing you want is a sausage exploding.
- Brown Quickly Afterwards: Unfortunately, sausages cooked in the microwave will lack colour and texture. Once they are cooked, it’s a good idea to quickly toss them into a hot pan to brown. Be careful, however, as the lack of skin will make them fragile.
- Drain: Liquid will drain from the sausages as they cook, so make sure you drain this liquid off. The liquid will be greasy, fatty and unpleasant to eat.
Microwave Sausages
Course: MainCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy2
servings1
minute5
minutes6
minutesThis is the easy way to cook sausages in the microwave
Ingredients
4 Sausages
Oil, Optional
Directions
- Separate sausages if they are joined together using scissors or a knife and then use a fork to prick them several times.
- Place the sausages in a microwave-safe dish in a single layer, with no more than six sausages at a time.
- Cover the sausages with a microwave-safe lid, plastic wrap, or a paper towel.
- Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes if cooking two sausages, 4 to 5 minutes for four sausages, or 6 to 8 minutes for six sausages, then check if they’re thoroughly cooked.
- After microwaving, optionally remove the skins from the sausages, as they will be soft and chewy.
- If you want to brown the sausages, now is the time to do it. Optionally add a splash of oil to a pan over a high heat. Add the sausages and brown them all over.
- Serve the sausages as part of your favourite breakfast or with mashed potatoes for dinner as you prefer.
Recipe Video
Ross is a freelance writer with a passion for delicious food and drinks, having worked in the hospitality industry in the past. He began working with Let’s Foodie when it first launched to provide information on how to reheat, freeze and microwave different foods.
