Conecuh sausage, the delectable creation of the Conecuh Sausage Company, hails from Conecuh County, Alabama, and is renowned for its enticing flavors. This smoky and savory sausage is available in six delightful varieties: original, hickory, all-natural hickory (no MSG), spicy & hot hickory, cajun, and cracked black pepper. Are you ready to learn how to cook Conecuh sausage to perfection? Let’s dive in!
Cook Conecuh Sausage in the Oven
Cooking Conecuh sausage in the oven yields a crispy and evenly cooked result that will leave you craving more. Whether starting from raw or frozen, the oven method takes 25 to 40 minutes, depending on the state of the sausage.
Ingredients and Materials:
- Defrosted or frozen Conecuh sausages
- Nonstick baking sheet or a large cast iron skillet
- Kitchen tongs
- Oven mitts
- Meat thermometer
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the baking pan, covered with a baking sheet or parchment paper, onto the middle oven rack.
- Remove the sausages from the packaging and poke a hole in each inch of sausage using a fork or a knife. This will render the fat quicker, resulting in a tastier cooked sausage.
- Cut the sausages into 4-inch pieces for a shorter cooking time, or leave them as they are before placing them onto the pan and in the oven.
- After 10-15 minutes (raw) or 20-25 minutes (frozen), remove the sausages from the oven using oven mitts, and turn the sausages using kitchen tongs to brown the bottom sides.
- Place the sausages back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes (raw) or 20-25 minutes (frozen), while keeping an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn. Remove them from the oven when the internal temperature of each sausage reaches 165°F (measured with a meat thermometer) and serve immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice.
Conecuh sausage adds a delightful touch to popular baked dishes such as cornbread, baked beans, pizza, hash brown casserole, and macaroni and cheese. You can also savor it in appetizers like bacon-wrapped sausage, Conecuh wontons, or as pigs in a blanket.
Grill Conecuh Sausage to Perfection
Grilling Conecuh sausages offers a smoky and crispy delight that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. The grilling process takes between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on the state of the sausages.
Ingredients and Materials:
- Defrosted or frozen Conecuh sausages
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Kitchen tongs
Instructions:
- Light the charcoal, gas, or electric grill, and set it to medium to high heat. Add a layer of cooking oil to the grill grates and let it preheat for 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 275°F.
- Cut the Conecuh sausages into 6-inch chunks, prick the sausage casings with a fork or knife, and place the sausages on the grill plates with space between each sausage.
- Use kitchen tongs to turn the sausages every two to four minutes to ensure an even sear.
- Remove the sausages from the grill when they are golden brown on all sides and have reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Allow the sausages to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Grilled Conecuh sausage is a splendid addition to various grilled dishes, such as hotdogs and sausage kebabs. They pair magnificently with grilled vegetables like onions and peppers and lend their deliciousness to marinated creations.
Master the Stovetop Cooking Method
Pan-frying or boiling Conecuh sausage on the stovetop is a popular choice due to its speed, simplicity, and minimal equipment requirements. Pan-frying takes around 9 to 15 minutes, while boiling requires a modest 10 to 15 minutes.
Ingredients and Materials:
- Conecuh sausage
- 2-3 cups of water (for boiled sausages)
- 1 tablespoon of cooking oil (for pan-fried sausages)
- Kitchen tongs
- A large cast-iron skillet or non-stick pan (for pan-frying), or pot (for boiling)
- Meat thermometer
Pan-Fried Instructions:
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and warm it over medium-high heat.
- Cut the sausage into 4- or 6-inch pieces and poke the sides a few times with a fork or knife.
- Add the sausages to the heated pan and fry for 9 to 12 minutes, turning them every 2 to 3 minutes with kitchen tongs.
- Test the internal temperature of each sausage using a meat thermometer after at least 6 minutes, and remove the sausages when the internal temperatures reach 165°F and the outsides are golden brown.
Boiled Instructions:
- Bring the water to a boil and add the cut 4- or 6-inch sausage pieces to the pot (don’t prick holes in them as the flavors will be lost in the water). Cover the pot with a lid and heat over medium to high heat.
- Ensure the sausages remain covered by about 1 inch of water and keep the pot covered with a lid. Rotate the sausages bottom-side-up after five minutes, replacing the lid after rotating them.
- Cook the sausages for another 10 minutes, turning them twice more during this time to ensure an even cook.
- Remove the sausages when they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Pan-fried Conecuh sausage lends itself to numerous beloved dishes, including hash browns, breakfast burritos, pasta, stir-fries, and stews. Boiled sausage finds its place in jambalaya, gumbo, and soups. You’ll find several Conecuh sausage recipes on their website, including the tantalizing Conecuh sausage cornbread!
Cooking Conecuh Sausage: Tips & Tricks
To help you master cooking Conecuh sausages, here are a few additional tips:
- The stove-top pan-frying method is the fastest, while grilling brings out the most flavors. Boiling is the healthiest preparation method, and oven-baking is the easiest.
- Ensure you cook sausages until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Sausages below this temperature are unsafe to eat. You can check the temperature using a meat thermometer or by cutting the sausage open — it should be firm, not runny, and dark or pale in color instead of bright pink.
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge to cook Conecuh sausage like a pro, it’s time to fire up that oven, grill, or stovetop and embark on a culinary adventure. Enjoy the mouthwatering flavors and the delightful versatility of Conecuh sausage!