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March 20, 2024

Whether served in a bun, mixed with rich tomato penne, or fried in a pan with eggs and cheese, protein-rich pork sausages are a versatile, delectable choice for a flavor-packed breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Not only are pork sausages rich, meaty, and delicious, but they can also make for a nutritious meal if you buy the right type. Some sausages include added sugar and are high in sodium and additives, which don’t bode well for a healthy diet.

However, if you choose pasture-raised, heritage pork sausages, you’ll get high-quality meat free of hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs. This makes for a healthier, ethical choice and better taste.

Not to “humble brag,” but we’re kind of known for our sugar-free breakfast sausage, so we feel really good about putting together this article. 🙂

But, for those of you who prefer to make your own sausage, our ground pork is perfect!

Here, we’ll discuss the top three ways to cook sugar-free, heritage pork sausages perfectly.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 6-8

What You'll Need

One of the appeals of cooking pork sausages is how quick and easy the process is. Because the meat is so naturally flavourful, all you’ll need is a tablespoon of oil, and you’re ready to go:

1 tbsp oil (Avocado or Extra Virgin Olive)
1 lb. Sugar-Free Pork Sausage

All our pastured pork sausage is made from the highest-quality meat raised on our regenerative family farm or within our trusted partner farm network.

With the cooking methods below, enjoy a variety of flavors, including kielbasa, Italian, bratwurst, and breakfast patties.

Instructions

Now, it’s time to explore our three favorite methods for cooking pork sausages: on the stove, in the oven, and on the grill.

Cooking on the Stovetop

This is the classic way to cook pork sausages–and it’s quick and easy.

Heat a drizzle of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Place four sausages in the skillet, cooking for 5 minutes on each side or until the middle of the patties reaches 160°F.
Once cooked, remove the sausages from the skillet and let stand for five minutes.
Repeat the process until all sausages are done.

Baking in the Oven

If you’re looking for an oil-free or low-effort cooking method, baking your pork sausages is the way to go.

Preheat oven to 375°F.
While it warms, line a baking tray with non-stick parchment paper and place the sausages or patties on it.
Put the tray in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until sausages or patties reach 160°F.
Halfway through baking time, flip so they’re nicely browned all over.
For extra crispy results, cook sausages in a skillet on high heat for two minutes after baking.

Option: You can also use a cast iron skillet as an alternative to a baking sheet.

Cooking on the Grill

In the mood for a barbecue? Grilled Italian sausages are some of the tastiest pork links you can prepare. Here’s what to do:

Preheat grill to medium-high heat and gently oil grates.
Place sausages on grill, cooking for roughly 5 minutes on each side or until the middle of the sausages reach 160°F.
Remove sausages from the grill and let stand for five minutes.

Why Sugar-Free Pork Sausage?

If you’re watching your carb intake, sugar-free is a given. But even if you don’t mind a touch of added sugar to your diet, it's a good idea to be mindful of the sugar content in products like bacon and sausages.

Added sugar in pork products indicates they’re highly processed, and highly processed foods have been linked to a variety of health problems, including increased risk of obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

To ensure you choose a healthy and tasty option, look for nutrition labels that are free of sugar and contain only a handful of ingredients: pork, water, and natural herbs and spices. All our pork product labels look like this because they’re all sugar-free!

Side Dishes to Pair with Pork Sausage

Pork sausages make for a hearty, delicious meal any time of the day. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve them for a mouth-wateringly tasty breakfast, lunch, or dinner:

Breakfast

Gooey egg, sausage, and cheese breakfast sandwich
Colorful fried sausage, veggie, and potato hash
Old-fashioned sausages, biscuits and gravy

Lunch

Sauteed peppers, sausage, and onions laced with red pesto
Grilled sausages with creamy coleslaw and a dressed summer salad
Spiced, baked eggplant stuffed with herbs and sauteed sausage

Dinner

Sweet, zingy tomato and sausage penne pasta
Grilled sausages served with baked sweet potato wedges and roasted vegetables
Crumbled spicy sausage and caramelized onion pizza

Expert Tips & Tricks

Before we dive into the cooking instructions, here are some helpful tips and tricks to keep in mind to get the perfect sausages every time:

Before cooking your breakfast sausage patties, gently press your thumb down into the center of each one. This will help the sausage to retain its circular shape during cooking.
When it comes to sausages, slow and steady wins the race. That means cooking them on low to medium heat. Otherwise, you risk a burned outside and undercooked inside.
While cooking as many patties or links as you can in a skillet might be tempting, it’s better to cook them in manageable batches. If you don’t, you may accidentally steam the sausages instead of browning them, and lose out on the crispy exterior.
Once your sausages are cooked, allow them to rest for a few minutes before serving. This will make every bite more juicy and tender.
For the perfect pork sausage, a meat thermometer is your best friend! You’ll want to ensure the sausage's innermost part reaches 160°F–that’s how you’ll know it’s ready.

Recipe FAQs

Is it better to cook sausages in the oven or pan?

How you cook your pork sausages depends on your preferences. The oven, skillet, and grill are all great options. The oven is the best option if you prefer a more hands-off approach to cooking, but we'd recommend the pan if you enjoy sizzling your sausages to perfection.

What’s the difference between Italian sausage and breakfast sausage?

Seven Sons’ Italian and breakfast sausages are both beautifully seasoned and sugar-free. The major difference between the two is our selection of herbs and spices in each. While the breakfast sausage is milder and lighter in flavor, with hints of sage and rosemary, the Italian sausage has a lightly spiced flavor thanks to the addition of paprika.

How should sausages be cooked?

Pork sausages are versatile and delicious. For best results, you can cook them in several ways, including in the oven, on a skillet, or on a grill.

Can you pan-fry pork sausages?

Absolutely! Heat a drizzle of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat to pan-fry pork sausages. Next, cook your sausage patties for five minutes on each side or until the middle of the patties has reached 160°F. Don’t forget to let them rest for a few minutes after cooking, so they’re extra juicy and tender.

Should I add any seasonings to the sausage patties?

Seven Son’s breakfast and Italian pork sausages are already perfectly seasoned with a delicate blend of herbs and spices, meaning all you need to do is cook them!

Can I store leftover cooked pork sausage?

Yes, it’s easy to store leftover pork sausage. First, let the meat cool completely. Then, transfer it to an airtight container. You can refrigerate it for up to 4 days.

Ready to Cook?

Try Seven Sons’ delicious, sugar-free pork sausage range today. As always, we’d love to know what you think! So, let us know if you tried our recipes and how it turned out!

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Pork chops are cut from the loin, which runs along the back of the pig between the shoulder and the leg. Bone-in chops include a portion of the rib or backbone, while boneless chops are simply the loin muscle. The loin is one of the most tender sections of the pig, making chops a premium cut. What is the most tender cut of pork? Pork tenderloin is the most tender cut of pork. This long, narrow muscle runs along the backbone and doesn't get much exercise, resulting in exceptionally tender meat. It's mild in flavor and cooks quickly, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant presentations. What are the best cuts of pork for slow cooking? Pork shoulder and pork butt are the best cuts of pork for slow cooking. These cuts come from the shoulder area and contain more connective tissue and marbling, which breaks down during long, slow cooking to create incredibly tender, flavorful meat. They're ideal for pulled pork, stews, and braised dishes that need 6-8 hours of cooking time. How do you cook different cuts of pork? Different types of pork require different cooking methods. Quick-cooking cuts like bacon, chops, and tenderloin work best with high-heat methods like grilling, pan-frying, or roasting at 400°F. Tougher cuts with more connective tissue, like shoulder and butt, need low, slow cooking methods such as braising, slow cooking, or smoking. Ground pork is versatile and can be pan-fried, grilled as patties, or incorporated into various dishes. What's the difference between pork loin and pork tenderloin? Pork loin is a larger cut from the back of the pig that weighs several pounds and feeds a crowd, while tenderloin is a long, narrow muscle that's about one pound and serves 2-3 people. Tenderloin lives up to its name as the most tender cut and cooks quickly, making it ideal for weeknight meals, whereas loin is perfect for Sunday roasts or slicing into chops. Why choose heritage, pasture-raised pork cuts? Heritage, pasture-raised pork offers superior flavor and nutrition. Our pigs spend their lives on regenerative pastures, resulting in meat that's darker pink, firmer, and richer in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. The natural marbling in heritage breeds creates meat that is more flavorful and tender. Plus, our pork is free from GMOs, antibiotics, hormones, and added nitrates. What Will You Go For? If you’re wondering which of the different cuts of pork is best for your needs, the answer is all of them! It all depends on what you’re making. Whatever you fancy, you’ll taste the superior quality of heritage pork products from our regenerative-focused family farm. Choose from a variety of sugar-free, heritage, pasture-raised pork cuts, delivered to your door. If you're wondering what could you do with the other parts of the pig, read our pork offal guide and explore our selection of pork organs. Footnotes1. https://practicalfarmers.org/research/fatty-acid-comparisons-of-grain-and-forage-fed-pork/

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How to Cook Pork Sausages: Top 3 Methods