Smoked sausage is a delicious and versatile food. It’s great grilled on its own, but it also adds a ton of flavor to other dishes. The best part? Smoking sausage at home is surprisingly easy, even if you’re new to it.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about getting that perfect smoky flavor. We’ll cover which sausages and wood chips work best, figuring out the ideal internal temperature, and avoiding some common mistakes.
So, if you’re wondering about how long to smoke a sausage to perfection, read on!
Choosing the Right Sausage for Smoking
Before you fire up the smoker, it’s important to consider what kind of sausage you’ll be smoking. Here’s what you should know:
Fresh vs. Pre-Cooked
The main difference between fresh and precooked sausages is that fresh sausages are raw, so you have to cook them all the way through. Precooked sausages, on the other hand, only need to be heated up.
In general, fresh, raw sausages are a better choice for smoking because they’ll soak up more of that delicious smoky flavor. Precooked sausages can be smoked too, but since they’re already cooked, you’ll be smoking them for a much shorter time.
Types of Sausage
Many different kinds of sausage work well for smoking. Bratwurst, Italian sausage, chorizo, and kielbasa are all excellent choices. If you’re trying to eat a little lighter, you can also use chicken or turkey sausage.
Prepping Your Smoker
Smoking sausages is a relatively simple cooking project, but you will want to make sure you have all the equipment and materials you need before you get started.
Smoker Types
You can smoke sausages on a variety of different types of smokers. Offset smokers, pellet grills, and electric smokers are all popular options.
While the specific instructions will vary slightly depending on the smoker you use, the general principles are the same, so we’ll stick to those.
Temperature Control
Whatever type of smoker you use, try to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the smoking process. This is key to even cooking and will help keep the sausage casings from splitting.
The ideal temperature range for smoking sausages is between 225°F and 250°F.
Wood Selection
The type of wood you use will have a significant impact on the flavor of your sausages. Hickory and oak will give you a bold, classic smoky flavor, while applewood will impart a sweeter, more subtle taste.
Smoking Time and Temperature: The Key to Success
The amount of time you’ll need to smoke your sausage depends on the kind of sausage you’re planning to smoke, as well as how big it is.
Thicker sausages will take longer to smoke than thinner ones. As a general guide, bratwurst can take two to three hours to smoke, while thinner sausages may only need an hour and a half to two hours in the smoker.
If you’re smoking pre-cooked sausages, you can cut the smoking time, since you only need to heat them up and get some smoky flavor into them. Plan on smoking pre-cooked sausages for about 30 to 45 minutes.
And no matter what kind of sausage you’re smoking, it’s important to use a meat thermometer to ensure they’re cooked through to a safe temperature. Use an instant-read thermometer to monitor the internal temperature.
For most fresh sausages, you’ll want to aim for an internal temperature of 160°F to 165°F. If your sausages are precooked, make sure they get up to a safe internal temperature of 140°F.
Tips for perfect smoked sausage
You’re almost ready to enjoy some juicy, smoky sausage. Here are a few tips to help you get it just right:
Preventing casing wrinkling
Sometimes, the sausage casing can wrinkle or even split while it’s in the smoker.
To keep the casing smooth and intact, maintain a consistent temperature and don’t let the smoker get too hot. Some pitmasters use a water bath in the smoker to help maintain the casing’s integrity.
Resting the sausage
Once you’ve pulled the sausages from the smoker, let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes before you slice them. This gives the juices time to redistribute throughout the sausage, making each bite more flavorful and juicy.
Serving suggestions
Smoked sausage is very versatile. You can enjoy it on its own, pile it on a bun, or slice it up and add it to your favorite dish. Enjoy!
Summary
Smoking sausage is a simple and rewarding way to add incredible flavor to an already delicious food.
To consistently turn out perfectly smoked sausage, be sure to choose the right sausage for smoking, keep the smoker temperature steady, and use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different kinds of sausages and smoking wood to find the flavor combinations that you and your family enjoy the most. When you do, you’ll be able to create your own signature sausage that everyone will love.