How to Tell If Chicken Sausage Is Cooked

It might be delicious, popular, and versatile, but it is not the easiest to cook. There are many different ways to cook chicken sausage – and many different ways to mess it up. If you’re reading this, then you’re probably a beginner and wondering how to tell if chicken sausage is cooked. It probably looks good enough to eat from the wrap, but should you eat it raw?

Find the answer to that and more in this article. We will be discussing some common ways to know when chicken sausage is cooked, how long it takes to cook, and some other relevant information. Feel free to let us know how this article helped in the comments.

How to Tell If Chicken Sausage Is Cooked – Step by Step

To tell if chicken sausage is cooked, you can use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature of the sausage.

  • First, get your meat thermometer ready
  • Then, insert the needle of the meat thermometer into either side of the sausage (don’t pierce the casing)
  • The internal temperature of a properly cooked chicken sausage should be 155-165 degrees F
  • If the temperature is lower than that, then it is undercooked and should be left to cook some more
  • If it is higher, then the fat in the sausage would’ve dried up, making the sausage dry and overcooked

You might still enjoy overcooked chicken sausage but it is a bad idea to eat undercooked chicken sausage.

How to Tell If Sausage Is Cooked Without Thermometer – Step by Step

Without using a meat thermometer, you can confirm the doneness of your chicken sausage by cutting into it.

  • First, cut one open and examine the center.
  • If the meat is pink and fluffy or looks raw, then it is undercooked and should be left to cook some more.
  • If it has a brownish color, looks clear and firm, then it is properly cooked and ready to eat.

Here are some other ways to tell if chicken sausage is cooked without a thermometer:

Touch

  • Cut a small piece of the sausage
  • Touch the fleshy part and then touch the meat
  • Ensure this is done safely to avoid burns
  • If they are similar in texture and structure, then the sausage is undercooked

Timing

  • Chicken sausages typically take about 15-30 minutes to cook
  • Ensure to preheat the pan or skillet and cook the sausage at 325 degrees F
  • Set a timer appropriately at the start of cooking the sausage
  • Once the time is up, you can confirm the doneness by cutting it open and examining the meat or using any other method

Internal temperature

  • Use a small knife or cake tester to test the internal temperature of the sausage
  • Simply insert the knife or cake tester into either side of the sausage (don’t pierce the casing) and leave it there for 8-10 seconds
  • Then remove it and run it along the tip of your lip, tongue, or the back of your hand
  • If it’s really hot or at least as hot as you expect it to be when it’s properly cooked, then it’s ready

Boil first

To ensure the doneness of your chicken sausage, you may decide to boil it first before cooking in a pan, skillet, or grill.

  • First, put the sausages in a large skillet
  • Add about an inch of water and 1 tablespoon of oil
  • When the water boils, reduce the heat a little
  • Then, let all the water boil away and sear the sausages for 5-6 minutes on both sides

Test

  • Take one sausage and use it to test for time and doneness
  • Cook it while paying attention to the time it takes to cook, and the external appearance
  • You can also cut into it to observe the look of the meat inside as it cooks
  • You can check the texture as well
  • Take note of your observations while testing
  • Then, use this as a yardstick for how to cook the rest

Examine some more

  • Pick up a sausage with a tong and examine it
  • It should have a golden-brown color when cooked
  • Shake it a little to see how it moves
  • If it is firm and bouncy, then it’s properly cooked
  • If it is floppy and moving too much, then it is not cooked yet.

How to Tell If Sausage Is Cooked on Grill

To tell if a sausage is cooked while grilling, stick a meat thermometer into either side of the sausage (don’t pierce the casing). If its internal temperature is up to 155-165 degrees F, then it’s done. Alternatively, you can pick it up with a tong and examine it. It should have a golden-brown color when cooked. Shake it a little to see how it moves, if it is firm and bouncy, then it’s properly cooked, but if it is floppy and moving too much, then it is not cooked yet. You can also choose to boil them for about 10 minutes to ensure they are cooked through.

Read also: Can I Use Pizza Sauce for Pasta?

How Long Does It Take to Cook Chicken Sausage?

Chicken sausage typically takes about 15-30 minutes to cook, thick chicken sausage takes about 40-60 minutes while thin chicken sausages take 20-25 minutes. It should be cooked at 325 degrees F to avoid overcooking or undercooking. Ensure to preheat the pan or skillet first and flip the sausage regularly to avoid overcooking or burning one side. When you are done cooking, the sausage should have a golden-brown color with an internal temperature of 155-165 degrees F. It should look evenly cooked and the meat inside should be clear and firm with a brownish color.

Is Chicken Sausage Pink When Cooked?

Chicken sausage should not be pink when cooked, it should be clear and firm with a brownish color. If your chicken sausage is pink but has reached an internal temperature of 155-165 degrees F, then it is safe to eat it. If it is pink and has not reached the required internal temperature or if you are unable to confirm the temperature, then we highly recommend cooking it a bit longer until it is no longer pink.

Read also: Why Is My Spaghetti Sauce Watery?

Can Chicken Sausage Be Eaten Raw?

No, chicken sausage cannot be eaten raw. Eating raw chicken sausage can put you at risk of getting food poisoning, infections, and many other severe health problems. One common disease caused by consuming raw meat is trichinosis which causes symptoms like chills, abdominal pain, sore muscles, diarrhea, fever, constipation, heart muscle inflammation, sweating, breathing problems, and thirst – if that sounds as nasty to you as it does to us, then you would avoid raw or undercooked meat at all costs.

You could also get infected by bacteria like salmonella and campylobacter from the raw meat. These can cause vomiting, cramps, fever, nausea, and diarrhea to say the least.

Conclusion

If you pay attention to this article, you will find that not only are there many ways to tell when chicken sausage is cooked, but they are also fairly easy too.

So why is it so damn hard to get it right? Well, most people have not read this article.

Good luck!

By Luong Tan

Luong Tan, the creative and passionate founder of Bourbono, is a multi-talented individual with a deep love for the culinary arts. An accomplished food blogger, cookbook author, and former Ambassador of US cuisine in Vietnam (2015-2016), Luong has been on a mission to share his appreciation for food with the world.

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