How to Cook Smoked Sausage Inside

Whether it's Oktoberfest, baseball season or just another Wednesday, smoked sausage is a yummy addition to a meal and it can be prepared in a variety of different ways. Many smoked sausage recipes involve grilling outdoors — but what if you don't have a grill or you want to cook indoors?

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What is the difference between sausage and smoked sausage? The answer is quite simple. Smoked sausage has undergone a "smoking" process that involves trapping the meat in an enclosed chamber along with burning aromatic hardwood like mesquite or hickory. The smoke that comes off the wood infuses the sausage to create the most delicious and savory flavor.

You can actually smoke your own meat at home in a smoker or a barbecue grill. Thankfully, most sausages are sold pre-smoked, cured and ready to be heated, browned and served.

There are many types of pre-smoked sausage available at the grocery store from beef sausage and chicken sausage to sausage stuffed with pork, turkey, veal, lamb and a mixture of several different herbs and spices. From bratwurst and knockwurst to kielbasa and andouille, each type of smoked sausage has a unique flavor profile. And the good news? They can all be cooked indoors using an oven or stovetop.

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For the novice, try cooking smoked sausage in the oven.

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Once heated, place a rimmed baking sheet or cast-iron skillet in the oven for 5 minutes.
• As your pan is heating, cut your sausage into single link portions and then slice them in half, length-wise.
• Carefully take the warmed pan or skillet out of the oven and drizzle it with a cooking oil of your choice.
• Lay your sausage flat in the pan and cook for 10 minutes.
• Flip the sausage after 10 minutes and let it cook for an additional 10 minutes until well browned on both sides.

For a quicker option, try pan-frying your sausage.

• Cut your smoked sausage into single link portions and then slice them in half, length-wise.
• Heat a cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.
• Drizzle a cooking oil of your choice in the skillet and then add your sausages, flat-side down, on the skillet.
• Cook approximately 6 to 10 minutes, turning frequently, until well browned on all sides.

According to the USDA, a-100 gram (3.5 ounces) serving of smoked sausage is approximately 321 calories and 11 grams of protein, but this can vary by brand. Smoked sausage is also high in saturated fat and cholesterol, so try pairing your meal with some healthy side dishes like spinach salad, roasted vegetables or sautéed peppers and onions. It's important to meet your daily nutrient recommendations for fiber, calcium and a number of different vitamins, which sadly, can't be done by eating sausage alone.

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