How To Reheat Sausages – I Test 4 Methods [Pics]

Sausages are a great addition to the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table. But what do you do if you find yourself with a few leftover?

I tried out four different reheating techniques to find the best way to reheat sausages without drying them out.

The best way to reheat sausages is on the stove. Heat the sausages over a low-medium heat for 4-5 minutes, cutting them in half lengthways if they’re thicker to make sure the outside doesn’t burn. If you’re in a hurry you can also use the microwave.

How I Tested Reheating Sausages

I made a whole batch of sausages (Italian sausages with sauerkraut) for dinner last night and then saved the leftovers to serve up with brunch the next day.

Wanting to present my sausages tasting as good as new, I experimented with no less than four different reheating methods before settling on the one that works best. I tried:

• In a pan: Best method overall for consistently good results.
• In the microwave: Most disappointing results.
• In the oven: Even heating and good flavor.
• In the air fryer: Also an excellent method and adds a nice crisp.

Reheating sausages in a pan

Time: 4-7 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Cover the bottom of a frying pan with a very thin layer of water.
2. Heat the frying pan over a medium-low heat.
3. Place your sausages in the pan and cover it with a lid.
4. As the water evaporates, turn the sausages regularly until heated all the way through. This will take around 4-5 minutes depending on the thickness of the sausages.
5. Optional: Once all the water is gone, uncover the pan and add a drop or two of oil.
6. Optional: Brown your sausages for a minute or two by frying them.
7. Serve immediately.

Alternatively, you can cut your sausages lengthways or slice them into disks and then pan-fry them in oil over medium-high heat (and make some scrambled eggs after).

The water in the first method creates steam, which helps ensure that your sausages heat evenly and stay nice and juicy. But don’t add too much water to the pan or they’ll get soggy.

A low heat ensures the middle of the sausage heats up before the outsides start to burn.

If you go the oil route, the sausages will be slightly drier but will have more of a crisp to them. 

Results: I used the water method when trying this reheating technique, and I was really pleased with the result. My sausages were moist and kept all of their delicious flavors. I was a bit worried the skin would seem soggy, but this wasn’t the case. 

Top tip: don’t leave the sausages unattended (as I did) because once the water disappears, the sausages will start to brown very quickly.

Related: Can You Reheat Sausage Rolls?

Reheating sausages in the microwave

Time: 1-3 minutes
Rating: 6/10

1. Place your sausages on a microwave-safe plate.
2. If there are no holes in the skin, pierce the sausages a few times with a fork.
3. Cover the sausages with a piece of damp paper towel.
4. Microwave the sausages in 30-second intervals until piping hot. This will take around 2 minutes depending on the thickness of the sausages.
5. Uncover the sausages and let them rest for 60 seconds before serving. 

Pierce some holes in the sausages reduces the risk of them bursting or exploding in the microwave. And covering the sausages with a damp paper towel seals in moisture and keeps them tender on the inside.

I suggest reheating a maximum of 3 sausages at a time in the microwave. Any more and the heating can become uneven and leave you with cold spots. If you’re in a hurry, cut your sausages in half lengthways before reheating them.

Results: This method is quick and convenient, but it didn’t deliver the best results. The microwave made the skin of my sausages a bit chewy and dulled the flavors in the meat. It’s fine if you have no other option, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

Reheating sausages in the oven

Time: 10-15 minutes
Rating: 8/10

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Spread the sausages out on a baking tray.
3. Optional: Cover the baking tray with foil. This will prevent the sausages from browning.
4. Warm the sausages in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.

If you want some browning but not loads, cover the sausages with foil at the beginning of the process and remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of heating.

Check your heating progress (with a food thermometer if you have one) at the halfway mark. You don’t want to over-warm your sausages, as this will dry them out.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can use the fork trick. Stick a fork into the sausage and feel it as you pull it out. If the metal is warm to the touch, the sausages are hot enough.

Results: This oven was a bit slower than the other options, but the sausages tasted good and retained 100% of their flavor. They were (very) slightly drier than the microwaved or pan-fried sausages. Not make or break, but something to consider.

The oven is a good method for reheating large quantities of sausages at once.

Reheating sausages in the air fryer

Time: 3-5 minutes
Rating: 9/10

1. Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C).
2. Place your sausages in the fryer basket, not touching.
3. Heat them for 3-5 minutes, checking their progress at the 2-minute mark. The air fryer can overcook things quickly, so it’s good to do regular progress checks. 
4. Once warm all the way through, serve immediately.

Because of how the air fryer works, the outer skin of the sausage will heat up much faster than the inside.

It’s easy to be fooled into thinking the sausages are done because of a burning hot outside. But you should always check the sausage is hot all the way through before taking it out of the air fryer.

Results: Sausages reheated in the air fryer are absolute winners. If you have access to one, I 100% recommend using an air fryer. The skin develops delicious crispiness, while the inside stays moist and flavorful. It’s also fast and convenient and requires minimal fuss.

How to store sausages

To store leftover sausages, start by letting them cool down to room temperature. Then, wrap your sausages in plastic wrap and seal them in an airtight container. Place the container in the fridge. Correctly stored, sausages can keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Wrapping your sausages in plastic wrap prevents them from drying out by locking in the moisture. If you’re not keen on using plastic wrap, parchment paper will do the trick. Or you can ditch it all together if you’re only keeping the sausages for 1-2 days.

Can you freeze sausages?

Yes, sausages freeze really well, just like most meats. Frozen sausages will retain best quality for up to six months but will remain safe to eat beyond that. The best way to freeze sausages is to flash freeze them before transferring them to a larger freezer bag. 

How to freeze sausages:

1. Cool your sausages to room temperature.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (this prevents sticking).
3. Spread your sausages out on the sheet.
4. Place them in the freezer for 2 to 3 hours.
5. Optional: Wrap the frozen sausages in plastic wrap.
6. Transfer the sausages into a zip-lock freezer bag.
7. Remove excess air.
8. Store your sausages in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To remove the air from the freezer bag, use a vacuum sealer, suck the air out with a straw, or submerge the bag in water before sealing it.

You can also use your hands, but this won’t be very efficient.

The less air your sausages are exposed to, the less likely they are to develop freezer burn.

The plastic wrap provides a second layer of protection for the sausages, further lowering the chance of freezer burn.

Flash freezing your sausages before you bag them prevents them from sticking together and makes it easier for you to remove the portion you want to reheat.  

How to reheat frozen sausages

It’s best to thaw frozen sausages before you reheat them, or else you run the risk of a frozen center and burnt outside. The best way to thaw sausages is overnight in the fridge. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave. To reheat the sausages, fry them in a pan on a medium-low heat. 

A third option for thawing the sausages is to submerge them in their freezer bag in a bowl of cold water until they have softened up.

Read Next: What To Serve With Swedish Potato Sausage

How To Reheat Sausages [Tested Methods]

Sausages are a great addition to the breakfast, lunch, or dinner table. But what do you do if you find yourself with a few leftover?

I tried out four different reheating techniques to find the best one.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Ingredient

Cuisine: British

Keyword: how to reheat sausages, sausages

Prep Time: 1 minute minute

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 6 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 346kcal

Ingredients

• 1 portion sausages
• 2-3 tbsp water

Instructions

• Add a layer of water to a frying pan.
• Set your stove to medium-low heat.
• Place your sausages in the pan and cover them with a lid.
• As the water evaporates, turn the sausages regularly until heated all the way through.
• Optional: Once all the water is gone, uncover the pan and add a drop or two of oil.
• Optional: Brown your sausages for a minute or two by frying them.

Notes

Alternatively:

1. Slice your sausages lengthways or chop them into disks.
2. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan on medium-high heat.
3. Fry the sausages until warm to your satisfaction, moving them around in the pan as you go.
4. Once warm and crispy, serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 346kcal