Cooking sausages in a slow cooker is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to prepare a hearty meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re craving a comforting sausage casserole or a flavorful sausage and peppers dish, the slow cooker does all the hard work for you, leaving you with juicy, tender sausages and rich, savory flavors. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to cook sausages in a slow cooker, including tips, step-by-step instructions, and tasty recipe ideas.
Why Cook Sausages in a Slow Cooker?
Slow cooking sausages offers several benefits:
– Juiciness and tenderness: The low and slow heat helps sausages stay moist and tender, preventing them from drying out or bursting.
– Hands-off cooking: You can prep your ingredients in minutes and let the slow cooker do the work while you attend to other tasks.
– Flavor infusion: Cooking sausages with vegetables, herbs, and sauces allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
– Versatility: You can make everything from classic sausage casseroles to Italian sausage and peppers or even curried sausages.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Sausages in a Slow Cooker
1. Brown the Sausages First (Highly Recommended)
While you can put raw sausages directly into the slow cooker, browning them first in a skillet or under a grill adds a lot of flavor and improves texture. Browning caramelizes the outside, seals in the juices, and helps the sausages keep their shape during slow cooking.
– Heat a little oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
– Brown the sausages for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely colored but not fully cooked.
– Transfer browned sausages to the slow cooker.
If you’re short on time, you can skip this step, but the final dish will be more flavorful and visually appealing if you don’t.
2. Prepare the Vegetables and Sauce
Most slow cooker sausage recipes include a mix of vegetables and a tomato-based or gravy-style sauce. Common vegetables are onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, and garlic. You can customize with your favorites.
– Sauté vegetables briefly in the same pan used for browning sausages to pick up extra flavor.
– Add canned tomatoes, beef stock, marinara sauce, or other liquids.
– Season with herbs like dried mixed herbs, Italian seasoning, or curry powder depending on the recipe.
3. Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker
Place the sausages on top of the vegetable and sauce mixture in the slow cooker. This layering helps the sausages retain their texture and color.
4. Set the Cooking Time and Temperature
– Cook on low for 6-9 hours for tender, slow-cooked sausages.
– Or cook on high for 3-5 hours if you’re short on time.
Avoid stirring the sausages too much during cooking to keep them intact.
5. Optional: Thicken the Sauce
If you prefer a thicker sauce or gravy, you can:
– Remove the lid during the last 30 minutes to reduce the liquid.
– Stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce in the final half hour.
Delicious Slow Cooker Sausage Recipe Ideas
Classic Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole
– Brown 12 thick pork sausages.
– Add chopped onion, red pepper, carrots, garlic, tinned tomatoes, beef stock, and dried mixed herbs.
– Cook on low for 7-9 hours.
– Serve with mashed potatoes and green vegetables for a comforting meal.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
– Brown Italian sausage links.
– Layer with sliced bell peppers, onions, garlic, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce.
– Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
– Serve in sandwich rolls or over pasta for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Curried Sausages in the Slow Cooker
– Brown sausages and add to the slow cooker.
– Sauté onion and garlic with curry powder, then add with carrots, apple, and chicken broth.
– Cook on low for 6 hours.
– Thicken sauce with cornflour slurry and add peas at the end for a cozy, spiced meal.
Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Sausages
– Don’t overcrowd: Give sausages some space in the slow cooker for even cooking.
– Use good-quality sausages: Flavorful, high-quality sausages make a big difference.
– Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and herbs towards the end of cooking.
– Add vegetables you like: Sausage casseroles are very forgiving and flexible with veggies.
– Freeze leftovers: Slow cooker sausage dishes freeze well for easy future meals.
Cooking sausages in a slow cooker is a simple way to make a delicious, fuss-free meal that’s perfect for busy days or cozy nights in. With a few easy steps and your favorite ingredients, you can enjoy juicy, flavorful sausages with minimal effort. Give it a try and enjoy the comforting goodness!