How to Cook Vienna Sausage? 5 Methods to Try

You might know Vienna sausages as frankfurters or hot dog sausages. Commonly boiled or grilled to fill in bread topped with ketchup, mustard, and fried onions, a hot dog, is one of many things you can do with a Vienna sausage. So how to cook Vienna sausages? 

The microwave, stove, oven, grill, or air fryer are just some ways of cooking your Vienna sausages. For extra flavor, you can also make dedicated recipes with them. 

Any way you choose to cook them, Vienna sausages can become a delicious snack or a delicious meal you can quickly and easily put together. Even though they have that finger-like appearance that can be a stopper for many, their taste and convenience will make you add them to your shopping list the next time you go to the supermarket. 

Are You Supposed to Cook Vienna Sausages?

The Vienna sausages bought in the supermarket, either in a can or vacuum-packed, are already cooked (boiled or smoked). That means you don’t need to cook them before eating them. Nonetheless, for safety reasons, it is still recommended you do so. 

Below you’ll find some quick ways you can cook your Vienna sausages. I’m sure you’ll find one that is just down your alley. 

How to Prepare Vienna Sausages? 

There are a lot of recipes in which you can use Vienna sausages. However, if you are looking for a quick dinner or lunch, there are four distinct but easy ways of preparing your Vienna sausages. 

In the Microwave

If you don’t have much time to cook your sausages, then the microwave option is the one for you. This is probably the easiest and fastest way to cook/heat your Vienna sausages. It is as easy as pouring the sausages (including the broth from the can) into a microwave-proof bowl and cooking them for 1-2 minutes. Besides being warm, your sausages will be boiled and tender. Enjoy. 

On the Stove

An alternative option to boiling your Vienna sausages in the microwave is to cook them on the stove. Here you have two alternatives: you can either boil your sausages, or you can fry them.

If you choose to use a saucepan to boil your sausages, the final result will be very similar to the one you get if you cook your Vienna sausages in the microwave. The big difference? The stove cooking option takes a couple more minutes. How do you cook your sausages on the stove, then? You pour the inside of a Vienna sausage can into a saucepan, broth included. Let the broth boil. 3-5 minutes later, your sausages will be ready. If you prefer, you can substitute the broth for water. That is also the alternative if you bought vacuum-packed sausages that come with no broth.

If you prefer to fry your Vienna sausages instead, the steps are as follows: add a knot of butter to a frying pan. Once the butter is melted, add the sausages and let them fry for 3-4 minutes to add texture. Once your sausages become brown, it means they are ready. It is time to enjoy your crispy Vienna sausages. 

In the Oven

Lay your sausages (discard the broth) on an ovenproof dish and cook them for 15-20 minutes at 390ºF/200ºC. For a tastier result, halfway through, turn your Vienna sausages over. Enjoy your golden and crisp sausages while hot.

In the Grill

The grill is probably my favorite way of cooking Vienna sausages. It’s also a fairly easy one. You’ll need some skewers to put your sausages in, and that is all. If you are looking for extra flavor (like me), prepare a butter, lemon, garlic, and chili flakes gravy so you can brush your sausages as soon as they are out of the grill. 

In the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350 ºF/180 ºC for 5 minutes. So the sausages won’t stick, spray your air fryer basket with oil. With a knife, make some cuts on your sausages. This will prevent them from “exploding” inside your air fryer. Cook for 12 minutes, turning them halfway through. Your sausages will be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Enjoy them while warm. 

What to Make With Vienna Sausages?

Even though hot dogs are the obvious answer, there are many other options to cook Vienna sausages. Appetizers and finger food, casseroles, and pies. The sky is the limit. If, like me, you are a fan of Vienna sausages, check the recipes below for some ideas of what to do next time you buy Vienna sausages in the supermarket. 

Pigs in a Blanket

Alongside hotdogs, this is probably one of the most common uses of Vienna Sausages. These small threats are crowd-pleasers and super quick to put together. You’ll need puff pastry (store-bought is ok), Vienna sausages (I use the mini ones), one egg yolk, and sesame seeds. 

Put the sausages on a line alongside the edge of the pastry. Roll the pastry around the sausages and cut it with a knife. Use a fork to “close” your pastry rolls. Repeat until there are no sausages or pastries left. Cut your rolls to the size you prefer; normally, I make two “pigs” from each mini sausage. Add a few drops of water to your egg yolk and beat. Brush your pigs in a blanket with the egg wash and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. 

Cook in the oven for 20 minutes at 390 ºF / 200 ºC. Serve warm or cold with mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. 

Currywurst

A typical street food in Berlin, Currywurst is an appetizer made with Vienna sausages. Typically served with French fries, currywurst consists of slices of Vienna sausages topped with a curry and ketchup sauce. To prepare this recipe, you must fry your sausage slices in a pan (you can use the above indications). These will be covered with curry sauce afterward. 

Add a finely sliced onion and garlic to a pan with a tablespoon of butter for the sauce. Add dried rosemary and one bay leaf and cook until onions are tender and translucid. Mix two tablespoons of tomato sauce and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add chicken broth, ketchup, English sauce, barbecue sauce, and one teaspoon of curry powder. Allow to simmer and cook for 10 minutes. 

Arrange the sliced sausages on a tray and cover them with the sauce. Sprinkle with curry powder and serve with French fries. 

Vienna Sausage Rice

A typical recipe in Cuba, this bacon and sausage rice is perfect as a side or even a whole dish. 

Start by cooking the bacon in a saucepan. Remove just before it starts getting crispy. Add olive oil to the saucepan and cook the onions and garlic for a couple of minutes. Mix some saffron, paprika, chili pepper flakes, oregano, and a finely sliced red pepper. Allow to cook for a couple of minutes, and add a tablespoon of tomato paste and your sliced sausages. Add the rice and allow it to blend with all the ingredients. Fry it for a couple of minutes. 

Add the broth (I prefer chicken broth, but you can use any of your choices) and let simmer over medium heat. The corn goes next together with some salt and pepper. Let your rice cook until it becomes almost dry. Serve with some lime wedges. For extra color and flavor, add spring peas to your recipe. You’ll be surprised by the final result. 

Sausage Stir Fry

Another favorite of mine. Quick and delicious, this sausage stir fry is the perfect comfort food for a lazy Sunday evening. Begin with the sauce. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and tomato sauce in a bowl. Make some cuts along your sausages and fry them in olive oil. Add your julienned bell peppers (I use a mix of red, green, and yellow), carrots, onions, and sliced mushrooms. Allow your vegetables to cook. Mix your pre-prepared sauce and combine everything. To have more sauce, add some water if necessary. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced jalapeños and serve over some mashed potatoes or basmati rice.

Sausage and Cheese Pie

Sausage and cheese pie is always a good idea. You can either make your pie crust or use a store-bought one. Either way, start by spreading your dough on a pie dish. Slice your sausages and spread them loosely on your crust. Cut some cheese squares and do the same. If you want to include vegetables, you can add some peas, mushrooms, or bell peppers at this stage. In a separate bowl, beat five eggs with 200ml of sour cream and season with salt and pepper. Pour the egg and cream mixture over your sausages and cheese. Add more cheese if you want your pie to be extra cheesy. Sprinkle with dried rosemary and cook in the oven at 390 ºF / 200 ºC for 35-40 minutes. 

Roasted Sausage With Potatoes and Vegetables

An easy and delicious dinner for any day of the week, this roasted sausage with potatoes and vegetables is one of my go-to recipes when I don’t feel like cooking, but I’m still looking for a fulfilling meal. In an ovenproof dish, put some baby new potatoes and Brussels sprouts, both sliced in half, a quartered red onion, a sliced red bell pepper, and your Vienna sausages. Drizzle everything with olive oil (be generous), and add some minced garlic, red chili flakes, ground black pepper, salt, and dried rosemary leaves.

With your hands, mix everything until you coat all your ingredients with olive oil and seasonings. Roast in a preheated oven at 390 ºF / 200 ºC. After 30 minutes, remove your dish from the oven and use a spoon to toss everything around. Pour a glass of white wine over your sausage roast and get the dish back in the oven for 20 more minutes. 

Serve hot with a glass of wine, and enjoy. 

Sausage Casserole 

Start by frying your sausages in some olive oil. Use a large pot for this so you won’t end up with tons of washing up. As soon as your Vienna sausages start turning brown and crisp, remove them from the pot. Add chorizo and bacon and allow to cook until their fat starts coming out. Mix in your veggies (I use bell peppers and tomatoes), sliced onions, minced garlic, paprika, brown sugar, saffron, salt, and pepper. Allow it to fry for 4-5 minutes or until your vegetables become slightly tender. Add a glass of red wine and let it reduce. Add navy beans and chicken broth. Put your sausages back in the pot and simmer for 30-35 minutes.

If you feel extra, when there are still 7-8 minutes left, carefully make two holes in each side of your casserole and add a couple of eggs. Cover your pot with the lid and allow your eggs to cook.  

How Long Do Cooked Vienna Sausages Last and How to Store Them?

Cooked Vienna Sausages can last 3-4 days in the fridge if properly stored. An alternative is to freeze your cooked Vienna sausages in an airtight container. This will make them last up to 6 months. 

If you opened a can of Vienna sausages but only used some, you can still store them for later. Remove them from the can and save them in their broth in a closed container. They will last for 3-4 days in the fridge. 

How to Know If Cooked Vienna Sausages Are Bad?

If your Vienna sausages’ color has changed from their typical pink to a pale brown, it means they’ve gone bad. If there is a rotten odor when you open the container/can, if you see any signs of mold, or if they are coming apart when you touch them, unfortunately, it’s time to through your Vienna sausages out.