Giving chicken sausage a try? Prepare a two-zone grilling surface so you can cook them slowly to a to an internal temperature of 165°F. But not so fast! If you’ve never grilled chicken sausage, it’s important to understand how it can differ from other types of sausage.
Cooking Chicken Sausage on the Grill
The difference between chicken sausage and other types of sausage is simple: chicken contains less fat and fewer calories. This makes it a great alternative for those looking to eat healthily. But that also means it has a tendency to dry out if not cooked carefully.
The key to cooking any sausage, especially chicken sausage, is to grill it using indirect heat.
- Let chicken sausage warm up a bit before grilling — about 20 minutes.
- Set one half of the grill to medium-high heat.
- Don’t turn on the other half of the grill.
If you’re cooking with charcoal, pile the coals onto one side of the grill and leave the other side empty.
If you get too aggressive with your heat, you will char the outside of the sausage and split the casing open. This will allow its delicious juices to leak out. Grilling it slowly will help preserve its delicious flavour.
Higher Temps for Chicken Sausage
Sausage containing poultry — chicken or turkey — needs to be cooked to a slightly higher temperature than other sausages to prevent food-borne illnesses. The best way to ensure that your sausages are cooked all the way through without jeopardizing their flavour and moisture is to check the internal temperature with an instant-read digital thermometer.
- Chicken sausage should be cooked to 165°F.
- Beef, pork, lamb or veal sausage should be cooked to 160°F.
No matter the type of meat you want, it’s always a great idea to go to your local butcher and pick up some freshly made sausage rather than picking a pack off the shelf at your local grocery store. You might get lucky and be able to find some innovative sausages that use chicken blended with different flavours.
Delicious Chicken Sausage Recipe
Now that you know what’s required to grill up a delicious chicken sausage, check out this recipe for Grilled Artisan Sausages from Char-Broil®. One of the fun things about sausage is that the possibilities are endless. Try different sausage types and explore different sauces and toppings!
