How to Cook Knockwurst

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Knockwurst is a German sausage that's known for it's garlicky and smoky flavors. Because knockwurst is a pre-cooked sausage, preparing it is fast and simple compared to other sausages. Knockwurst is typically served in a bun with condiments like sauerkraut, mustard, and fried onions. The most common way to cook knockwurst is with the boiling method, but you can also pan-fry, grill, or bake it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Boiling Knockwurst

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  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil . Fill a large pot 3/4ths of the way with water. Add 2 pinches of table salt to the water and set your burners to high. Let the water heat up until bubbles start to break on the surface.
  2. Let the boiling water settle for a minute or two. You don't need to cook knockwurst in boiling water because they are already pre-cooked. The water should be hot enough to cook the knockwurst, but not boiling. [1]
    • Don't put the knockwurst in boiling water or you'll overcook them.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Knockwurst
    Use a pair of tongs to slowly lower the knockwurst into the hot water. Once they are in the water, cover the pot with a lid. The knockwurst will finish cooking in the hot water. [2]
  4. Use your tongs to pull the knockwurst from the hot water. Arrange the knockwurst on a plate or in a cooking tray. [3]
  5. Popular garnishes for boiled knockwurst include sauerkraut, mustard, and fried onions. Many people eat their knockwurst in a bun. You can store the knockwurst for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Baking Knockwurst in the Oven

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  1. You should always preheat the oven before your bake knockwurst. Preheating the oven will ensure that the knockwurst gets an even cook throughout. [4]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Knockwurst
    You can cut the knockwurst into pieces, slices, or you can butterfly them down the center. If you cut the knockwurst into pieces, you can incorporate it into another baked dish, such as a casserole or baked macaroni and cheese.
    • Cutting the knockwurst is also useful to create bite-sized pieces.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Knockwurst
    Arrange the knockwurst on the bottom of the dish. If you kept the knockwurst whole, slicing them halfway down the middle will encourage a more even cook. You can place the knockwurst on a bed of sliced onions or sauerkraut to enhance their flavor. [5]
    • Make sure to place the knockwurst an even distance apart so that you don't crowd and undercook them.
  4. Knockwurst is often baked with baked beans, black beans, kidney beans, onions, or bacon. If you want to enhance the flavor of your baked knockwurst, pour a can of beans, chopped onion, or a couple of slices of bacon over the knockwurst before you put them in the oven. [6]
  5. Continue cooking the knockwurst at 300 °F (149 °C). Open the oven and look at the knockwurst. They should be golden brown and fragrant. [7]
  6. Wear a pair of oven mitts when you remove the cooking dish from the oven. Let the knockwurst cool for 2-3 minutes before serving it. You can store the cooked knockwurst in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Cooking Knockwurst on the Grill

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Knockwurst
    A low-heat grill is required so that you can get an even cook on the knockwurst without burning it. Do not put the knockwurst on a high-heat grill or you will burn the outside without cooking the center.
  2. Place the knockwurst on the grill with tongs. As the knockwurst cooks, it should develop grill marks on the side facing the grill. [8]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Knockwurst
    Flipping the knockwurst over will ensure that it cooks all the way through and will create grill marks on both sides of the knockwurst. When the sausage is fully cooked it should be grey or brown throughout and the juices should run clear.
  4. Grilled knockwurst will have a nice snap to them. Popular condiments for them include mustard, sauerkraut, grilled onions, and mustard. If you have leftover knockwurst you can store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Pan-Frying Knockwurst

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Knockwurst
    You can use olive, canola, or peanut oil to fry your knockwurst. If you want to inject more flavor, sauté onions in the oil before you cook the knockwurst. [9]
    • If you sauté onions before cooking the knockwurst, remember to season them with salt and pepper.
  2. Turn the stove onto medium-hot heat and start to heat up the oil. Tilt the pan once the oil heats for a minute to see if it's hot. You should heat the oil until it flows smoothly in the pan like water. The surface of the oil should glisten and shimmer. [10]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Knockwurst
    You can cook the knockwurst whole or cut into pieces. As you cook the knockwurst, turn them regularly to ensure an even cook throughout. The outside of the knockwurst should be brown. [11]
  4. Use a pair of tongs to get the knockwurst out of the pan. If you want to soak up some of the oil, you can place the knockwurst on paper towels. Let the knockwurst cool for 2-3 minutes before you serve them. Knockwurst is typically served on a bun and topped with fried onions, sauerkraut, or mustard.
    • You can store cooked knockwurst in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them up to 3 months.
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  • Question
    How long should I cook a knockwurst in a microwave?
    Community Answer
    I would cook it for around 5-7 minutes.
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      Things You'll Need

      Boiling Knockwurst

      • Salt
      • Water
      • Cooking pot
      • Tongs
      • Sauerkraut (optional)
      • Mustard (optional)
      • Fried onions (optional)

      Baking Knockwurst in the Oven

      • Knife
      • Cooking dish
      • Oven mitts
      • Beans (optional)
      • Bacon (optional)
      • Onions (optional)

      Pan-Frying Knockwurst

      • Cooking oil
      • Pan
      • Tongs
      • Sauerkraut (optional)
      • Mustard (optional)
      • Fried onions (optional)

      Cooking Knockwurst on the Grill

      • Tongs
      • Sauerkraut (optional)
      • Mustard (optional)
      • Fried onions (optional)

      Tips

      • The internal temperature of the knockwurst should be 155 °F (68 °C). You can use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature of the knockwurst.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.germanfoodguide.com/wurstdetail.cfm?wurst_number=13
      2. ↑ https://www.germanfoodguide.com/wurstdetail.cfm?wurst_number=13
      3. ↑ https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/05/grilled-bratwurst-with-beer-mustard-and-sauerkraut-recipe.html
      4. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/do-i-really-need-to-preheat-the-oven-article
      5. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/baked-beans-and-knockwurst-2378170
      6. ↑ https://cookingontheweekends.com/2016/01/knockwurst-and-the-best-baked-beans-ever-recipe/
      7. ↑ https://www.quartermaster.army.mil/jccoe/publications/recipes/section_l/L11301.pdf
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/eZJlERQwbws?t=2m27s
      9. ↑ https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/knockwurst-with-sauerkraut-and-potatoes/
      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/quick-tip-how-to-tell-when-oil-53815
      2. ↑ https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/knockwurst-with-sauerkraut-and-potatoes/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Since knockwurst is a pre-cooked sausage, it’s fast and easy to prepare. To boil knockwurst, start by filling a large pot with water and adding 2 pinches of table salt to the water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn off your stove and let the water settle for a minute. Put the knockwurst in the water and cover the pot with a lid. After 10 to 15 minutes, pull the knockwurst out of the pot and serve them on a bun or with sauerkraut, mustard, and fried onions. To learn how to bake knockwurst in the oven, keep reading!

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