Tasty Ways to Cook Vienna Sausage (with Recipe Ideas)

Last Updated: April 2, 2024 Fact Checked

Vienna sausages are inexpensive and super simple to prepare. Best of all, they are canned and have a long shelf-life, so they are a great pantry staple! These little sausages in a can come fully cooked, so you really don’t have to cook them at all if you're short on time. But they are also super versatile and there are lots of ways to heat them up and add them to your favorite foods. Have fun experimenting by adding them to your breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a variety of ways.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Ways to Heat Vienna Sausage

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1
Heat the sausages in the microwave for 1-2 minutes for a quick option. This is super fast and simple. Pop open the can and pour the sausages and broth into a microwave-safe bowl. Put them in the microwave and set the timer for 1-2 minutes. ^{[1]
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- Some microwaves are stronger than others, so you might need to adjust the time 5-10 seconds either way to get the sausages just the way you like them.
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Warm the sausages on the stove for a few minutes, if you prefer. If you don’t like to use the microwave, no worries. This method is also really fast and easy. Place a small saucepan on the stove and turn the burner to medium-high heat. Open the can and pour in the sausages and broth. Allow them to cook until the broth is gently bubbling. ^{[2]
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- There’s no need to boil the sausages since they’re already cooked through. By the time the broth is gently bubbling, they should be nice and warm. This will take between 3-6 minutes.
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3
Fry the sausages in a pan if you like them a little crispy. Vienna sausages don’t have casings that will get super crispy, but you can still fry them up to add a little texture. Place a small skillet on the stovetop and heat it over medium-high heat. Open the can and use a fork to pull the sausages out of the broth. Place the sausages in the pan and let them cook for 3-4 minutes. ^{[3]
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- If you like, you can add a pat of butter to the pan right before putting the sausages in. This can add flavor and even help them get a little crispy.
- You can flip the sausages using a spatula a couple of times during heating so that they cook evenly on all sides.
- Since Vienna sausages are fully cooked, you don’t have to worry about whether you've cooked them long enough. Just heat them until they are as warm as you want, which will probably just take a few minutes.

Method 2

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Recipe Ideas

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1
Make Vienna sausage pigs in a blanket for an easy appetizer. These simple snacks will be a big hit with your family or guests. Pop open a can of crescent roll dough and remove the dough from the tube. Working lengthwise across the tube of dough, cut it into pieces that are about 1 inch wide. Lay each piece of dough on a flat surface, unroll it, and then lay a sausage on each piece. Wrap the dough around the Vienna sausage and place them on a baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to a 350 °F (177 °C) oven and bake for 15 minutes. When the dough turns a light, golden brown the pigs in a blanket are ready. ^{[4]
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- You can brush an egg wash on the pigs in a blanket before cooking. Just use a fork to beat an egg in a small bowl and then spoon the mixture onto the dough. This isn't necessary but it will make the pigs in a blanket look extra golden and crisp.
- Take them out of the oven and let them cool for a couple of minutes before serving.
- These are great to serve at a party for kids or adults. Try setting out some of your favorite condiments with them, like BBQ sauce, ketchup, or mustard.
- 1 package of crescent rolls will make 24 pigs in a blanket. You'll need about 3 cans of sausages to make that many (the number of sausages in a can sometimes vary).
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Create a kid-friendly meal with Vienna sausage corn dogs. This simple recipe just requires a boxed corn muffin mix and a can of Vienna sausages. Follow the directions on the box to mix up the cornbread batter in a bowl. Once your batter is liquid, you're ready to dip your sausages in it. Spear a sausage on a fork and swirl it through the batter until it is completely covered. 1 box of mix and 3 cans of sausages will make 24 little corn dogs. ^{[5]
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- If you have a deep fryer, you can use that to cook your corn dogs. Just follow the instructions that came with your fryer. Typically, it should take 3-4 minutes to fry up the dogs.
- You can also place about 1 inch (25 mm) of cooking oil in a frying pan and let it heat up for several minutes on medium heat. Place the corn dogs on a wooden skewer and hold them in the oil for about 5 minutes, rotating them every minute or so. Don’t forget to be careful with hot oil! ^{[6]
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- Another option is to bake the corn dogs in the oven. Place your corn dogs on a baking sheet and cook them in a 350 °F (177 °C) oven for 8-10 minutes. The batter will be golden brown when they are ready. ^{[7]
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Use sausages in a stir fry to make a simple meal with veggies. This is a great way to make a nutritious, tasty, and quick meal. Chop up 1 bell pepper and 1 onion, and set aside. To get the stir fry started, add a little bit of cooking oil to the pan and let it warm up for a few minutes over medium-high heat. Add your sausages to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat for 1-3 minutes. ^{[8]
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- While the sausages cook, mix up a simple sauce of 2 tbsp (29.4 g) of ketchup, 1/2 tbsp (7 g) of soy sauce, and 1/2 tbsp (6.25 g) of sugar in a bowl.
- When the sausages are warm, add the veggies to the skillet and cook until they get crisp, 1-2 minutes. Make sure to keep stirring the meat and veggies every minute or so to ensure they cook evenly.
- Finally, pour the sauce over the veggies and sausages and let the whole mixture cook on medium heat for 1-2 minutes. You could also use any sauce you like, such as soy sauce or any other ready-made stir fry sauce.
- You can use any veggies you like, such as bell peppers, onions, or broccoli.
- This is delicious served on its own or over some rice. This meal will make 4 servings using 1 can of sausages.
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Add sausages to flavored rice for a quick and tasty meal. If you have a recipe that you love for Spanish or Cuban rice, you can add Vienna sausages to it to add a little extra flavor. Start by sauteing 1 diced onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic in 1 tbsp (15 ml) of cooking oil to add to your rice. To make a simple version, you can cook rice as you normally would and stir in 8 oz (236 ml) of tomato sauce. Sprinkle in seasonings like tumeric or cumin and then add in the garlic and onions. You'll have flavorful, simple rice. ^{[9]
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- Add 1 tbsp (15 g) of olive oil to a pan and let it get warm on medium-high heat before adding the sausages to the skillet for about 2-3 minutes. Once they're hot, take them out of the pan and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Mix them into your rice for a filling and easy dinner.
- If you don’t have the time or ingredients to make your rice from scratch, there are lots of flavored rice box mixes that you can use.
- It would also be delicious to add sausages to fried rice.
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Toss sausages with your favorite pasta for a cheap and filling meal. Next time you want to liven up your favorite pasta dish, add in some Vienna sausages. Boil a pot of water on the stove and cook your favorite type of pasta according to the directions on the package. While your pasta cooks, use a separate saucepan to heat up some sauce. You can use a jar or canned version that you love, or make your own. ^{[10]
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- To heat the sausages, place them in your sauce while it heats. You can cut them into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole.
- After the pasta, sauce, and sausages are warm, toss them together in a bowl so that you can easily serve everyone.
- Kids might love Vienna sausages added to their mac and cheese.
- You can use Vienna sausages in place of meatballs next time you make spaghetti for a super simple take on that classic dish.
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Scramble some eggs with Vienna sausage for a quick breakfast. Set a skillet on the stove and heat it on medium-high heat. While the pan heats up, dice up half of an onion and bell pepper. While you're chopping, cut the Vienna sausages into bite-sized pieces. When your pan is hot, add the veggies and meat to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and add in your eggs, gently stirring them until they are cooked the way you like them, or when the edges and bottom begin to set. ^{[11]
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- 1 can of sausages and 7 eggs will make 4 servings.
- You can add a little cooking spray or olive oil to the pan first to prevent your eggs from sticking.
- You can use either an egg alternative or regular eggs. If you use regular eggs, just gently beat them in a small bowl with a fork before you add them to the pan.
- Add in any seasonings or other veggies that you like in a scramble. Feel free to experiment and try new ingredients.
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Turn your eggs and sausage into a breakfast burrito for a portable option. Dice up half of an onion and cut the Vienna sausages into bite-sized pieces. Heat up a skillet to medium-high heat, spray it with cooking spray, and add the onion and sausages to the pan. Cook the mixture for about 3-5 minutes, or until the onion is browned and the sausages are warm. Add 3 eggs to the pan and gently scramble them with a spoon or spatula. ^{[12]
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- Heat a can of refried beans in a small saucepan on the stove. This will take about 5-10 minutes on medium heat, and you can do this while the eggs and sausages cook.
- To assemble the burritos, lay a tortilla flat on the counter, and spread a layer of beans on it. Add the onion, egg, and sausage mixture, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla and roll it up to make a burrito.
- You could also add salsa or hot sauce to make the burritos spicy.
- These burritos are great for a grab-and-go breakfast option.
- Use 2 cans of sausages to make 8 burritos.