Sausages are a type of meat that is often enjoyed by many. However, some people may not know how to tell if they are cooked without a thermometer.
If you have the same question, then this article is for you.
Here are some tips on how to tell if sausage is cooked without a thermometer:
1. Check the color of the sausage.
Cooked sausage should be a deep brown color. If the sausage is still pink or red, it is not cooked all the way through.
In addition, you can check to see if the juices of the sausage are clear. If the juices are still red or pink, then the sausage is not done.
Finally, you can cut into the sausage to check and see if it is cooked all the way through. If the sausage is still pink in the center, it is not done cooking.
2. Check for firmness.
Gently press down on the sausage. If it feels soft or mushy, it needs to cook longer. If it is firm to the touch, it is cooked.
Firmness will also depend on the type of sausage. For example, a firmer sausage like a bratwurst will be cooked through when it is no longer pink in the center and is firm to the touch.
A softer sausage like a breakfast sausage will be cooked through when it is no longer pink in the center and is slightly firm to the touch.
So it is important to know the type of sausage you are cooking.
3. Listen for a sizzle.
If you hear a consistent sizzle, that means the sausage is cooking evenly on all sides.
If the sizzle stops, that means the sausage is no longer cooking and maybe overcooked.
Always remember to cook sausage until it is no longer pink in the center and the juices are clear.
4. Check for juices.
Cut into the sausage with a knife. If the juices that come out are clear, the sausage is cooked. If the juices are still pink or red, the sausage needs to cook longer.
Also, keep in mind that the type of sausage will affect how long it needs to cook.
For example, a firmer sausage like a bratwurst will take longer to cook than a softer sausage like a breakfast sausage.
So make sure that you know the type of sausage you are cooking.
5. Cut into the sausage to check its color and texture.
If the sausage is cooked all the way through, it will be a deep brown color and will be firm to the touch.
If it is not cooked all the way through, it will be pink or red in color and will be soft or mushy.
If the juices that come out of the sausage are still pink or red, it needs to cook longer.
By cutting the sausage, you will also be able to determine if it is overcooked. If the sausage is dry or crumbly, it has been overcooked.
But if the sausage is juicy and flavorful, it is cooked just the way you want it!
6. Smell the sausage.
Sausages that are cooked all the way through will have a slightly smoky smell. If the sausage smells raw or uncooked, it needs to cook longer.
This needs a little bit of practice. But once you get a feel for it, you will be able to tell if sausage is cooked without a thermometer.
Just by using the smell test, you will be able to tell if the sausage is cooked all the way through.
The smell could tell us the sausage is overcooked too.
If the sausage smells burnt, it has been overcooked.
Sausages are done when they are no longer pink in the center and the juices are clear.
7. Taste the sausage.
Taste can also tell you if sausage is cooked all the way through. If it tastes raw or uncooked, it needs to cook longer.
It will also have a slightly smoky smell. If the sausage is still pink or red, it is not cooked all the way through and will taste raw or uncooked.
The uncooked sausage tastes like meat that has not been cooked. It is chewy and has a slightly gamey flavor.
The cooked sausage will have a milder flavor and will be slightly firm to the touch.
If the sausage is overcooked, it will taste dry and crumbly.
It will also have a burnt smell.
This is something to keep in mind when cooking sausage without a thermometer.
8. Stick a knife in the center of the meat.
This technique is more accurate than just looking at the color of the sausage. If knife inserted into the center of the sausage comes out clean, with no pink or red juices, the sausage is cooked all the way through.
If the knife comes out with pink or red juices, the sausage needs to cook longer.
However, this technique is only accurate if the sausage is cooked all the way through. If the sausage is overcooked, the knife will come out clean regardless.
So, if you are not sure if the sausage is cooked all the way through, it is best to err on the side of caution and cook it a little longer.
Better safe than sorry!
9. Use a cake tester.
If you don’t have a thermometer or a knife, you can use a cake tester or a skewer to check if the sausage is cooked all the way through.
Insert the cake tester or skewer into the center of the sausage.
If it comes out clean, with no pink or red juices, the sausage is cooked all the way through.
If the cake tester or skewer comes out with pink or red juices, the sausage needs to cook longer.
Just like a cake, you want the center of the sausage to be cooked all the way through before you take it off the heat.
If the sausage is overcooked, the cake tester or skewer will come out clean regardless.
Conclusion
In sum, there are several ways to tell if sausage is cooked without a thermometer.
You can use the color and texture of the sausage, smell it, or stick a knife or cake tester in the center of the sausage.
If you are not sure if the sausage is cooked all the way through, it is best to err on the side of caution and cook it a little longer.
With a little practice, you will be able to tell if sausage is cooked without a thermometer.
