Are you a fan of grilled sausages but unsure of how to cook them on your George Foreman grill?
Look no further!
In this article, we’ll explore the best temperature to cook sausages on a George Foreman grill and provide some helpful tips to ensure your sausages are cooked to perfection.
Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a beginner, this guide will help you achieve juicy and delicious sausages every time.
So, fire up your George Foreman grill and let’s get started!
What Temperature To Cook Sausage On A George Foreman Grill?
The ideal temperature to cook sausages on a George Foreman grill is 350°F. This temperature ensures that the sausages are cooked through without burning or drying out.
To achieve this temperature, preheat your George Foreman grill for at least 5 minutes with the lid closed. Once it’s heated, place the sausages on the grill and cook for 8-12 minutes or until they are cooked through.
It’s important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the sausages. It’s best to start with the minimum recommended cooking time and then check for readiness by using a meat thermometer or cutting into the sausage to ensure there is no pink or blood.
Why Use A George Foreman Grill For Sausages?
Using a George Foreman grill to cook sausages has many benefits. One of the main advantages is that the grill’s design allows for the excess fat to drip away from the sausages, resulting in a healthier meal. This is especially important for those who are watching their calorie intake or trying to reduce their fat consumption.
Another benefit of using a George Foreman grill for sausages is that it ensures even cooking throughout the sausages. The grill’s plates distribute heat evenly, which means that the sausages cook evenly and don’t end up with burnt or undercooked spots.
In addition, using a George Foreman grill is a convenient way to cook sausages, as it eliminates the need for additional cooking equipment such as a stove or oven. The grill is also easy to clean, as the non-stick surface makes it easy to wipe down and the removable drip tray catches any excess fat or oil.
Choosing The Right Sausage For Your Grill
Choosing the right sausage for your grill is just as important as cooking it at the right temperature. Here are some tips to help you choose the best sausage for your grilling needs:
1. Choose fresh sausages over precooked: Precooked sausages are often overcooked, and there’s no way to rescue a sausage that’s been overcooked. Look for the words “fresh” on the packaging, and ensure that the sausages inside are still soft and raw-looking.
2. Look for natural casings: Emulsified sausages, such as hot dogs or German-style weisswurst or knockwurst, almost always come precooked, and this is fine. In these cases, look for sausages with natural casings.
3. Don’t always go for the store-made stuff: Sausage-making requires a bit of technique. When in doubt, there’s no shame in using a mass-market, widely available brand like Johnsonville or Premio. You can at least be guaranteed that they are properly made.
4. Consider the type of sausage: There are many variations of sausages that can be grilled, from the ever-popular Weiner and Jimmy Dean sausage to lesser-known sausages such as the Beerwurst sausage. Some sausages may require different cooking times or temperatures, so it’s important to choose a sausage that is suitable for grilling.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you choose the right sausage for your grill and achieve the perfect grilling results every time.
Preparing Your Sausages For The Grill
Before cooking your sausages on a George Foreman grill, it’s important to properly prepare them. There are several methods mentioned above that can be used to prepare sausages for the grill, depending on your desired outcome.
One method is the 2-zone method, which involves cooking the sausages with indirect heat before grilling them over direct heat for a charred finish. To use this method, arrange the sausages on the indirect heat side of the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes with the lid closed, flipping them halfway through. Then, transfer them to the direct heat side of the grill and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until charred.
Another method involves placing the sausages in a disposable aluminum pan or foil boat with flavorful accompaniments such as beer, mustard, and sauerkraut. The sausages are then simmered directly over the grill for added flavor before being finished on the hot side of the grill for a charred finish.
If you prefer a simpler method, you can cook the sausages directly on the grill without any additional preparation. Simply preheat your George Foreman grill to 350°F, place the sausages on the grill with space between them, and cook for 8-12 minutes or until they are cooked through.
Regardless of your preferred method, it’s important to ensure that your sausages are cooked through before serving. Use a meat thermometer or cut into the sausage to check for any pink or blood. Once they reach an internal temperature of 160°F, remove them from the grill and serve with your favorite toppings.
Setting The Temperature On Your George Foreman Grill
Setting the temperature on your George Foreman grill is a simple process that can be done in just a few easy steps. While some models, such as the GRP4VT, come with a temperature gauge that allows you to set the specific temperature of your grill, most George Foreman grills do not contain a temperature gauge. However, you can still adjust the temperature of your grill by using the “-” and “+” symbols located on your grill.
To begin, plug your George Foreman grill into a 120V AC outlet and press the “power” button to turn it on. The grill will automatically displace 300 degrees F, but you can change this by using the “-” and “+” symbols. The range of temperatures you can use is between 148 and 218 degrees C.
To increase the temperature of your George Foreman grill, simply press the “+” button. The temperature will go up in 25-degree increments. If you accidentally go past your desired temperature, you can decrease the temperature by pressing the “-” button. The temperature will also decrease in 25-degree increments.
Once you have set your desired temperature, wait at least five minutes for your grill to preheat to that temperature before placing your sausages on it. This ensures that your sausages cook evenly and thoroughly without burning or drying out.
Cooking Your Sausages On The Grill
Grilling sausages is a great way to add flavor and texture to your favorite sausage recipes. There are several ways to grill sausages, but the most common method is to cook them over direct heat. However, this method can be challenging because it’s easy to burn the sausages on the outside while they’re still raw on the inside.
One way to avoid this problem is to use the 2-zone method. This technique involves cooking the sausages with indirect heat before grilling them over strong direct heat for a deliciously charred finish. To do this, arrange the sausage on the indirect heat side of the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The heat from the direct heat side of the grill will circulate around the sausage, cooking them with gentle indirect heat.
After this initial cooking period, transfer the sausage to the direct heat side of the grill and grill for 2-3 minutes per side until charred as desired. This method ensures that your sausages are cooked through without burning or drying out.
Another way to grill sausages is by placing them in a disposable aluminum pan (or heavy-duty aluminum foil boat) along with moist, flavorful accompaniments such as beer, whole grain mustard, sauerkraut, and thyme. By simmering the sausages directly over the grill in this manner, you can imbue them with flavor from the ingredients in the pan as well as plenty of smoke from the grill.
To use this technique, start by giving the sausages their initial par-cook over indirect heat. Pile up the coals on one side and place the trays on the hot side until the liquid is just barely simmering, then transfer them to the cooler side and cover the grill with vents open over the sausages. Let them slow-cook until they reach close to their desired final temperature of 150°F. This takes about 20 minutes or so—plenty of time for smoke, condiment, and sausage flavors to all mingle.
Once your sausages are cooked through using either method, you can finish them off by browning them quickly over direct heat to give them some snap and color. If your grill is hot enough, you can skip this step altogether.
Checking For Doneness
To check for doneness, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the sausage. The recommended internal temperature for Italian sausage is 160°F. Insert the meat thermometer into the center of the sausage to get an accurate reading.
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can also check for doneness by cutting into the sausage to ensure there is no pink or blood. If there is still pink in the center, continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes and check again.
It’s important to avoid overcooking the sausages as this can cause them to dry out and become tough. Once they are cooked through, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the sausage, making it more flavorful and tender.
