Are You Supposed to Cook Vienna Sausages?

Vienna sausages are a type of beef and pork sausages that originated from Vienna. They are also available in chicken and turkey varieties for those who prefer poultry to red meat. The sausages are pre-cooked and canned with brine. The most commonly used seasonings are cinnamon, cloves, coriander, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. They may also contain garlic, onion powder, and allspice.

Since Vienna sausages are pre-cooked and canned with brine, you can have them directly from the can when you are short on time. Nevertheless, it’s recommended to cook them for safety and health measures. Just warm them up in the microwave, pan fry, or boil and mix them with quick breakfast, lunch, or dinner recipes.

Different methods of Preparing Vienna Sausages

There are different methods of cooking Vienna sausages. You can cook them your way in any of the following methods:

Cook them in the microwave for a quick option

Warming Vienna sausages in a microwave is the easiest and fast way to prepare them. Just put them in a microwave-safe dish with the brine and heat for 2-3 minutes.

It’s important to note that microwaves differ in strength; thus, some take shorter or longer time than others.

Warm the on a stove

A stove is an appropriate option for cooking Vienna sausages if you dislike the microwave.

Follow these steps to have your sausages ready from the stove within minutes

• Light the stove and turn it to medium-high heat.
• Heat a small saucepan on the stove and then add in the sausages along with the broth
• Let them cook for 3 to 6 minutes or until you notice  the broth bubble gently

You don’t have to boil the sausages since they are pre-cooked. They should be cooked through by the time the broth begins to bubble.

Fry in a pan for crispy sausages

Vienna sausage casing does not get extremely crispy, but frying them adds a little crispy texture. To fry them,

• Light the stove and heat your pan over medium heat
• Add little cooking oil, allow it to heat up then add the sausages without the broth
• Fry for 3-5 minutes as you flip sides to cook evenly on all sides. Remove from heat and serve

You can substitute cooking oil with butter for extra rich flavor and crunchiness.

NOTE: Since the sausages are fully cooked before packaging, you do not need to worry about whether they are fully cooked. You just need to heat them to your preference.

FAQs about Vienna Sausages

Are Vienna sausages safe for consumption?

Vienna sausages have a long shelf life and are preserved with nitrates. They are highly processed and contain high levels of sodium. For this reason, Vienna sausages are safe for consumption but not recommended for often consumption.

Can you air-fry Vienna Sausages?

Yes, Vienna sausages can be heated in the air fryer. You’ll need to preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees, arrange the sausages on the rack in a single layer and cook for 2-5 minutes.

Are Vienna sausages similar to hot dogs

Vienna sausages are similar to hot dogs, only that they are smaller and softer in texture. Both these sausages and hotdogs are prepared using the same ingredients.

Do chicken sausages have nitrates?

Both turkey and chicken sausages do not have nitrates, at least for most brands. If they contain any nitrate-based preservative, it will be indicated in the ingredients section on the packaging.

All in all, Vienna chicken and turkey sausages do not contain nitrates and are, therefore, the best if you monitor your nitrate intake.

Are Vienna sausages ideal for weight loss?

Vienna sausages are high in calorie and fat content, which are inappropriate for weight loss. Consume up to10 grams daily if you must eat them while managing your weight. Nevertheless, there is still the issue of processed meat that you’ll need to deal with.

What happens if one boils Vienna sausages?

Vienna sausages can be boiled, but it’s advisable to season the water to make them tastier. Season the water with onions and other seasonings, add the sausages once the water starts boiling, cover with the lid, and cook for 6-10 minutes. Avoid using too much water.

What are the health benefits of Vienna Sausages?

The main health benefit of Vienna sausages is providing protein and rapid energy thanks to their high-calorie content. The sausages also have moderate amounts of vitamin D, iron, and calcium.

The high-calorie content is excellent for when you have strenuous activities, while protein is recommended for daily consumption. Calcium and vitamin D improves bone health, while iron is essential in hemoglobin.

Nutritional Information

Per 1 serving

• Calories: 37 kcal
• Proteins: 1.7g
• Carbohydrates: 0.4g
• Calcium: 0.8g
• Total Fats: 3.1g
• Potassium: 16mg
• Sodium: 141mg
• Cholesterol: 14mg
• Iron: 0.6g

Conclusion

Vienna sausages are inexpensive and easy to prepare. And now that we’ve discussed everything you need to know about them, it’s up to you to choose how to eat them; whether directly from the can or cooked. You can also be more creative by adding them to stews or soups and consume as dinner.