The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Sausages: Pan-Sear, Grill, or Oven?

📍 Published by Lakewood Meats & Sausage
🕒 Read Time: 6–7 minutes
📦 Order Sausages Online: Shop Now
📍 Pickup Fresh Sausages In-Store at Our Lodi Market

 

Sausage is one of the most versatile, flavorful, and satisfying meats out there—but only if it’s cooked right. Whether you're firing up the grill, pan-searing on the stove, or roasting in the oven, how you cook your sausage can make a big difference in flavor, texture, and juiciness.

At Lakewood Meats, we handcraft every link in-house using high-quality pork, beef, or a blend of both—no fillers, no shortcuts, just great sausage. In this guide, we’ll break down the three best cooking methods for our signature sausages and show you how to get perfect results every time.

Caption: Different methods, same great sausage—Lakewood Meats links are packed with flavor no matter how you cook them.

🌭 Why Cooking Method Matters

Different types of sausage respond better to different cooking techniques. Some are already smoked and fully cooked (just heat and serve), while others are raw and need to be cooked through. Choosing the right method helps you preserve:

• Juiciness
  
• Texture
  
• Flavor
  
• Snap of the casing
  

Lakewood Meats offers both smoked and unsmoked sausages, including customer favorites like:

✅ Alabama Sausage
✅ Jalapeño Jack
✅ Pineapple Sausage
✅ Cheesy Cheddar
✅ Smoked Chorizo
✅ Garlic, Apple, and more!

👉 Order Sausages Online Here

1. Grilling – For Char and Snap

Grilling is ideal for smoked or fully-cooked sausages, but works well for raw links too if you're careful with heat.

 

How to Grill Sausages:

1. Preheat grill to medium heat
   
2. Lightly oil grates to prevent sticking
   
3. Place sausages on grill and cook 4–6 minutes per side
   
4. Use tongs to rotate—not a fork (don’t pierce the casing!)
   
5. Internal temperature should reach 160°F for pork or 165°F for poultry
   

 

2. Pan-Searing – For Crispy Skin and Quick Meals

Pan-searing is perfect when you want that crispy outer crust and juicy interior—especially for raw or unsmoked sausages.

How to Pan-Sear:

1. Use a cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium-low heat
   
2. Add a splash of water and cover for 5–7 minutes (helps steam and cook through)
   
3. Remove lid and continue cooking, turning every 2–3 minutes
   
4. Total cook time: 12–15 minutes
   
5. Casing should be golden and crisp, and internal temp should reach 160°F
   

3. Oven Roasting – For Easy Batch Cooking

If you’re cooking for a crowd or want to set it and forget it, the oven is your best friend. It's a great method for both smoked and raw sausages.

 How to Roast Sausages:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F
   
2. Line baking sheet with foil or parchment
   
3. Place sausages evenly spaced on tray
   
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through
   
5. Check for doneness (internal temp 160°F)

 

Order Sausage Online or Visit Us In-Store

At Lakewood Meats, all our sausages are made fresh in-house with a family recipe that’s been trusted for generations.

You can order online:

✅ Alabama Sausage
✅ Jalapeño Jack
✅ Cheesy Cheddar
✅ Pineapple & More

👉 Click here to order sausage online

📍 Or stop by our butcher shop for even more in-store exclusive flavors and fresh cuts.

 

📍 Visit Us or Shop Online

Lakewood Meats & Sausage
316 N Ham Ln, Lodi, CA 95242
📞 (209) 369-1122
🕒 Mon–Sat: 9am–6pm | Sun: Closed
🌐 Shop House-Made Sausages Online

Whether you prefer your sausage grilled, pan-seared, or oven-roasted, the secret to a perfect bite starts with quality. With Lakewood Meats' house-made sausage, you're guaranteed flavor, freshness, and unmatched craftsmanship—no matter how you cook it.