grilling sausages- newbie here

[Anonymous]

We’re having another family over this weekend and plan to grill burgers and hot dogs. Spouse asked if we can add sausages to the menu, which is fine by me of course but I don’t eat sausages so am looking for recs on -

what kind of sausages to get? (raw, correct? what type is most gen’lly popular? and where to buy good ones- WF?)
type of buns? (same as hot dog buns?)
condiments/toppings? (and should I saute green peppers and onions, too?)

Thanks, everyone!

[Anonymous]

If you're anywhere near Annapolis, try the raw sausages at the Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer's Market. They're the best - very fresh and delicious, with all sorts of different blends. Try a mild Italian sausage for at least one option.

Larger, heavier buns, not hot dog buns. Try a good hoagie roll.

Peppers & onions is nice if you can take the time to make them. Definitely a few different mustards (I prefer the German ones), something spicy, some sort of onion if you don't make the peppers/onions, maybe banana peppers, roasted red peppers, things like that. Purists will say no ketchup, but I say do it!

[Anonymous]

Ask spouse what kind they were thinking of!
Stab them with a fork while grilling or they burst.

[Anonymous]

I like bratwurst on the grill. Yes raw sausage. Get good hot dog buns for them.

[Anonymous]

I boil brats in beer first for about 15 minutes, then grill long enough to brown the sides.

[Anonymous]

Agree with boiling before grilling. My biggest difficulty with sausages is getting the middle cooked, so i boil them first and then grill to get the crisp outside.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone from OP. I read about the “boil first” method on bon appetit and that seems the way to go, thanks! I’ll get good buns and have relish and mustard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're anywhere near Annapolis, try the raw sausages at the Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer's Market. They're the best - very fresh and delicious, with all sorts of different blends. Try a mild Italian sausage for at least one option.

Larger, heavier buns, not hot dog buns. Try a good hoagie roll.

Peppers & onions is nice if you can take the time to make them. Definitely a few different mustards (I prefer the German ones), something spicy, some sort of onion if you don't make the peppers/onions, maybe banana peppers, roasted red peppers, things like that. Purists will say no ketchup, but I say do it!

Thanks from OP, I’ll follow this advice! Also I’m not near Annapolis but I could go to the similar market in Germantown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask spouse what kind they were thinking of!
Stab them with a fork while grilling or they burst.

Yes! Stab them before cooking!

[Anonymous]

Boil them in beer before grilling to cook the inside, then grill on charcoal to get the flavor. Use a strong but cheap IPA. The real trick is to keep them in a beer and butter bath while serving, you can cook them hours before the family comes over, then they can serve themselves by grabbing a sausage with tongs.

Brats are popular but kind of bland. Italian Sausage are great with more flavor. The DC favorite is the half smoke which is spicier.

For buns go to the bakery section of the grocery store. It isn't complicated, look for something more substantial than a hot dog bun.

For Italian Sausage and Brats I put onions and peppers in the beer bath so that everyone can pull out what they want. For half smokes I serve chilli with cheese and onions on the side.

[Anonymous]

Half smokes from Butchers Alley in Bethesda are great on the grill. I made them tonight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with boiling before grilling. My biggest difficulty with sausages is getting the middle cooked, so i boil them first and then grill to get the crisp outside.

Or bake them for 10 minutes at 400 then finish on the grill for a couple of minutes. It is easy to burn them if you cook them fully on the grill.