Cooking sausage on the Ninja Foodi Grill is a quick and easy way to make delicious sausages at home. The Ninja Foodi Grill is a multifunctional indoor grill that can air fry, bake, roast, broil and dehydrate foods in addition to grilling. It has a large cooking capacity and comes with a grill grate, crisper basket and baking pan so you can cook a variety of foods. The Ninja Foodi Grill preheats quickly and uses cyclonic air circulation to cook food fast and evenly on all sides. This makes it perfect for cooking sausages quickly while ensuring they are cooked through and nicely browned on the outside.
Factors That Affect Sausage Cooking Time
There are a few factors that affect how long it takes to cook sausages on the Ninja Foodi Grill:
Size and Thickness
The thicker the sausage, the longer it will take to cook through to the center. Smaller individual sausage links will cook faster than a large sausage.
Precooking
Raw sausages will take longer to cook through than sausages that have already been precooked or partially cooked. Fully cooked sausages just need to be heated through on the grill.
Fat Content
Higher fat sausages will cook more quickly than leaner sausages since the fat renders and cooks faster.
Doneness Preference
The cooking time will vary based on how well-done you prefer your sausages.Cooking to lower temperatures like 155°F will be faster than cooking to 165°F for fully cooked sausages.
Recommended Ninja Foodi Grill Cooking Times for Sausage
Here are some general guidelines for how long to cook different types of sausages on the Ninja Foodi Grill:
Raw Fresh Sausages
– Brats, Italian sausages – 10-15 minutes
– Bigger raw sausages like kielbasa – 15-20 minutes
Cook at 400°F, flipping halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to confirm sausages reach 160°F.
Precooked Smoked Sausages
– Smoked sausage links or kielbasa – 7-10 minutes
– Hot dogs – 5-7 minutes
Cook at 400°F, flipping halfway through. Heat to 165°F.
Fresh Breakfast Sausage Patties
– 1/4 inch thin patties – 7-9 minutes
– 1/2 inch thick patties – 10-12 minutes
Cook at 375°F, flipping halfway through. Cook to 160°F.
Tips for Cooking Sausages on the Ninja Foodi Grill
Here are some tips to ensure perfect sausages from the Ninja Foodi Grill every time:
Use the Grill Grate
The grill grate gives you nice sear marks and even heating. Place sausages directly on the preheated grill grate.
Preheat Properly
Always preheat the grill fully before cooking. This helps the sausages brown and cook evenly.
Brush with Oil
Lightly brushing sausages with oil or spraying with oil helps them get a nice sear and brown color.
Flip Sausages Halfway
Flipping the sausages halfway through ensures both sides get evenly browned.
Use a Meat Thermometer
Test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for safely cooked sausages. This prevents over or undercooking.
Let Rest Before Serving
After cooking sausages on the Ninja Foodi Grill, let them rest 5 minutes before serving. This allows juices to redistribute.
Clean the Grill Grate
Be sure to clean the grill grate after each use to prevent food residue buildup.
Cooking Different Types of Sausage on the Ninja Foodi Grill
The Ninja Foodi Grill can handle all types of sausages. Here are cooking times and tips for popular varieties:
Italian Sausage
Italian sausage pairs nicely with peppers and onions on the grill. Cook for 10-15 minutes at 400°F until browned and 160°F.
Bratwurst
Bratwurst has a juicy, plump texture perfect for the grill. Cook 10-15 minutes at 400°F to 160°F. Butterfly slit before grilling.
Kielbasa
Smoky kielbasa picks up great char-grilled flavor. Cook 15-20 minutes at 400°F until browned and 160°F.
Chorizo
Spicy chorizo sausage needs only 7-10 minutes on the grill at 400°F to heat through.
Breakfast Sausage
Form sausage meat into patties and cook 7-12 minutes at 375°F based on thickness.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs like Hebrew National cook in just 5-7 minutes at 400°F on the Ninja Foodi Grill.
Vegetarian Sausage
Meatless sausages usually take 10-15 minutes at 375°F. Brush with oil to prevent sticking.
Best Practices for Grilling Sausage on the Ninja Foodi
Here is a summary of the best practices for grilling delicious sausages on the Ninja Foodi Grill:
Use the Right Temperature
Preheat grill to 375-400°F based on sausage type. Higher heat gets a nice sear.
Prepare the Sausage Properly
Poke holes in casing, slit, or flatten to prevent bursting. Brush with oil.
Flip Frequently
Turn sausages every 2-3 minutes for even browning on all sides.
Use a Meat Thermometer
Test temperature to ensure sausages reach recommended safe minimums.
Let Rest Before Serving
Allow sausages to rest 5 minutes after grilling for juicier results.
Clean the Grate
Clean grate after each use to remove food debris for optimal grilling.
FAQs About Cooking Sausage on the Ninja Foodi Grill
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking sausages on the Ninja Foodi Grill:
Should sausage be thawed before grilling?
Yes, sausage should be fully thawed before grilling for food safety and even cooking. Defrost sausages in the refrigerator overnight.
Can you grill sausage from frozen?
It is not recommended to cook frozen sausage on the Ninja Food grill. Defrost them first for the best results.
What is the best way to cook raw sausage?
The best way is to preheat the grill, use the grill grate, cook at 400°F and flip frequently until browned and 160°F internally.
How do I prevent sausage from bursting on the grill?
Poke holes in the sausage casing before grilling or butterfly slit bigger sausages to allow steam to escape and prevent bursting.
Should I flip sausages while grilling?
Yes, flipping sausages while grilling ensures even browning and cooking on both sides. Flip every 2-3 minutes.
What temperature do I cook sausage to?
Cook fresh sausage to 160°F and precooked sausage to 165°F for food safety. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Conclusion
Cooking sausage on the Ninja Foodi Grill is quick and easy. The ideal cooking time depends on the size, thickness and type of sausage. Raw fresh sausages take 10-20 minutes while precooked sausages only need 5-10 minutes to heat through. Cook at 375-400°F based on variety, flipping frequently, and use a meat thermometer to ensure proper doneness. With the right techniques, you can make perfect sausages on the Ninja Foodi Grill every time. Be sure to preheat properly, flip sausages, and allow time to rest after grilling for the best results.