Sausages are a delicious and versatile food that can be prepared in many different ways. When cooking sausages in a ninja foodi or other multi-cooker, there are a few key factors to consider in order to achieve the best results:
Sear/Sauté Setting
Most ninja foodi models and other multi-cookers have a sear or sauté function. This setting gets the inner pot very hot, allowing you to brown and crisp up the outside of sausages before switching to a slower cook setting. Browning sausages first helps seal in flavor and gives them an appetizing color.
To sear sausages in a ninja foodi, preheat the inner pot on the sear/sauté setting, add a small amount of oil, then add the sausages. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely browned. Make sure to work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pot.
Pressure Cook Setting
The pressure cook setting is a great option for quickly and evenly cooking sausages through to the middle. The hot steam under pressure helps the sausages retain moisture.
For bite-sized sausage pieces, pressure cook on high for 1-2 minutes. For larger sausages, cook for 4-8 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5-10 minutes before opening the lid.
TIP: Add 1/2 cup of liquid like broth or water to help create steam and prevent burning.
Slow Cook Setting
Using the slow cook function is an easy hands-off way to infuse sausages with flavor. This gentler heat works well for fully cooked sausages.
Place the sausages in the inner pot and add your desired sauces, seasonings or liquids. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-2 hours until heated through.
Stir occasionally and add more liquid as needed to prevent sticking.
Air Crisp Setting
The air crisp setting (available on some models) is ideal for making sausages with crispy skins like hot dogs, bratwurst and Italian sausage links.
Preheat the foodi for 5 minutes on air crisp at 400°F. Rub the sausages with oil then cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until browned and sizzling.
Use tongs to flip the sausages – piercing them with a fork will cause the juices to leak out.
Baking/Roasting Setting
Baking or roasting is another good option for cooking raw sausages evenly without drying them out.
Preheat the inner pot at 375°F then add the sausages and cook for 15-30 minutes until cooked through, flipping halfway.
For even more juiciness, add some broth or water to the bottom of the pot.
What Type of Liquid to Use
Adding some liquid when cooking sausages can help prevent drying out and promote even cooking. Good options include:
- Broth or stock – chicken, beef or vegetable broth
- Beer or wine
- Fruit juice – apple, cranberry, etc.
- Water
Use about 1/2 cup liquid per 1 pound of sausage. Choose flavors that complement the seasoning of the sausage.
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips for delicious sausages from your ninja foodi or multi-cooker:
- Always sear or brown raw sausages first before using other cook functions
- Avoid overcrowding to allow proper browning
- Use enough liquid to generate steam and prevent burning
- Flip or stir sausages at least once during cooking
- Allow natural pressure release to prevent splitting sausage casings
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm sausages reach safe temperature
Serving Ideas
Here are some delicious ways to serve up your ninja foodi sausages:
- Sausage sandwiches – cook then slice and serve on buns with desired toppings
- Sausage pasta – slice and add to pasta dishes, tomato sauce, etc.
- Sausage tacos or burritos – with peppers, onions, salsa
- Sausage breakfast – with eggs, hashbrowns, pancakes
- Sausage skewers – alternate with vegetables and grill or broil
- Sausage and vegetables – cook with potatoes, peppers, onions, etc.
Cooking Times for Different Sausages
Cooking times can vary greatly depending on the type, size and thickness of sausages. Refer to this cooking time guide for common sausage varieties when using pressure cook or bake/roast settings:
| Sausage Type | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Breakfast sausage patties | 6-8 minutes |
| Uncooked bratwurst | 7-10 minutes |
| Italian sausage links | 8-10 minutes |
| Raw chorizo sausage | 5-7 minutes |
| Smoked kielbasa | 4-6 minutes |
| Hot dogs | 2-5 minutes |
Always check internal temperature and visually inspect sausages for doneness. If needed, adjust cook time up or down and allow extra time for thicker sausages.
Conclusion
From searing to pressure cooking, roasting to air frying, the ninja foodi and similar multi-cookers provide many great options for cooking sausages. Browning raw sausages first, using some liquid, avoiding overcrowding, and adjusting cook times based on size will result in evenly cooked and flavorful sausages.
Experiment with different styles of sausages, flavors, and serving ideas. With the right techniques, your ninja foodi makes it easy to enjoy deliciously cooked sausages any night of the week.