How to Perfectly Cut Jimmy Dean Sausage for Even Cooking

Jimmy Dean is one of the most popular brands when it comes to delicious pre-made breakfast sausage. Their sausage comes conveniently packaged in logs or tubes that have marks indicating the size for patties Learning the proper way to cut Jimmy Dean sausage ensures you end up with beautifully shaped patties that will cook up evenly in the skillet or oven.

Follow this simple step-by-step guide to expertly cut Jimmy Dean sausage into perfect patties ready for cooking anytime.

Why Proper Cutting is Key

Cutting sausage properly before cooking accomplishes a few important things:

• It allows you to divide the sausage into evenly sized and shaped patties or slices This promotes even cooking

• It helps the sausage hold its shape better during cooking. Improper cutting can lead to crumbling.

• Straight, clean cuts through chilled sausage ensures you end up with patties that look tidy and uniform.

• Cutting along the marked lines on Jimmy Dean packages makes sizes consistent.

Step 1: Thoroughly Chill the Sausage

The first crucial step is to make sure the sausage is very cold before attempting to slice it. Take the Jimmy Dean sausage roll directly from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours until firm but still sliceable.

You can also put the frozen sausage on a plate and chill it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes right before cutting. It should be cold to the touch but not rock solid.

Chilling firms up the fatty sausage mixture so it holds together when you cut through it instead of crumbling apart. It also helps the patties retain their moisture better during cooking.

Step 2: Use a Sharp Knife

Having a razor sharp knife is essential for cutting clean slices through the chilled sausage with ease. A dull knife will tear the sausage rather than making smooth cuts.

For slicing sausage, choose a knife with at least a 6 inch blade. Larger blades around 8-10 inches are ideal for keeping your hands safely away from the cutting board.

Before slicing, hone the knife’s edge by sliding it across a sharpening steel at a 20° angle. This realigns and straightens the edge. Also wet the blade occasionally while cutting to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Slice Along the Marked Lines

Jimmy Dean sausage logs feature visible lines circling around the roll indicating the ideal patty size. Use these lines as a guide when slicing discs off the sausage roll.

Place the chilled sausage on a clean cutting board. Position it so you can make straight cuts across the lines. Apply even pressure as you slice all the way through the sausage at each marked line.

This will give you beautifully uniform, round sausage patties ready for the skillet. If desired, you can also cut smaller or larger patties by slicing between the marks.

Step 4: Cook Over Medium Heat

To achieve the best texture and flavor, gently cook the fresh sausage patties in a skillet over medium heat. Avoid high heat which can toughen the texture.

Preheat the skillet to about 300-350°F. Use a heavy skillet with tall sides to contain splattering grease. Add just enough oil or butter to lightly coat the bottom.

Cook the patties for 6-7 minutes per side. Flip them carefully with a thin spatula. Press any bulging meat back into shape after flipping.

Cook until the center reaches 160°F. Then check temperature and cook 1-2 minutes more if needed.

Step 5: Check the Internal Temperature

It’s critical to check the internal temperature of the sausage patties using an instant read thermometer. This guarantees the sausage has reached the safe minimum temperature of 160°F.

Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a patty, away from the skillet surface. It should read 160°F after 12-14 minutes of total cook time.

Let the patties rest 2-3 minutes before serving. The temperature will rise slightly as they rest.

Cooking Tips

• Use a heavy skillet with 1-inch sides to contain grease splatters.

• Cook over medium low heat for the best texture. High heat toughens sausage.

• Flip patties gently with a thin spatula to keep their shape.

• For oven baking, place on a baking sheet at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until 160°F.

• Cook frozen patties directly from freezer, extending cook time 2-3 minutes per side.

• Allow patties to rest 2-3 minutes after cooking before serving.

Freezing and Storing Cooked Patties

Cooked Jimmy Dean sausage patties freeze extremely well for longer term storage. Follow these tips:

• Let patties cool fully before freezing.

• Place them in a single layer separated by wax paper.

• Store frozen patties in airtight bags or containers for 2-3 months.

• Thaw refrigerated overnight before reheating gently in a skillet.

Always refrigerate any leftover fresh cooked sausage within 2 hours. Use within 3-4 days for optimal quality and food safety.

Additional Tips for Cutting Sausage

• When slicing sausage into coins or crumbles, chilling first helps the meat stay in chunks.

• If the sausage log doesn’t have size marks, slice to your desired thickness using a ruler as a guide.

• Cut on a clean cutting board with a sharp knife for best results.

• Store any unused fresh sausage immediately refrigerated. Use within 1 week.

Enjoy Delicious Sausage Creations

Follow this easy cutting guide for making the most of Jimmy Dean’s convenient sausage packages. Proper chilling, using sharp knives, and slicing on marks are the secrets to sausage success.

In no time, you’ll be whipping up tender, juicy Jimmy Dean sausage patties, slices, or crumbles perfect for any meal or recipe.