Zummo sausage is a popular smoked pork sausage originating from Texas. With its signature spicy and smoky flavor it’s a tasty addition to many dishes. But for the best results, Zummo sausage needs proper oven cooking to reach its full potential.
In this guide, I’ll explain step-by-step how to cook Zummo sausage in the oven so it turns out juicy, browned, and full of flavor every time. Whether you’re cooking a few links or a whole pack, following my tips will take your Zummo sausage game to the next level.
Overview of Zummo Sausage
For those unfamiliar, here’s a quick intro to Zummo sausage:
-
Zummo is a smoked pork sausage made by the Zummo Meat Company in Texas since 1922.
-
It has a signature spicy, smoky taste thanks to a special blend of spices and seasoning
-
The sausages come fully cooked but benefit from additional cooking to enhance their flavor
-
Popular varieties include regular, beef, turkey, jalapeno and cheese.
-
When you bite into it, Zummo sausage has a satisfying “snap” from its natural casing.
Why Oven-Cook Zummo Sausage?
While you can pan-fry or grill Zummo sausage, oven cooking has some big advantages:
-
Cooks evenly: The ambient heat surrounds the sausages from all sides, preventing burnt spots.
-
Does big batches: An oven can hold a lot more sausages than a skillet.
-
Boosts flavor: The enclosed heat amplifies the smoky, spicy taste.
-
Browns the casing: The dry oven heat crisps up the outside for texture.
-
Hands-off: Once they’re in, you can walk away while they cook.
So for convenience and best results, the oven is my go-to method for cooking Zummo sausage.
Tips for Oven Cooking Success
Follow these handy tips when cooking Zummo sausage in the oven:
-
Use parchment paper to line the pan – prevents sticking and allows the sausages to slide around easily.
-
Don’t overcrowd – leave space between sausages for even cooking.
-
Flip halfway through cooking to brown both sides evenly.
-
Brush with oil for extra flavor and color.
-
Use a meat thermometer to check they reach 165°F internal temperature.
-
Let rest 5 minutes before serving so juices redistribute.
Step-by-Step Oven Cooking Method
Here is my foolproof method for oven cooking Zummo sausage to juicy perfection:
Ingredients:
- Zummo smoked sausage
- Parchment paper
- Optional: olive oil, herbs, spices
Instructions:
-
Preheat oven to 400°F. High heat crisps up the sausages.
-
Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Prevent sticking.
-
Arrange sausages evenly on the sheet, not touching.
-
Brush lightly with olive oil or coat with spices (optional).
-
Roast 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until browned.
-
Check temperature with an instant-read thermometer, ensuring 165°F.
-
Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Slice and enjoy!
And that’s all there is to it. With this simple oven method, you’ll achieve tender, flavorful Zummo sausage every time.
Cooking Times and Temperatures
Use these oven settings when cooking Zummo sausage:
-
400°F – Best for browning and crisping the sausages. Cook 12-15 minutes.
-
375°F – Slightly lower temperature if your oven runs hot. Cook 15-18 minutes.
-
350°F – For very large sausages needing more time to cook through fully. Cook 18-22 minutes.
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm sausages reach 165°F internally.
Infuse Flavor with These Oven-Ready Ideas
Don’t be afraid to get creative and add extra flavor to your oven-cooked Zummo sausage:
-
Onions and peppers – Roast alongside the sausage for a delicious pairing.
-
Marinades – Soak the sausages beforehand in a blend of oil, vinegar and spices.
-
Compound butter – Coat the sausages in flavored butter before roasting.
-
BBQ sauce – Brush on your favorite sauce during the last 5 minutes.
-
Maple glaze – For breakfast, drizzle maple syrup over the sausages while cooking.
With the right added flavors, the possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions
Once oven-cooked, here are some tasty ways to serve Zummo sausage:
-
Chopped on pizza, in pasta, or in soups/chili
-
Sliced into breakfast tacos or burritos
-
Paired with veggies and rice
-
On a sausage and cheese sandwich
-
Whole with BBQ beans and coleslaw
-
Sliced on a charcuterie/cheese board
Thanks to its versatility, Zummo sausage makes a great addition to many meals. Now that you know how to oven-cook it to perfection, you can start incorporating this Texas specialty into your cooking routine.
So next time you buy Zummo sausage, don’t just pan fry it – pop it in the oven for the full flavor experience. My step-by-step oven cooking guide takes all the guesswork out of making this smoked sausage taste its absolute best. Give it a try and I guarantee you’ll never go back to plain pan-fried Zummo again!
StepsMethod
- 1 Preheat the oven to 400 °F (204 °C). Do not put the sausages in the oven until it is completely hot. If you do, they will become dry. [2] Look at the sausage’s packaging to see what temperature it should be kept at; different sausages may have different needs. One easy way to warm up big sausages inside is to cook them in the oven.
- Two, put the sausages on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and level them out. Spray non-stick cooking spray on parchment paper or tin foil and put it over a tray. This will keep the sausages from sticking to the pan. Space the sausages 1⁄2 in (1. Space them out 3 cm (3 inches) so they cook on all sides. 3: If you’re making a lot of sausages, bake them at once or on different sheets. Most sausages, whether they are raw or smoked, don’t need to be prepared in any way before they are baked. This is the main difference: raw sausages are roasted whole and then cut, but smoked sausages can be cut ahead of time and roasted in pieces. Advertisement .
- 3. Put the sausages in the oven and bake them for 15 minutes, or until they reach 74 °C (165 °F). After about 12 minutes, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature inside the sausages. [4] Stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the sausage and wait until the reading stays the same. Once they’re 165 °F (74 °C), they’re done. [5] Take the sausage out of the oven if it’s cracked or blackened. If you want your sausage to be extra crispy, flip them over once after 8 minutes or put them under the broiler for a few minutes. Watch the sausages the entire time—broilers can burn them quickly. The color of the juice is another way to tell if it’s done. When you cut a sausage open, the juices should run clear. The only bad thing about this method is that it can make your sausages dry.
Advertisement Method
Boiling Sausage on a Stove
- 1. Bring water, beer, or tomato sauce to a boil in a big pot. Choose a liquid that is big enough to fit all of your sausages and put it in a large stockpot. Bring it to a boil. You can be creative with how you use the liquid in the pot to flavor the sausage [8]. Usually, 6 US qt (5 7 L) is enough to cover the sausages, but it depends on how big your pot is. [9] If you need to boil a lot of sausage, do it in chunks or use more than one pot. Season with lemon, bay leaves, sage, salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to make it taste better. This works especially well if you are boiling other things in the same pot. [10] Cover the pot to make the water boil faster. It’s ready when you can stir it without shaking the bubbles.
- 2 Fully submerge the sausages in the water. Do not splash yourself with hot water when you carefully place the sausage in the pot. Use a spoon. Place the sausages in the water and cover them with a spoon or tongs. Then, wait for the water to boil again.
- 3 Boil the sausage for 10 to 15 minutes. Put the lid back on the pot to speed things up, then let them boil. 11. After ten minutes, take one out of the pot, stick a meat thermometer in the middle, and see if it’s 165 °F (74 °C). You can also cut one open and see if the juice is clear. Pour the food from the pot into a large colander to drain the water, or flip the pot over while holding the lid over it.
Advertisement Method
Crispy Boudin in the Oven
FAQ
How long to cook sausage in the oven at 350 degrees?
How long to cook Polish sausage in the oven at 350 degrees?
How long to cook fully cooked smoked sausage in the oven?