How to Cook Hot Links

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: January 28, 2023 Tested

As with most sausages, you have a lot of options when it comes to cooking hot links. Since they're already spiced, you can quickly cook hot links in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove. To add a smoky flavor, toss the hot links on a grill and cook them until they're completely heated. For slightly crispy hot links or to make a large number at once, roast them in the oven on a wire rack.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Grilling

1
Preheat a grill. Turn on a gas grill to medium-low heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, heat the briquettes until they're hot and ashy. Dump the coals onto one half of the grill grate.^{[1]
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2
Arrange the hot links on the grill. Place the hot links on the grill so they're not directly over the coals. Put the lid on the grill.^{[2]
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3
Turn and grill the hot links for 8 to 10 minutes. Lift the lid and use long tongs to turn the hot links every few minutes. This will ensure that the hot links brown easily as they grill. Grill the hot links until they're completely hot throughout. This should take 8 to 10 minutes.^{[3]
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4
Serve the grilled hot links. Remove the hot links from the grill and place them into sausage or hot dog buns. Top the hot links with your favorite condiments (such as barbecue sauce, ketchup, mustard, coleslaw, or relish).^{[4]
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- You can store the grilled hot links in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Microwaving

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1
Set a hot link on a plate. Get out a microwave-safe plate and put 1 hot link on it. Lay a paper towel over the hot link.^{[5]
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- If you want to microwave several hot links, microwave them 1 at a time so they cook evenly.
2
Microwave the hot link for 30 to 35 seconds. You should hear the hot link sizzle and swell up a little as it becomes completely hot.^{[6]
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Rest the hot link for 1 minute. Turn off the microwave and let the hot link rest on the plate for 1 minute before you serve it.^{[7]
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4
Serve the microwaved hot link. Wear oven mitts to remove the hot link from the microwave and serve it immediately. You could place it in a bun and add your favorite toppings. Or cut up the hot link and add it to pasta, gumbo, or stew.^{[8]
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- You can store the grilled hot links in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Roasting

1
Preheat the oven and set up roasting tray. Turn the oven on to 350 °F (177 °C). Get out a rimmed baking sheet and set a wire rack on it.
2
Cut the hot links if they're still connected. If you bought hot links that are still strung together, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut in between the links.
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Arrange the hot links on the wire rack. Place as many hot links as you want to roast on the wire rack. Leave a few inches (about 5 cm) between each link so they brown evenly.
4
Roast the hot links for 10 minutes. Place the wire rack on the baking sheet in the preheated oven and cook the hot links for 10 minutes.
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5
Turn and roast the hot links for 10 more minutes. Use tongs to turn the hot links over and put them back in the oven. Roast them until they're completely browned on both sides and hot all the way through. This should take another 10 minutes.
6
Serve the roasted hot links. Wear oven mitts to remove the wire rack and baking sheet from the oven. Use caution because grease may have dripped onto the baking sheet while the hot links were cooking. Serve the hot links with your favorite sides or cut the links up to use as part of another entree.
- Store leftover roasted hot links in the refrigerator. You can keep them in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Simmering on the Stove

1
Bring water to a boil in a skillet. Pour 2/3 cup (160 ml) of water into a skillet that will be large enough to hold your hot links. Set the skillet on the stove and turn the heat to high.^{[9]
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Add the hot links and reduce the heat. Once the water boils, slowly lower as many hot links as you want to cook into the skillet. Try to fit them in a single layer. Turn the heat down to medium so the water bubbles gently.^{[10]
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Simmer the hot links for 5 to 6 minutes. Put the lid on the skillet and let the hot links bubble gently for 5 to 6 minutes.^{[11]
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4
Turn and simmer the hot links for 5 to 6 more minutes. Use an oven mitt to take the lid off of the skillet. Use tongs to turn the hot links over and return the lid to the skillet. Keep simmering the hot links until they're completely hot throughout. This should take another 5 to 6 minutes.^{[12]
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Brown the hot links. If you'd like slightly crispy and browned hot links, pour the hot water out of the skillet. Let the hot links continue to cook in the skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the hot links occasionally so they brown evenly.
6
Serve the hot links. Remove the hot links from the skillet and serve them while they're still hot. Store any leftover hot links in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.^{[13]
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Community Q&A

Question

What do I set the oven to?

Community Answer

Preheat the oven to 300 F, place the sausages in a pan, and cook them for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the hot links, drain the pan, and pierce them with a fork. Return them to the oven and cook them for a further 10 to 15 minutes. The hot links should darken, but not burst.