Grilled BBQ Sausage (Printable View)

Smoky grilled sausages basted in tangy BBQ sauce, caramelized for a bold, crowd-pleasing summer main.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 8 pork or beef sausages (about 1.1 lb)

→ BBQ Sauce

02 - 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
03 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
04 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
06 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ To Serve

10 - 4 hot dog buns (optional)
11 - Sliced onions, pickles, or coleslaw (optional)

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat your grill or barbecue to medium heat to ensure an even cooking surface.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine tomato ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and ground black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
03 - Arrange sausages on the grill. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning regularly to achieve even browning and ensure sausages are cooked through.
04 - For the last 5 minutes of grilling, brush the sausages generously with the prepared BBQ sauce. Continue turning to caramelize the coating on all sides.
05 - Transfer hot sausages to buns, if desired, and serve with additional BBQ sauce and your choice of sliced onions, pickles, or coleslaw.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It only takes 30 minutes start to finish, so you can actually join the fun instead of just manning the grill.
  • The homemade BBQ sauce tastes a million times better than anything bottled, and you can tweak it to your mood.
02 -
  • If you rush the caramelizing step, the sugars will burn instead of creating that lacquered coat—so keep an eye out and your tongs ready.
  • Brushing with sauce too early means it drips off, not on—wait for the sausages to be nearly done for that sticky finish.
03 -
  • Always oil your grill grates to avoid sausages sticking or tearing skin when you turn them.
  • Smoky sausages work best, but you can cold smoke them or even add a few wood chips to your grill for added aroma.

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