Cider-Braised Sausage with Apples
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Yield: 4 servings
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Tips: Bratwurst, Kielbasa, smoked sausage or other sausages may be used. You will need a large skillet with a lid (or a large piece of aluminum foil may be used instead of lid) for this dish.
The beauty of sausage is that there are so many types of sausage and endless ways they can be prepared and cooked. This savory and mildly sweet Cider-Braised Sausage with Apples recipe is as simple and easy as can be, yet is
packed with wonderful flavor! This sausage recipe features sausages, sliced onions and sliced Fuji (or Gala) apples cooked in seasoned apple cider. The above photo shows this dish made with bratwurst, though smoked sausage, kielbasa style sausage or sweet Italian sausage will work as well (spicy sausages are not recommended for this dish, because they tend to compete with the sweetness of the apples). Uncooked fresh sausages or pre-cooked sausages can be used with this recipe. When using fresh uncooked sausages, be sure to cook until they are cooked through. The sausages are first browned in a skillet, then set aside. The onions are sautéed until golden brown and tender, then the apples, seasonings and sausages are added, and apple cider is poured over the top. After only 20 minutes on the stove, this tasty dish is ready to serve! A side of Bran Cornbread or traditional cornbread goes perfectly with this dish.
Recipe▼
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 pre-cooked or fresh uncooked bratwurst (about 1 lb.)
- 1 large onion, sliced (to about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick)
- 2 Fuji or Gala apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch slices (at thickest parts)
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups fresh apple cider
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add sausages and brown thoroughly, turning as necessary to brown all surfaces (about 5 minutes total). Transfer sausages to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Add onion to skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until lightly browned (about 2-3 minutes). Add apple slices, thyme, salt and pepper and stir just until combined.
Return sausages to skillet, emmersing the sausages down into the apple/onion mixture. Pour apple cider over sausages. Place skillet lid loosely over the skillet (leave a small opening so steam can escape). (Alternatively, a large piece of aluminum foil can be placed over the skillet, leaving a small opening for steam to escape). Reduce heat to medium-low and braise sausages and onion/apple mixture for 20 minutes. (Note: If using fresh uncooked sausages, cook for 20 minutes or until sausages are cooked through.)
Transfer sausages to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Reduce heat to medium and cook onion, apple and cider mixture, uncovered, for an additional 2-3 minutes.
To serve, arrange sausages on individual plates and spoon the apple mixture alongside, then drizzle over all with the cooking liquids.
Add onion to skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until lightly browned (about 2-3 minutes). Add apple slices, thyme, salt and pepper and stir just until combined.
Return sausages to skillet, emmersing the sausages down into the apple/onion mixture. Pour apple cider over sausages. Place skillet lid loosely over the skillet (leave a small opening so steam can escape). (Alternatively, a large piece of aluminum foil can be placed over the skillet, leaving a small opening for steam to escape). Reduce heat to medium-low and braise sausages and onion/apple mixture for 20 minutes. (Note: If using fresh uncooked sausages, cook for 20 minutes or until sausages are cooked through.)
Transfer sausages to a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Reduce heat to medium and cook onion, apple and cider mixture, uncovered, for an additional 2-3 minutes.
To serve, arrange sausages on individual plates and spoon the apple mixture alongside, then drizzle over all with the cooking liquids.
