Grilled Sausage and Peppers (2024)

Published: Jun 20, 2024 by Will · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Nothing screams summer BBQ more than perfectly grilled sausage on a bun smothered with grilled onions and pepper.

Backyard BBQ, baseball game tailgate, beach day, & pool party are only a couple of summer moments when grilled sausage and peppers are the BEST item on the menu!

The spiciness of the hot italian sausages with a nice char on the outside paired with the sweetness of the bell peppers will excite your taste buds and make your eyes widen with the burst of amazing flavor!

We are currently in the heart of grilling season and if this grilled sausage and peppers recipe is not on your summer to-cook list, it NEEDS to be.

Just like my smoked hot dogs recipe on this site, this summer sausage dish pairs well with my smoked baked beans side dish. This is a match made in heaven.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Variations
Equipment
Top tip
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Grilled Sausage and Peppers
Food safety

Sausage & Pepper Video (Step-by-Step)

Ingredients

You guessed it, this recipe is pretty self explanatory! We are going to be grilling very tasty sausages (hot italian, sweet italian, or both) and topping them with freshly sliced onions and peppers.

Add a little seasoning to enhance but NOT overpower the flavor. Do this and you will have a grilled sausage and peppers recipe sure to please everyone!

Italian Sausages (spicy, sweet, or both)
Onion
Bell peppers
Hot dog or sausage buns
Olive oil
Salt, pepper, garlic

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Step 1: Slice bell peppers and onions into long strips.

Step 2: Preheat grill to 350-400°F and place cast iron pan on grill.

Step 3: Place sausages on grill grates and poke 4 holes in each sausage with toothpick or knife to prevent splitting and bursting while cooking.

Step 4: Warm oil in cast iron skillet and add onions and peppers. Season with SPG. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes.

Step 5: Cook sausages to an internal temperature of 160°F turning several times while cooking.

Step 6: Grill buns for 30 seconds if desired.

Step 7: Place sausage on bun and top with grilled onions and peppers. Can also serve on a plate with side dishes, no bun.

Variations

When it comes to sausage, there are MANY choices to go with. Doing a mixture is a good way to allow everyone at your barbecue to choose their favorite sausage.

Sausage Meat - The most common is pork. But chicken sausage will give guests a leaner & more calorie friendly sausage if desired.
Sausage Flavors - I love using a variety. Spicy Italian sausage, sweet Italian, bratwurst, and kielbasa are the best sausages to use when grilling and topping with peppers.
Bell Peppers - I like using red bell peppers & yellow bell peppers. But substitute with whichever color you like.
Buns - Hot dog buns or sausage buns (larger than hot dog buns) are recommended. This can be served in grilled tortillas as well. Simply slice sausages after grilling and mix into the onion and pepper mix. Then scoop and add into tortilla for a nice sausage taco.

Equipment

A grill is a must for this sausage and pepper recipe. You just can't replicate the grilled flavor cooking on a stove. Use whatever grill you have. Charcoal grill, propane grill, or pellet grill will work great.

I used my Weber Genesis grill (affiliate link) which has a spot for a cast iron wok (affiliate link). The designated cast iron spot is one of the reasons I bought this grill.

Storage & Leftovers

Store the grilled italian sausage and peppers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To re-heat, the microwave is honestly the easiest and good way to reheat these sausages and veggies. Toast the buns in a toaster oven or grill. You can also reheat the sausages on the grill or in a pan on the stove over low heat until warmed through.

Top tip

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the middle of the sausages are cooked to 160 degrees fahrenheit. Turn down grill temp if fat falling from sausages is causing excessive flare ups burning the sausages.

FAQ

Are sausages already cooked?

It depends. Most pork sausage is NOT cooked and needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F before eating. Chicken sausage is commonly already cooked and simply needs to be heated to consume. Check the package or ask your butcher if the sausages you are purchasing are cooked or uncooked.

What internal temperature do sausages need to be cooked to?

Cook sausages to a minimum of 160°F. Sausages are able to handle more heat without affecting texture or juiciness, so don't be worried if they go higher to around 185°F.

How long to grill sausages on a grill?

Grill uncooked sausages for about 15 minutes at 350°F to cook all the way thru to an internal temperature of at least 160°F. This time will vary depending on size of sausages.

Grill lid open or closed when grilling sausages?

You will be moving and rolling sausages while they are cooking to prevent them from burning in one spot. So leaving the grill open is fine. You can close the lid as well, but monitor the amount of smoke coming out of grill which indicates your sausages have caught fire (grill temp is too hot)

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with grilled sausage and peppers:

Smoked Mac and Cheese (plus video)
Buttery Smoked Corn on the Cob
Smoked Baked Beans (with Bacon!)