Sausage Sizzle
The quintessential Australian snag in bread – a grilled sausage served in a slice of white bread, topped with caramelized onions and your choice of sauce. A beloved staple at community events, elections (the 'democracy sausage'), and weekend barbecues.
🧂 Ingredients
- 8 Beef sausages(Good quality butcher's sausages are recommended for best flavour.)
- 8 White bread rolls or slices(Soft white bread rolls are traditional, but slices of white bread also work.)
- 2 large Onions(Yellow or brown onions, thinly sliced.)
- 1-2 tablespoons Vegetable oil or butter(For cooking the onions.)
- for serving Tomato sauce(Also known as 'red sauce'.)
- for serving Barbecue sauce
- for serving Mustard(Yellow mustard is common.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the onions: Thinly slice the onions. If using a flat-top barbecue (hotplate), you can cook them directly on it. If using a grill, you may want to use a foil tray or cook them in a separate pan.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Preheat your barbecue or grill to medium-high heat. Aim for a temperature of approximately 200°C (400°F). Ensure the cooking surface is clean.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Cook the onions: Add the oil or butter to the hotplate or pan. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are softened, golden brown, and caramelized. This will take about 15-20 minutes. If they start to burn, reduce the heat slightly. They should be sweet and tender.
⏱️ 15-20 minutes - 4
Cook the sausages: Place the sausages on the preheated barbecue. Cook for approximately 12-15 minutes, turning them regularly with tongs to ensure even browning and cooking through. They should be nicely browned and firm to the touch, with no pinkness inside.
⏱️ 12-15 minutes - 5
Prepare the bread: While the sausages are cooking, lightly toast the bread rolls or slices if desired. Some prefer them untoasted for a softer texture.
- 6
Assemble the sizzle: Place a cooked sausage diagonally onto a slice of bread or into a split roll. Top generously with the caramelized onions. Add your preferred sauces and condiments (tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard).
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a 'democracy sausage', ensure you're voting at a polling place that's hosting a sausage sizzle!
- ✓The order of onions (under or over the sausage) is a hotly debated topic among enthusiasts.
- ✓Grilling the bread rolls lightly can add a nice texture, but isn't strictly necessary.
- ✓Don't overcrowd the barbecue; cook sausages in batches if necessary to ensure they grill rather than steam.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a slice of cheese on top of the sausage while it's still hot to melt.
- Use gourmet sausages such as chorizo, lamb, or herb-infused varieties.
- Include other toppings like fried onions, bacon, or relish.