Sausages on the BBQ — what types and how do you grill them? | The Rub Kitchen

Sausage is one of the easiest and most versatile BBQ dishes — but it's also where a lot can go wrong. Burst casings, dry insides, burnt outside and raw inside. With the right technique and choice of sausage, sausage on the BBQ will always be a hit — and it's one of the best ways to taste international BBQ cultures at home.

Which sausage is best on the BBQ?

Merguez

North African lamb sausage with harissa, cumin, and coriander — spicy, aromatic, and thin. Perfect for direct heat, 6–8 minutes total. Available at Moroccan and Turkish butchers.

Bratwurst

German pork sausage, mild and juicy. Classic for the BBQ. Do not pierce — otherwise, you'll lose the juice. 12–15 minutes on medium direct heat.

Boerewors

South African sausage with coriander seed, allspice, and vinegar. Grilled in a spiral. Never pierce. → More about braai and boerewors

Chorizo (fresh)

Spanish or Mexican fresh chorizo — not the dried variety. High-fat content causes a lot of flare-ups — grill indirectly for the first phase, then briefly directly for color. 15–18 minutes total.

Chicken Sausage

Lower fat content — dries out faster. Grill on medium heat, not too hot. Core temperature of 74°C is sufficient.

Rookworst (Smoked Sausage)

Already cooked — only needs to be warmed up on the BBQ, 8–10 minutes. Slice diagonally for more surface area and better caramelization.

How to grill sausage without it bursting?

  • Never pierce — the juice will run out and the sausage will dry out
  • Start on indirect heat — cook the sausage through on lower heat, then briefly direct for color
  • Not too hot — too high direct heat will cause the casing to burst before the meat is cooked
  • Turn regularly — every 2–3 minutes, for even cooking and color
  • Core temperature — pork and lamb: 70°C, chicken: 74°C

Do rubs work with sausage?

A thin layer of dry rub on sausage adds an extra layer of flavor and helps with caramelization. Do not rub too heavily — the spices in the sausage are already strong. Tips:

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