Tasty 15-Min Sausage Stir Fry

This quick Korean sausage stir-fry has become my go-to dinner fix when I need something tasty and filling in just 15 minutes flat. The mix of plump sausages with that sweet-spicy sauce makes a flavor combo that works amazingly well with a simple bowl of rice.

I stumbled across this dish while hunting for fast Korean-inspired meals to use up some leftover rice. Now my family asks for it all the time, and I really like how I can tweak the heat level based on who's sitting at our dinner table.

Ingredients

• Korean style Vienna Sausages or Mini Cocktail Sausages: They're the perfect tiny protein bites with great texture. Their compact size helps them soak up all that yummy sauce.
• Bell peppers: They bring lovely colors, a nice crunch and natural sweetness. Pick any colors you like or mix them up for a pretty plate.
• Onion: It builds a flavorful base that runs through the whole dish. Try sweet onions if you want something milder.
• Garlic: You can't skip this for true Korean taste. Always go with fresh chopped instead of the jarred stuff for better aroma.
• Ketchup: It creates the sauce foundation with its sweet tanginess. Grab a good brand for tastier results.
• Gochujang: This Korean red pepper paste gives the signature kick and richness. Add more or less depending on how spicy you want it.
• Honey: It cuts through the heat with natural sweetness. Better honey equals better flavor.
• Soy sauce: Brings that savory depth and salt. Try to find naturally brewed types for tastier results.
• Sesame oil: Adds that nutty finish everyone loves. Make sure it's pure toasted sesame oil for the real deal taste.
• Sugar: Helps the sauce get all glossy and caramelized. Plain white sugar does the job perfectly.
• Sesame seeds: A nice optional topping that looks pretty and adds a tiny bit of crunch.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the sausages:

Make 3-5 small cuts on just one side of each mini sausage. This helps them cook better and lets the sauce get inside. Don't cut too deep or they'll fall apart while cooking. I usually do 4 sausages at once to save time.

Mix the sauce:

Stir together ketchup gochujang honey soy sauce sesame oil and sugar in a small bowl until everything's well mixed. You want a shiny sauce with a nice red color. Check that all the sugar's dissolved for smooth texture. You can make this up to a week ahead and keep it in the fridge.

Sauté the aromatics:

Warm up some vegetable oil in a big pan over medium heat until it's hot but not smoking. Toss in onions and garlic and keep stirring for about 30 seconds until they smell good. You want them soft but not brown since that can make things taste bitter.

Cook the vegetables:

Put bell peppers in the pan and cook for another 30 seconds. They should stay a bit crunchy to give different textures in the final dish. Their sweetness will start to come out into the oil, making everything taste better.

Add the sausages:

Put the cut sausages in the pan and stir for 1 minute to start browning them. Put a lid on and let them cook for 3 minutes. The steam inside helps cook them evenly while keeping them juicy. Those cuts you made will let them puff up nicely.

Finish with sauce:

Pour your sauce mix over everything and stir well so it coats all the ingredients. Let it bubble gently for about 30 seconds until it gets thicker and shiny. The sugars will start to caramelize making a pretty shine. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if you want before serving it right away.

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Gochujang really is the key ingredient here. I found out about its amazing flavor-changing powers a few years back when I was trying out Korean cooking, and now I always keep some in my fridge. Even my kids who usually run from spicy food will happily eat this when I use the mild kind.

Perfect Pairing Options

This Korean sausage stir fry goes great with plain white rice that soaks up all that tasty sauce. For a full Korean style meal, add some simple side dishes like kimchi, quick pickled cucumbers or spinach namul. It also fits in perfectly during Korean BBQ nights at home, giving a nice contrast to grilled meats.

Easy Customizations

What's great about this dish is how flexible it is. You can swap out bell peppers for other veggies like broccoli, sugar snap peas or sliced carrots. Want it spicier? Just throw in a teaspoon of gochugaru Korean chili flakes with the sauce. And you don't have to stick with these exact sausages either. Regular hot dogs, sliced smoked sausages or even plant based options work fine using the same cooking method.

Make Ahead Tips

Though this meal cooks up fast, you can get everything ready beforehand to make dinner even quicker. Cut the sausages, mix up the sauce and chop all your veggies up to a day ahead, keeping everything separate in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, just follow the cooking steps for a super fast meal. The finished dish heats up really well in the microwave too, so it's great for packed lunches.

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FAQs About the Recipe

→ What type of sausage works best for this dish?

Mini cocktail sausages, Korean-style Vienna franks, or cut-up bratwurst, knockwurst, or frankfurters all work great in this meal.

→ Can I adjust the spice level in the sauce?

Sure thing! Just tweak the gochujang amount to fit your taste. Want it milder? Use less or pick mild gochujang. Craving heat? Go for the hot stuff or add more.

→ How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Pop any extras in a sealed container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you want to eat them, warm them in a pan with a splash of water or zap them in the microwave until they're hot.

→ What vegetables can I use as substitutes?

Don't have bell peppers? No problem! Try using chopped carrots, broccoli florets, or fresh snap peas for a colorful and tasty stir fry instead.

→ Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just swap out the meat for tofu chunks, tempeh bits, or plant-based sausage alternatives to make a tasty veggie version.

→ What can I serve alongside this dish?

This tasty mix goes really well with a bowl of fluffy jasmine rice or sticky rice. You can also serve it over some stir-fried noodles for a complete meal.