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Easy Smoked Sausage and Pepper Skewers: Best Tailgating Recipe

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These easy smoked sausage and pepper skewers are the ultimate tailgating food—quick to prep, easy to cook on the grill, and perfect for eating standing up with a drink in hand. Smoky sausage, sweet bell peppers, and red onion are marinated in a simple balsamic-garlic mixture and grilled to caramelized perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound smoked sausage (Hillshire Farm beef smoked sausage or Johnsonville smoked brats recommended)
  • 2 large bell peppers (any color, cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 1 large red onion (cut into wedges, layers separated)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Wooden or metal skewers (soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Slice the sausage into 1-inch thick rounds.
  3. Cut bell peppers into 1-inch square pieces. Cut red onion into wedges and separate layers.
  4. Add sausage, bell peppers, and onion to the marinade. Toss gently to coat. Let marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. If refrigerated, bring to room temperature 20 minutes before grilling.
  5. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Thread sausage, bell pepper, and onion pieces onto skewers, alternating and leaving a little space between each piece. You should get 6 to 8 skewers.
  7. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375°F to 400°F).
  8. Grill skewers for 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning once or twice, until sausage is charred and peppers are tender with blackened spots. Total cooking time: 10 to 12 minutes.
  9. Remove from grill and let rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm, straight off the skewer or on a platter.

Notes

For best results, let the sausage and vegetables marinate for at least 15 minutes. If using wooden skewers, soak them for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Don’t overcrowd the skewers—leave space between pieces for even cooking. Pat vegetables dry before marinating to help the marinade stick. Use two parallel skewers per portion to prevent spinning. Let the grill do the work—don’t flip too often. Keep a spray bottle handy for flare-ups. Assemble skewers up to 24 hours ahead for tailgating convenience.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoked sausage skewers, tailgating recipe, grilled sausage and peppers, easy appetizer, game day food

Find it online: https://milaspoon.com/easy-smoked-sausage-and-pepper-skewers-best-tailgating-recipe/