Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers

I make my Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers on the grill in my cast iron pan. This method is the easiest way to keep cooking consolidated to one place and make charred sausage with soft, caramelized peppers and onions.

Looking for some more summer favorites? Try our Italian Ring Sausage, Chicken Spiedini, or Zucchini alla Scapece!

Why this Grill Method Works for Sausage and Peppers

I started making Grilled Sausage and Peppers in the cast iron because I hated having to sauté the peppers and onions inside, then go outside to grill the sausage. I love that this way, I get to spend the whole time cooking outside instead of running back and forth!

This cooking method is perfect for getting good char and caramelization on the sausages with really flavorful peppers and onions. I heat up my cast iron pan right in my gas grill. We use the cast iron pan to cook the peppers and onions while the sausage gets grilled right next to them.

Then you can combine everything right in the cast iron, to make a delicious and saucy dish. I always make a sausage and peppers sandwich on a roll or with my Homemade Cast Iron Focaccia Bread. Plus, there is minimal clean-up since you're cooking outside and only using one pan. You can toast your rolls right on the grill.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Sausage- I always use a combination of my Homemade Hot and Sweet Italian Sausage. The two together always add more flavor, and I don't make my hot sausage too spicy!
• Peppers- I use equal red and green peppers, but you can use one or the other.
• Garlic- I like the whole cloves of garlic in sausage and peppers because they soften up and they're so delicious without any of the bitter flavor.
• Butter. I like to add a couple pats of butter at the end to help emulsify the sauce. It makes it a little creamier, and it's a great technique for a dish like Sausage and Peppers, and more traditionally used in creamy dishes like Mushroom Truffle Risotto.

Don't like pork? You can use any kind of sausage you prefer. Chicken sausage goes well with this recipe!

*Please see the recipe card below for more information on ingredients.

How to Make Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers

This technique is the easiest way to make sausage and peppers on the grill. I heat the cast iron pan on the gas grill so that I can cook the sausage right in the pan next to the sausage grilling.

Step 1: Place the cast iron right on my grill and preheat it with the grill to 400-500℉. Prep the sausage by adding a little olive oil to coat them, so that they don't stick to the grill and pop. Place the sausage on the grill. Turn the sausage every 3-4 minutes until they reach 160℉. Remove the sausage from the grill and rest it on the cutting board for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Add olive oil to the pan, then add peppers, onions, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and stir. Stir the peppers and onions every 5-10 minutes until they begin to soften. Cover with aluminum foil to quicken the process.

Step 3: Cut the sausage and add it to the peppers and onions. Stir well and continue cooking for a few more minutes while peppers continue to cook. Remove the pan from the grill when the peppers have softened.

Step 4: Add the butter and stir until combined. Serve sausage and peppers on a roll. Spoon the sauce onto the sandwich.

Serve Grilled Italian Sausage and Peppers at your next barbecue or for an easy weeknight meal! It's great on its own or served with other classic summer sides or apps like Antipasto Caprese Skewers, Italian Summer Pasta with Zucchini, or Grilled Eggplant!

What to Serve with Sausage and Peppers?

• Summer cold salads: We always have a cold summer salad when we're grilling, like Italian Pasta Salad, Summer Farro Salad with Cannellini Beans, or Italian Green Bean Salad. Plus, you can make it ahead of time!
• Italian Appetizers: Serve sausage and peppers with appetizers like Italian Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms or Perfect Grilled Polenta with Marinara and Pesto.
• If you're having a party, you can grill sausage and peppers along with some other grilled proteins like Grilled Stuffed Pork Chops or Chicken Spiedini.
• When you're eating Italian, you can't pass up a good Italian dessert like Pistachio Cream Tiramisu or Rainbow Cookie Cake.

FAQs about Making Sausage and Peppers

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