Blog - Cooking On The Ranch

Chicken Apple Sausage Breakfast Hot Dogs

May 12, 2018 By Lea Ann Brown 25 Comments

This is a recipe for Chicken Apple Sausage Hot Dogs that appeared on an Ina Garten episode for an outdoor grilling brunch party. Chicken and apple sausages are drizzled with an amazing mayo and mustard dressing that makes this a delicious chicken hot dog brunch idea.

Chicken apple sausage hotdogs served with fried cubed potatoes.

Breakfast hot dogs. Awhile back I watched Ina Garten putting on Sunday brunch outdoor extravaganza grilling party and promptly bookmarked her chicken sausage breakfast hotdogs to try soon.

I couldn’t think of a better time to give this a try than the beginning of grilling season, a Memorial Day grill-a-thon. First I made and served these up with some spicy country fried potatoes, which I pan cooked before I cooked the sausages and covered in foil to keep them warm.

Meanwhile out on the grill were the sizzling apple flavored chicken sausages waiting to be drizzled with the star of this meal…Ina’s Mustard and Mayo sauce . It’s a luxurious white creamy mayo, sour cream mixture with a hint of tangy mustard. This sauce would make a shoe taste good. On a beautiful sunny Memorial Day morning was a perfect holiday meal. And an easy one at that because the brand of chicken sausages I used are pre-cooked. All they need is a good browning to heat through.

There are so many chicken sausage flavor combinations for us to experiment with these days. Whole Foods carries a nice variety and right now, Costco sells Sabatino’s Chicken Apple Sausage and Smoked Mozzarella with Artichoke and Garlic Chicken Sausage. I always try to pick up these different flavor combinations to experiment with, and we’re loving the Chicken Apple most. A nice flavor combo for our liking. And they’re pre-cooked which makes them an easy meal option, they brown up nice with some impressive grill marks, and they’re low-sugar, gluten-free, nitrite-free and relatively low in fat.

The sauce for these sausage dogs calls for sour cream, so before I share the recipe, let’s talk about that. A couple of months ago when posting a recipe that included sour cream, I received an email from Cathy over at Noble Pig saying “all sour creams are not created equal”. Hmm…never really thought about it. She continued that she always buys the high quality Tillamook brand. I did indeed buy Tillamook and the difference between it and the run of the mill product from Safeway was like night and day …and only for about a dollar more. It had a consistency comparable to Greek Yogurt and a creamy richer flavor that was simply divine.

My advice … spend the extra buck or two for quality. It will make a difference in your recipes. Not to mention that baked potato = ohmy.

Disclaimer: Sabatinos and Tillamook probably don’t know I'm alive and they have never paid me or given me samples to write about their products. Ok, with that said, back to the breakfast.

Looking to host a grilled brunch party, these chicken sausages are an easy way to go. Serve them with:

A big beautiful pitcher of fresh orange juice
A bowl of creamy scrambled eggs with rosemary and capers
Savory Cast Iron Skillet Potatoes
Smoked Salmon Platter
Fruit Salad or a Fruit Trifle
Grilled French Toast Kabobs

Recipe for Chicken Apple Sausage Breakfast Hotdogs

Ina Garten Grilled chicken apple sausage breakfast hotdogs with a mayo and mustard dressing and spicy country fried potatoes

If you’re looking for chicken apple sausage recipes, I hope you give this one a try. And if you do, please come back and let me know how you liked it and give the recipe a star rating. Your feedback is valuable to me for developing future recipes. And if you have a favorite grilled sausage recipe, let me know, I'd love to give it a try.

If you’re looking for more unique hot dog recipes, you won’t want to miss this one for Hawaiian Hotdogs.

And if you’re interested in more breakfast grilling recipe ideas, take a look at this recipe for Zesty Grilled Ham.

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Chicken Apple Sausage Breakfast Hot Dogs

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Breakfast Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 701kcal

Author: Lea Ann Brown

Ingredients

6 Chicken Apple Sausages Good Quality and pre-cooked
6 Hot Dog Buns
1 ½ cups Mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 ½ Tablespoons Whole-grain mustard
⅓ cup Sour cream
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Whisk the mayonnaise, mustards, sour cream and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside while you cook the chicken sausage.
Heat a grill, or a stove-top grill pan over medium high heat. Add chicken sausages and cook 3 minutes per side. Or until heated inside and you’ve got some good grill marks.

Notes

Buy chicken sausages that are pre-cooked.

Nutrition

Ina’s Chicken Apple Sausage Hot Dogs…They’re What’s For Breakfast.

** this is an updated post from June of 2010. Same great recipe, with updated and much better photos.

The Ultimate Father’s Day Burger Lineup: 34 Epic Recipes Dads Love

May 11, 2018 By Lea Ann Brown 6 Comments

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and if there’s one universal truth about celebrating Dady, it’s that the menu must involve the grill. But why settle for a basic cheeseburger when you can create a centerpiece worthy of the occasion. We’ve put together the Ultimate Father’s Day Burger Lineup, packed with epic recipes that go beyond the basics.

Whether the Dad in your life is a classic-cuisine purist or a global flavor enthusiast, or someone who believes more cheese is always better, in this lineup, you’ll find the best Father’s Day Burgers to satisfy every craving. Get ready to fire up the grill and crown Dad the king of the backyard.

The Gourmet and Indulgent Lineup (For the Foodie Dad)
The Classics, Perfect (For The Traditionalist Dad)
Regional and Unique Flavors (For The Adventurous Dad)
FAQ’s
In Conclusion

Juicy Perfect Bison Burgers with A Special BBQ Sauce

And if you’re looking for side dishes to go with hamburgers, don’t miss this lineup for 4th Of July Side Dishes.

The Gourmet and Indulgent Lineup (For the Foodie Dad)

Just Click On The Bold Title Link Above Each Photo – That’s the Link To the Recipe

LAMB BURGERS WITH FETA AND HARISSA AIOLI, Pinch and Swirl

Freshly ground lamb cooked to perfection, creamy feta cheese, peppery arugula, sweet tomato and a feather light brioche bun slathered with harissa aioli.

Lamb burger with feta cheese and harissa aioli.

Shrimp Burgers, Asian Style, This is How I Cook

Shrimp burgers seasoned with garlic, ginger and chile are my favorite thing cooking on the grill. Filled with flavor and topped with a slice of grilled pineapple, these shrimp burgers are one of the best grilled burgers!

Lamb Sliders with Sweet Tomato Chutney, Cooking On The Ranch

Adding rosemary and mint to ground lamb is a classic Mediterranean flavor combination. Top with a sweet tomato chutney and you've got ground lamb burgers with so much flavor you'll savor every bite.

Lamb sliders with mint and sweet tomato chutney.

PEPPER-JACK STUFFED BURGERS WITH BOURBON CARAMELIZED ONIONS, The Cooking Bride

These huge half pound stuffed burgers are filled with spicy pepper jack cheese and topped with sweet bourbon caramelized onions.

Cheesy BLT Burger with Tarragon Dressing, Cooking On The Ranch

Try this unique spin on your next BLT burger by slathering with some homemade Tarragon Dressing.

BLT Burger with creamy tarragon dressing.

ROSEMARY BRIE BURGER WITH RED ONION CHUTNEY, Cooking on the Ranch

These Brie Burgers are seasoned with fresh rosemary and garlic and topped with Red Onion Chutney. Add some Spicy Brown Mustard and a slice of tomato and you've got one fabulous cheeseburger.

Rosemary Brie Burger with Red Onion Marmalade.

DELUXE PIZZA BURGERS, Simply Stacie

Loaded to the max with all your favorite pizza toppings. Take one bite and you'll see why my family raves about these delicious burgers!

UNAMI MUSHROOM BURGER WITH BACON JAM, Beyond Mere Sustenance

This lean umami-rich burger patty pairs perfectly with the slightly sweet, smoky, tangy flavor of the bacon jam.

SMOKED LAMB BURGERS WITH ROSEMARY AIOLI AND AND PICKLED ONIONS, Vindulge

A simple recipe for smoked lamb burgers with a rosemary aioli sauce and pickled onions. Includes instructions on how to smoke meat on a simple Weber Kettle Grill.

Smoked lamb burger with lettuce and tomatos.

PINEAPPLE BARBECUE BURGERS, Seasoned Sprinkles

These burgers are well worth the sticky hands that come from mixing the ingredients together. Topped with a slice of juicy, sweet grilled pineapple and a crunchy cheddar cheese crisp.

ASIAN STICKY PORK BELLY BURGERS WITH QUICK PICKLED VEGETABLES, Kitchen Sanctuary

Sticky Asian style melt-in-the-mouth pork belly, stuffed into a soft brioche bun and loaded with quick pickled veggies and a jalapeno kick! This is one indulgent pork burger.

BEEF BOURGUIGNON BURGER WITH HORSERADISH CREME FRAICHE, The Suburban SoapBox

All the flavors of the classic french stew packed into a burger! This Beef Bourguignon Burger with Horseradish Creme Fraiche is as amazing as it sounds.

NO MESSIN’ VEAL BURGER, Krumpli

This Veal Burger is my idea of a real indulgent treat, a rose veal patty is accompanied by nutty Gouda cheese, Parma Ham and sticky cooked Onions.

ROAST CHICKEN AND CREAMY GARLIC MUSHROOM BURGER, Kitchen Sanctuary

My Roast Chicken & Creamy Garlic Mushroom Burger is a complete meal in burger form. So delicious - but make sure you have napkins on hand!!

The Classics, Perfect (For The Traditionalist Dad)

The Maverick Burger, Cooking On The Ranch

Meet The Maverick Burger, proof that "simple" can still be next level. A juicy burger patty, melted American and Swiss cheeses … the secret to it's unique flavor is in the bun.

Maverick burger with American and Swiss Cheese.

BEER CHEESE BURGERS ON SOFT PRETZEL BUNS, Farm House Eats

Juicy burgers smothered in beer cheese sauce and topped with caramelized beer onions and jalapeños all on soft pretzel buns!

Grass Fed Beef Burger with Chipotle Mayo and Avocado

Unleash a flavor fiesta and kick up your burger game with Homemade Chipotle Mayo.

BRAT BURGERS, An Affair From The Heart

Perfectly seasoned, flavorful brat burgers - looks like a burger, tastes like a bratwurst! Top it with a mound of sauerkraut, and grab yourself a cold one.

When Looking For The Best Grilled Hamburger Recipes, Don’t Forget Ground Chicken or Ground Turkey.

Jalapeno Turkey Burgers For The Grill – Cooking On The Ranch

Who says Turkey Burgers have to play second fiddle to beef? These Turkey Burgers for the Grill are juicy, boldly seasoned and so full of flavor you'll forget they're the "healthy" option. Fire up the grill because this is a grilled turkey burger that can finally rival, and maybe replace your favorite beef burger.

The Juicy Lucy Burger, The Hungry Bluebird

A Juicy Lucy is an inside-out cheeseburger. An iconic burger that is popular in the Twin Cities.

Juicy Lucy Burger, Stuffed Cheeseburger.

BEER BURGERS WITH BEER ONION JAM, Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen

Take your burgers to the next level by adding a little beer and serving them with delicious, homemade beer onion jam and melted cheese. Perfect for summer barbecues.

Steakhouse Burger with Fry Sauce, Cooking On The Ranch

Looking for the ultimate burger recipe? How about a classic steakhouse burger made easy in your own kitchen. This burger is fully loaded with flavor using a special mix of seasonings. And becomes even more special by adding a drizzle of Fry Sauce. You'll flip your lid over the combo of flavors.

Steakhouse cheese burger with fry sauce served with onion rings.

Silver Spur Ranch Blue Cheese Burger, Cooking On The Ranch

Elevate your burger game with these Silver Spur Ranch Blue Cheese Burgers. Juicy and full of flavor, this Western style blue cheese burger is absolutely mouthwateringly delicious.

Blue Cheese Burgers served with a salad and fries.

STUFFED BURGERS, Low Carb With Jennifer

Stuffed burgers with cheese and bacon are all the rage so I am showing you my version! Juicy, full of flavor (literally), and all of the stuffing stays in the middle where it belongs!

Black and Blue Burgers, Cooking On The Ranch

Black and Blue Burgers will wow your burger loving family. Blackened seasoning gives burger patties a little extra kick while sharp blue cheese adds a layer of complex flavor. You can either use a store-bought blackening spice or make your own.

Black and blue burger with red onion, tomato and lettuce.

Jalapeno A1 Steak Sauce Burger

A little heat from diced jalapeno and a savory kick from A-1 steak sauce, a wonderful combo for an exciting burger.

Jalapeno steak sauce burger on a sesame seed bun with american cheese, lettuce and tomato.

CARAMELIZED ONION AND GRUYERE BURGER, Foodie Girl Chicago

This one is topped with caramelized onions and melted Gruyère for an extra pop of flavor!!

Regional and Unique Flavors (For The Adventurous Dad)

Hatch Green Chile Cheeseburger, Cooking On The Ranch

Roasted New Mexico Hatch Chile peppers turn a normal burger into an iconic Green Chile Cheeseburger that will capture your burger loving attention.

Green Chile Cheeseburger with a toasted bun.

HATCH GREEN CHILE CHICKEN BURGERS – Cooking On The Ranch

Looking to switch up your Burger Game this Summer? Try these Green Chile Chicken Burgers. Oozing with green chiles and Southwestern flair.

Green chile chicken burger on a sesame bun with red leaf lettuce.

CANYON CREEK BURGER FROM TED’S MONTANA GRILL, Creative Culinary

Whether you choose beef or bison, you simply cannot go wrong with this Canyon Creek Burger from Ted's Montana Grill. Beef or Bison served with cheese, bacon, fried egg, jalapeno, and jam.

Chicken Chorizo Burgers, Cooking On The Ranch

These Chicken Chorizo Burgers nail it when it comes to flavor and texture. The chorizo adds just enough pizzaz to make this a juicy burger that you’ll want to make over and over. Take a whole new approach to burgers and try this combination with a spicy kick.

Chicken chorizo burger with homemade quick pickles.

JUICY PERFECT BISON BURGERS, Cooking on the Ranch

Ground Bison meat is flavored with onion, rosemary, thyme and Worcestershire sauce. And with a special homemade secret sauce you've got a delicious version for a lower cholesterol burger! Simply a great way to make Bison Burgers.

Bison burger recipe topped with onions and special bbq sauce.

You’ll want to reference these hamburger recipes all Summer long for your backyard grill parties.

Bobby Flay Texas Burgers with Cole Slaw, Cooking on The Ranch

Juicy, delicious, topped with slaw and BBQ Sauce. Perfect crowd pleasing burger for your next back yard cookout.

Bobby Flay Texas Burger topped with cole slaw and BBQ sauce served with grilled corn

FAQ’s

What Is The Best Cut Of Beef For A Juicy Burger?

A blend of 80/20 Chuck is usually recommended for the perfect balance of flavor and moisture.

Should I Flatten My Burger Patties Before Grilling?

Using your thumb, gently create a small dimple in the center of the patty to prevent it from swelling and becoming football shaped while cooking.

How Far In Advance Can I Prepare Burger Patties?

Burger patties can be shaped and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Separate them with parchment paper and cover them loosely with plastic wrap.

What Side Dishes Pair Best With Father’s Day Burgers?

Keep it classic: Classic Old Fashioned Potato Salad, Classic Macaroni Salad, Coleslaw, Baked Beans or Oven Fries.

In Conclusion

What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than with a mouth-watering lineup of the best Father’s Day Burgers. Whether your dad is a traditionalist who prefers a classic cheeseburger, or an adventurous eater who likes to try unique burger recipes, there’s a burger out there that will make his day.

If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration on what to cook for Father’s Day, this line-up will give you plenty of ideas. So fire up the grill and get ready to make dad’s day delicious with these burger recipe for dads.

Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe

May 7, 2018 By Lea Ann Brown 14 Comments

I’ve had this recipe in my database for as long as I can remember. Its title reads The Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe. It’s somewhat my go-to recipe for grilled shrimp kabobs, which I make several times during the grilling season. In this a recipe the shrimp is marinated in bright flavors, grilled and then served with a sassy butter dipping sauce. This grilled shrimp skewer recipe is one that you’ll want to keep on hand for your next BBQ.

Best grilled shrimp recipe served with dipping sauce.

I take a hard stand when it comes to calling a recipe on my blog “the best.” After all, it’s only my opinion and everyone’s tastes are different. I feel like if I’m often calling something the best, it’s as if I’m simply using a marketing ploy to gain traffic.

Not to mention, I spent my career in sales, and the number one golden rule was always “under promise, over deliver”.

I’ve only done it a couple other times on this blog for The Best Pasta Salad Ever. And that’s because, just for fun, I used those words as a search term to find a pasta salad recipe. That’s what the recipe was named, and after reviewing the ingredients, and deciding it sounded delicious, I made it, and really? It may just be the best pasta salad ever.

Then there was this recipe for The Best Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe. That was voluntary on my part, because honestly thought this recipe was outstanding and the best I’d ever had.

So, with all that said, this is a really good recipe for grilled shrimp kabobs, and for some reason twenty years ago, I entered this into my data base as, The Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe.

Cooking shrimp on the grill is about the most classic way to cook our favorite little crustaceans. It’s quick, it’s easy and they cook in less time that it takes to pre-heat your grill. And the smoky flavor that clings to the sweet shrimp meat is divine.

To kick this recipe up a notch, this version for grilled shrimp spends some time in a bright and lively marinade consisting of some of some of my favorite staples, olive oil, soy sauce and dry sherry. The end result is a highly flavored treat.

Tips for Grilling Shrimp:

Buy large or jumbo shrimp. Larger shrimp are much easier to manage on the grill and are easier and less apt overcook and dry out.
Marinate and grill the shrimp with shells on. The shells act as a cocoon and a barrier to keep the moisture in and prevent the heat from overcooking the interior too quickly. That shell helps keep that flavor inside.
If cooking shrimp that has been shelled, skewer them close together, even touching. This slows down the process of the interior of the shrimp overcooking and allows one to get a nice golden color on the skin. This is how I cooked the shrimp for this recipe.
When skewering shrimp, use two rods. It prevents the shrimp from spinning and makes them a much easier to flip and maneuver.
Shrimp should be grilled hot and fast. The shrimp are ready to turn when the underside is just beginning to turn pink.
To know if shrimp are cooked properly: straight shrimp are undercooked, shrimp curled into a "C" are done, shrimp closed in a tight curl are overcooked.
Please purchase Wild American Shrimp as opposed to farmed shrimp from over seas. There’s a world of difference in both flavor and texture. It’s the right thing to do and it just flat out tastes better.

The Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe:

I hope you give these BBQ shrimp skewers a try. And if you do, please come back and let me know how you liked it and give the recipe a star rating. Your feedback is valuable to me for developing future recipes. And if you have a favorite grilled shrimp recipe, let me know, I'd love to give it a try.

This recipe makes a great main course served alongside some Green Rice and a Vegetable Medley. Or can be served as a shrimp appetizer. Either way, it’s a flavorful Summer treat.

And if you’re looking for more grilled shrimp recipes, you won’t want to miss this one for Shrimp and Mahi Mahi Kabobs with Jalapeno Butter.

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

The Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe

I’ve had this recipe in my database for as long as I can remember. It’s title reads Best Grilled Shrimp Recipe. It’s somewhat my go-to recipe for grilled shrimp kabobs, as we make this several times during the grilling season. This is a recipe where shrimp is marinated in bright flavors, grilled and then served with a sassy butter dipping sauce.

Prep Time30

Cook Time10

Total Time40

Course: Main Course Seafood

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 604kcal

Author: Lea Ann Brown