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Charcoal-grilled Sausages with Onions

I got this from Cook’s Illustrated magazine, American Classics 2009. I have made these several times a year, for about the last 5 years I have learned that you need to read the directions all the way through before you start and follow them exactly. These are yummy!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course

Equipment

  • 13x9 disposable aluminum roasting pan

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lg onions peeled, halved and cut pole to pole into 1/4-inch thick slices
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves I use 1/8 - 1/4 tsp dry
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 lbs sweet or hot Italian sausages or fresh bratwurst 8-12 links (see note below)

Instructions
 

  • Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal (about 100 briquettes), and allow to burn until coals are fully ignited and partially covered with thin layer of ash, about 20 minutes. Build single level fire by arranging coals evenly across bottom of grill. Position cooking grate over coals, cover grill and heat until grate is hot, about 5 minutes; scrape grate clean with grill brush.
  • Meanwhile, combine onions, thyme, salt and pepper in medium microwave safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high power until onions begin to soften and tips turn slightly translucent, 4-6 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking (be careful of steam).
  • Transfer onions to aluminum roasting pan. Place sausage in single layer over onions and wrap roasting pan tightly with foil.
  • Place aluminum roasting pan in center of grill, cover grill, and cook 15 minutes. Move pan to one side of grill and carefully remove foil cover. Using tongs, place sausages on grate directly over coals. Grill sausage uncovered, turning every 1 to 2 minutes, until golden brown on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Transfer sausages to platter and loosely tent with foil. Cover and continue cooking onions, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates and onions begin to brown, 5 to 10 minutes longer.
  • Serve sausages as is, or in a toasted bun. Serve onions separately.

Notes

For Gas-Grilled Sauages with Onions:
Follow recipe for Charcoal-Grilled Sausages with Onions, turning all burners to medium-high and heating grill with lid down until very hot, about 15 minutes. Scrape grate clean with grill brush. Proceed from step 2, grilling sausages with lid down.
Keyword onions, sausage