At about fifty cents a can, Vienna sausages are very cheap, but many people do not know what to do with the tiny canned sausages that look more like mini hot dogs. They can be used in a number of main dishes and side dishes, and they can help stretch food dollars in a variety of tasty ways. Try these easy ways to use Vienna sausages from a can, and transform an ordinary ingredient into an extraordinary part of a meal in a matter of minutes.
Beans, Ground Beef, and Vienna Sausage Weenies
One of my favorite main meal dishes was made by my former mother-in-law. She combined canned pork and beans, drained kidney beans, browned and drained crumbled ground beef, and Vienna sausage cut into circular bite-size pieces. She also added diced sweet white onions for added zest, and allowed the mixture to simmer in a crock pot for hours.
This is a great way to use Vienna sausages. They taste great in the pork and bean sauce, and they are a great choice over greasy smoked sausage. This one-pot dish makes a very satisfying meal. Best of all, the combination of ground beef, Vienna sausage, onions, and beans is very easy throw together and keep warm and ready to eat.
Cheap and Tasty Grilled Veggie and Vienna Sausage Kebabs
When looking for cheap ways to make kebabs, use Vienna sausage instead of expensive cuts of meat. White button mushrooms, onions, peppers, and zucchini squash can be steamed. This is an important step since the Vienna sausages will not take long to grill. Skewer the steamed veggies in between whole Vienna sausages. Place the kebabs over low heat on the barbeque grill, and baste them with melted butter combined with garlic, sea salt, and fresh ground peppercorns. These kebabs made with steamed veggies and Vienna sausages will taste absolutely delicious, and nothing like they taste straight from the can.
Fry Vienna Sausages in Butter and Sweet White Onions
For a quick and easy meal, melt butter in a small skillet, and add thin slices of sweet white onion. Sautee the onion until it becomes soft, and add a can or two of drained Vienna sausages. Season it with a little garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and allow the sausages to lightly brown. This easy dish tastes great along with cubed fried potatoes, red beans and rice, or a tossed green salad and crusty French bread. No matter how it is served, this is a fantastic way to use Vienna sausages and save money while enjoying a filling and tasty meal.
Vienna Sausage and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Vienna sausages look like little hot dogs, but they are a little bland on a bun. Forget about hot dog buns and use them to jazz up grilled cheese sandwiches. Spread slices of bread with mayo or butter, and fill them with a variety of cheeses and Vienna sausages that have been sliced down the centers. Brown the sandwiches in a skillet as usual, and enjoy a hearty meal in minutes. Thin slices of ripe red tomatoes can also be added for even more flavor and color.
These are just some of the many ways to use Vienna sausages from a can. Use them in place of smoked sausage or hot dogs in recipe dishes, and come up with some of your own tasty ways to use them. They will help save cut the food bill while providing something other than ordinary fare. Give Vienna sausages a try, and enjoy tiny hot dogs from a can in appealing new ways.
