How To Cook Sausage Stew

Sausage stew is one of the easiest and most comforting meals you can prepare. It is flavourful, hearty, and uses simple ingredients that come together into a warm, satisfying dish. Whether you prefer beef, pork, chicken, or boerewors-style sausages, the method remains the same. The key is to brown the sausages properly, build a rich base with onions and tomatoes, and let everything simmer until the stew thickens. With a few everyday spices, you can create a delicious stew perfect for serving with rice, pap, mashed potatoes, or bread.

1. Prepare and Brown the Sausages
   Begin by cutting the sausages into medium pieces or leaving them whole if you prefer. Heat a little oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the sausages and fry them until browned on all sides. This step gives them a deeper flavour and helps seal in their juices. Do not rush this part — browning adds richness to the final stew. Once browned, remove the sausages and set them aside while you prepare the base.
2. Make the Flavour Base
   In the same pot, add chopped onions and let them cook until soft and golden. Stir in garlic for extra aroma. Add tomatoes or tomato paste and allow them to cook down into a thick, rich sauce. If you are using fresh tomatoes, let them soften completely so the stew becomes smooth and flavourful. Season with salt, pepper, curry powder, paprika, mixed herbs, or any spices you enjoy. This forms the main flavour that the sausages will absorb later.
3. Add Vegetables for Richness
   To make the stew more filling and nutritious, add vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, peas, or green peppers. Stir them into the tomato-onion base and let everything cook together for a few minutes. The vegetables will soften and add natural sweetness and thickness to the stew as they cook. Potatoes especially help create a hearty, homely texture.
4. Simmer the Stew with the Sausages
   Return the browned sausages to the pot. Add enough water or broth to cover the ingredients halfway. Stir gently and bring the pot to a simmer. Cook over medium to low heat for about twenty to thirty minutes. During this time, the sauce thickens, the flavours blend, and the sausages become tender. If the stew becomes too thick, add a little water. If it is too thin, let it simmer uncovered until it reduces. You can finish by adding a spoon of Worcestershire sauce or chutney for deeper flavour.
5. Serve and Enjoy
   Once the stew is thick, rich, and fragrant, remove it from the heat and let it rest for a minute. Serve it hot with rice, pap, mashed potatoes, dumplings, or fresh bread. Sausage stew is hearty, comforting, and full of flavour, making it an ideal dish for family meals or quick weekday dinners.

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