Easy Curried Sausages: The Retro Comfort Food Ready in 20 Minutes

Remember walking into your kitchen as a kid and catching that first whiff of curry powder dancing through the air?

For me, a plate of curried sausages instantly brings back memories of family dinners and the golden, rich gravy pooling around those perfectly browned sausages.

This beloved dish has been winning hearts at dinner tables since the ’80s, and honestly, it’s still a lifesaver for those of us scrambling to get a tasty meal on the table after a long day.

Back in the day, many recipes had you boiling those sausages (talk about robbing them of flavor!). But this version?

We’re cranking up the deliciousness by browning them first and letting their savory goodness become the foundation of an incredible curry sauce.

The best part? You’ll have this on the table in 20 minutes using ingredients you probably already have. It’s amazing how a few simple tweaks can turn ordinary sausages into tonight’s dinner hero.

What Makes This Recipe Special

• The Flavor Magic: Think juicy sausages swimming in a velvety, mildly spiced curry gravy, with sweet veggies that balance everything out. It’s comfort food at its finest.
• No Chef Skills Needed: If you can stir a pot, you can make this! The techniques are so straightforward, you’ll nail it on your first try.
• Game-Changing Tip: Don’t skip cooking your curry powder for 30 seconds before adding liquid. I was shocked at how this tiny step makes the flavors pop!
• One-Pan Wonder: Keep everything in the same pan as you cook. Not only will you build incredible flavor, but you’ll also thank yourself when it’s time to wash dishes.

Why This Will Become Your Go-To Weeknight Dinner

• You’ll have dinner on the table in 20 minutes flat (faster than delivery!)
• No special shopping trip needed—your pantry probably has everything already
• Just one pan to wash when you’re done (you’re welcome)
• Works beautifully with whatever sides you have on hand—rice, potatoes, pasta, you name it
• Make a double batch and freeze portions for those “I can’t even” kind of days
• Need gluten-free? No problem—just a couple simple swaps (more on that below)
• Even picky eaters love this mild curry flavor—it’s the dish that brings peace to the dinner table

What You’ll Need for Curried Sausages Recipe

• Sausages (600g/1.2lb): The real stars here—grab good quality ones with visible meat chunks. Trust me, this is where the magic starts.
• Oil (1/2 tbsp): Just a splash to get things going.
• Garlic (2 cloves): Because what good curry doesn’t start with garlic? It adds that wonderful aromatic base.
• Onion (1): Creates that sweet foundation for our curry and adds lovely texture.
• Carrot (1): Brings natural sweetness, a pop of color, and sneaks in some veggies.
• Curry Powder (1 tbsp+): The heart and soul of this dish! I love Keens mild curry powder, but use your favorite or adjust if you like it spicier.
• Flour (3 tbsp): This transforms our sauce from liquid to luscious gravy.
• Chicken Stock (2 cups): Please don’t swap this for water—the stock brings so much depth that water just can’t match.
• Sugar (1 tsp): Just a touch to balance all those savory flavors.
• Salt (1/2 tsp): Wakes up all the other flavors.
• Black Pepper (1/2 tsp): Adds warmth without heat.
• Peas (1 cup, frozen): That perfect pop of green that brightens the whole dish—plus, they’re always in the freezer when you need them.

You’ll find exact measurements in the recipe card at the end.

Let’s Get Cooking!

1. Get those sausages golden: Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop in your sausages and let them sizzle until they’re nicely browned all over (about 5-6 minutes). They’ll finish cooking later, so no need to worry about the inside yet. Take them out and slice them diagonally if you’d like—it looks prettier and helps them soak up more sauce.
2. Build your flavor foundation: See all those tasty brown bits in the pan? That’s gold! Toss your garlic and onion right into the same skillet with those sausage drippings. Give them a couple of minutes to soften and become fragrant. Your kitchen should start smelling amazing about now.
3. Wake up your curry powder: Here’s the game-changer—add your curry powder directly to the onion mixture and stir constantly for 30 seconds. I used to skip this step until a friend showed me how it releases all those essential oils and transforms the flavor. Night and day difference!
4. Create your gravy starter: Sprinkle your flour over everything and keep stirring for another 30 seconds. This quick cook prevents that raw flour taste nobody wants and sets up your gravy for success.
5. Bring on the saucy goodness: Pour in your chicken stock a bit at a time, stirring constantly to avoid any lumps (nobody wants surprise flour balls in their dinner!). Add your carrots, a touch of sugar, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir.
6. Bring it all together: Now welcome those sausages back to the pan along with your frozen peas. Let everything bubble gently for about 3 minutes until your sauce hugs a spoon and your sausages are cooked through.
7. Get it on the table: Ladle this beauty over fluffy mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Then watch as everyone suddenly appears at the dinner table without being called twice!

Insider Tips That Make All the Difference

• The sausage secret: I learned this the hard way—those cheap, uniformly pink sausages just don’t cut it. Spend the extra dollar on sausages where you can actually see meat chunks. Your taste buds will high-five you.
• Brown, don’t boil: My grandmother used to boil her sausages, and I always wondered why mine tasted better. That golden-brown exterior is where all the magic happens. Don’t rush this step!
• Sauce too thick or thin? No worries! If your gravy gets too thick (it happens if you walk away for a minute!), just splash in a bit more stock. Too thin? Let it bubble away for an extra minute or two.
• That 30-second curry cook: I was tempted to skip this step once when in a hurry. Big mistake! Those 30 seconds wake up all the flavor compounds in your curry powder. It’s like the difference between instant and fresh-ground coffee.
• Trust your taste buds: Every curry powder has its own personality. Before serving, grab a spoon and taste. Need more salt? A bit more curry powder? Make it yours!

Make It Your Own

• Sneak in more veggies: Last week I tossed in some bell peppers and mushrooms from the back of my fridge, and my kids didn’t even notice! Try adding corn, spinach, or green beans—whatever needs rescuing from your vegetable drawer.
• Creamy dreamy version: Swap half the chicken stock for coconut milk, and you’ve got a whole new dish that tastes like it came from your favorite takeout spot.
• The apple trick: My mother-in-law taught me this one—instead of sugar, toss in a finely diced apple. It adds natural sweetness plus little bursts of texture that keep things interesting.
• Not a sausage fan?: No problem! This curry sauce plays well with chicken, turkey, or even those plant-based sausages. The sauce is so good it makes anything taste amazing.
• Heat seekers: My partner loves spice, so sometimes I add a pinch of cayenne or a small diced chili to the onions. I keep it mild for the main pot and then sprinkle extra chili flakes at the table for those who want that kick.
• Fresh finish: A handful of chopped parsley or cilantro scattered on top just before serving adds color and freshness that takes this comfort food to weekend-worthy status.

Saving Some for Later (If There’s Any Left!)

• Fridge friends: Pop any leftovers into an airtight container and they’ll keep happily for up to 3 days. Here’s a little secret—this dish actually tastes even better the next day after the curry flavors have had time to get friendly with everything else.
• Freeze for future you: When I’m on top of my game, I make a double batch and freeze individual portions. Future me is always grateful on busy nights! They’ll keep well for up to 3 months.
• Bringing it back to life: When reheating, go low and slow on the stovetop with a splash of water or stock to loosen things up. Give it a stir now and then so nothing sticks to the pan. Microwave works too, but the stovetop gives more even results.

Need to Make It Gluten-Free? No Sweat!

My sister-in-law can’t have gluten, so I’ve adapted this recipe many times for family dinners. It’s surprisingly easy:

1. Double-check your sausages first—many contain sneaky breadcrumbs or gluten-filled fillers. Most butcher shops can tell you which ones are safe.
2. For the flour, you’ve got two easy options:

• Mix 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry, then add it after your stock (this is my go-to method)
• Or use 3 tablespoons of your favorite gluten-free flour blend the same way you’d use regular flour

1. Don’t forget to check your curry powder and stock labels—sometimes gluten hides in the most unexpected places.

I promise the gluten-free version tastes just as delicious. My sister-in-law actually asked if I’d “accidentally” used regular flour because the gravy was so thick and rich!

FAQs About Curried Sausages

Should you boil sausages for curried sausages?

Please don’t! I made this mistake when I first started cooking. Boiling basically washes away all that wonderful flavor into the water and leaves you with sad, pale sausages. Browning them creates this gorgeous caramelized exterior that adds depth to the whole dish. Plus, those little browned bits left in the pan? They’re flavor gold for your curry gravy. Take the extra few minutes to brown them—your taste buds will thank you.

What country are curried sausages from?

This dish has that wonderful “fusion before fusion was cool” story. Curried sausages became a dinner table staple in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK back in the 1980s. It’s basically what happened when home cooks started experimenting with curry flavors from South Asia but applied them to familiar Western comfort foods. I love how it represents that moment when our parents’ generation began getting more adventurous with international flavors while still keeping dinner approachable for the whole family.

What’s the difference between devilled sausages and curried sausages?

It’s all about that sauce! Curried sausages swim in a golden, earthy sauce where curry powder plays the lead role. Devilled sausages, on the other hand, go in a totally different direction with a reddish sauce that’s tangy and rich from Worcestershire sauce, tomato, and mustard, often with a little chili kick. Both are delicious in their own way—curried sausages feel more warming and spice-forward, while devilled sausages have that tangy, slightly zingy profile. My dad was a devilled sausage fan, but mom always preferred curried!

What’s the best rice for curried sausages?

I’ve tried many different types, and basmati or jasmine rice are hands-down the winners. They stay all fluffy and separate, perfect for soaking up that gorgeous curry sauce without turning into mush. When I’m feeling virtuous, I use brown basmati instead—it still has that great texture but brings extra fiber and nutrients to the table. That said, this dish is equally happy alongside mashed potatoes if that’s more your style! (That’s how my kids prefer it.)

The Perfect “I Don’t Have Time But Still Want Something Delicious” Meal

There’s something magical about dishes that manage to be quick, comforting, and still interesting enough that you don’t feel like you’re settling. For me, curried sausages tick all those boxes. I love how this humble meal bridges different food traditions while still feeling like home cooking at its best.

The first time I made this for my family, my teenager actually looked up from their phone and said, “Can we have this again tomorrow?” High praise indeed! That golden sauce coating tender veggies and juicy sausages just has a way of bringing everyone to the table.

What I appreciate most about this recipe is how forgiving it is. Had a crazy day? Stick to the basic recipe. Got a bit more time? Throw in whatever vegetables need using up in your fridge. Feeding someone who loves spice? Dial up the heat. It’s less of a rigid recipe and more of a dinner strategy that you can bend to fit your life.

Have you tried making curried sausages at home? I’d love to hear your twists on this classic—drop a comment below with your favorite way to serve them!

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