Grilled Sausage Grinders (Printable)
Smoky grilled sausages in toasted rolls topped with charred grilled tomato sauce for a satisfying handheld meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 Italian sausages, mild or hot depending on preference
→ Bread
02 - 4 grinder or hoagie rolls
→ Vegetables
03 - 4 ripe plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
04 - 1 small red onion, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 bell pepper, cored and sliced into strips
07 - 1 handful fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
→ Cheese (Optional)
09 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
→ Pantry Staples
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
# Method:
01 - Set a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and allow it to reach full temperature before cooking.
02 - Brush the halved tomatoes, onion slices, and bell pepper strips evenly with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, coating all surfaces.
03 - Place the sausages and oiled vegetables on the grill. Cook the sausages for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred on all sides and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F. Grill the vegetables for 4 to 6 minutes until softened and lightly charred, then remove from the grill.
04 - Once the grilled vegetables are cool enough to handle, coarsely chop them into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
05 - Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped grilled vegetables, kosher salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the flavors meld together. Remove from heat and fold in the chopped basil and parsley.
06 - Split each grinder roll lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Place the rolls cut-side down on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until lightly crisped and golden.
07 - Place one grilled sausage into each toasted roll. Spoon the grilled tomato sauce generously over each sausage. If using cheese, sprinkle it on top, then return the assembled grinders to the grill over indirect heat with the lid closed for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts.
08 - Serve the grinders immediately while hot, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The grilled tomato sauce tastes like summer concentrated into every spoonful, and you will want to put it on everything afterward.
- Everything cooks on one grill, which means almost zero cleanup and maximum flavor from start to finish.
02 -
- Do not move the sausages too early or the skin will tear and you lose all those beautiful juices into the fire.
- Letting the sauce sit for even five minutes before spooning it on helps the flavors settle and thicken naturally.
03 -
- Always toast the roll, because a soft untoasted bun turns to mush within thirty seconds of hitting that sauce.
- Use a grill basket for the vegetables if you have one, since nothing ruins a moment like a tomato half slipping through the grates.