The Summer Sausage Skillet with Andouille and Grilled Corn is a celebration of seasonal bounty and bold flavor. Smoky sausage and sweet, charred corn create a perfect base, while sautéed summer veggies bring in beautiful color and nutrients. It’s topped with a creamy Basil Cilantro Crema that elevates every bite with a herby tang.
This easy 30-minute meal is a must-try for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings alike. Serve it over rice for a more filling dish or enjoy as is, letting the rich blend of fresh herbs, veggies, and sausage shine. Whether you’re hosting dinner or just feeding the family, it’s a skillet full of comfort and summer sunshine.
Full Recipe:
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
13.5 oz Andouille sausage, sliced (about ½ inch thick)
⅓ cup diced red onion
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 orange bell pepper, chopped
2 small to medium zucchini, sliced and quartered
2 ears of corn, grilled and kernels removed
½ tsp garlic salt
¼ tsp sea salt
⅛ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
⅛ cup fresh basil, chopped
⅛ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional: 1 diced poblano or jalapeño for heat
For the Basil Cilantro Crema:
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
⅓ cup packed fresh basil
¼ cup packed cilantro
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp garlic salt
¼ tsp white pepper
Juice of half a lime
Directions:
Blend all crema ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Set aside and refrigerate if not using within 10 minutes.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage slices and cook for 3 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
Grill corn for 4 minutes per side or use a grill pan. When cooled slightly, cut kernels from the cob.
In the same skillet, add red onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened. Add chopped peppers and cook another 3-5 minutes.
Stir in zucchini, garlic salt, sea salt, and black pepper. Cook for 3-5 minutes, allowing veggies to char slightly by keeping them in contact with the pan.
Add grilled corn and sausage back to the skillet. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to combine flavors.
Remove from heat and stir in fresh cilantro and basil.
Serve over rice or alone, with generous spoonfuls of Basil Cilantro Crema on top.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: Approx. 365 kcal per serving | Servings: 4-5 servings
A Rustic and Flavorful Summer Favorite: The Summer Sausage Skillet with Andouille and Grilled Corn
Summer meals call for simplicity, bold flavors, and a celebration of seasonal produce—and that’s exactly what the Summer Sausage Skillet with Andouille and Grilled Corn delivers. This dish combines the deep, smoky spice of andouille sausage with the sweetness of grilled summer corn and the vibrancy of fresh peppers, zucchini, herbs, and a cooling basil-cilantro crema. Perfect for weeknights or easy entertaining, this one-pan meal is as comforting as it is colorful.
More than just another sausage skillet dinner, this recipe encapsulates everything we love about summer: casual cooking, bright and fresh ingredients, and meals that bring people together. It’s a dish that invites you to cook with what’s in season and adds a southern kick that makes it unforgettable.
Why Andouille Sausage? A Bite of Cajun History
Andouille sausage brings its own story to this skillet. Originating from France and adopted heavily into Creole and Cajun cooking in Louisiana, it’s known for its smoky, garlicky flavor with just the right touch of heat. American andouille is typically double-smoked and seasoned with spices like paprika, cayenne, and thyme, making it bolder than its French cousin.
Its texture is firm and meaty, and it holds up beautifully to high-heat cooking, such as pan-searing and grilling. It also pairs exceptionally well with sweet corn and charred vegetables—adding a dynamic flavor balance to every bite. In this recipe, the sausage not only adds protein but infuses the vegetables with its seasoned oils, enhancing the overall taste of the skillet.
The Beauty of Seasonal Produce
This skillet is all about letting fresh vegetables shine. You can feel the essence of a farmer’s market haul in every forkful—vibrant red and orange bell peppers, tender zucchini, crisp sweet corn, and aromatic herbs. Grilling or pan-searing the corn until it has beautiful char marks intensifies its natural sugars and adds texture to the dish.
The combination of colors and textures gives this recipe a rustic yet refined presentation. It’s visually stunning, and nutritionally balanced too. Cooking the vegetables just until they begin to brown helps retain their nutrients and a bit of crunch, so the dish never feels mushy or overcooked.
Whether you’re using produce from your own garden, a weekend farmers’ market, or your favorite grocery store, this skillet is a wonderful way to showcase what’s in season.
One Skillet, Many Possibilities
This dish is incredibly versatile. While the combination of andouille sausage and grilled corn is hard to beat, there’s plenty of room to customize based on what’s available or your dietary needs. You can easily substitute the sausage with kielbasa, chorizo, or a plant-based alternative. For added heat, toss in poblano or jalapeño peppers. Prefer something a little more mellow? Sweet Italian sausage or chicken sausage will still deliver excellent results.
The skillet itself can be served in different ways. It’s hearty enough to stand alone as a complete meal, but it also shines when spooned over a bowl of rice or couscous. For a low-carb option, try it over cauliflower rice or just enjoy as-is. Leftovers make a delicious next-day lunch, hot or cold.
Bringing It All Together: The Herb Crema Factor
While the skillet is the star of the show, the basil-cilantro crema is the magic that ties everything together. It’s light, creamy, and herbaceous, with a hint of citrus from fresh lime juice. The crema cuts through the smokiness of the sausage and enhances the sweetness of the grilled vegetables, offering a refreshing contrast in every bite.
It’s also incredibly easy to make. Just toss the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. It can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a couple of days, making it a great component to prep in advance. Feel free to drizzle it generously over your dish or serve on the side for dipping.
Beyond this recipe, the crema is a great topping for grilled meats, tacos, or roasted vegetables. Once you try it, you’ll be looking for reasons to make it again and again.
Perfect for Entertaining or Meal Prep
One of the best parts of this sausage skillet is its adaptability for various occasions. It’s a standout dish for casual dinner parties—easy to scale up for a crowd and gorgeous on the table with all its vibrant colors. Serve it in a large cast iron skillet right out of the oven for a farmhouse-style presentation that’s as cozy as it is impressive.
At the same time, it’s a go-to for meal prepping. The flavors only get better the next day, and it reheats well for lunches or quick dinners. Store leftovers in an airtight container, and you’ll have a satisfying and balanced meal ready to go.
Cooking Tips for the Best Results
To truly bring out the flavors in this dish, consider these tried-and-true tips:
Use a large skillet or braiser. Overcrowding the pan leads to steaming instead of searing. Give your ingredients room to brown.
Cook in layers. Start with sausage to render its oils, then build flavor by adding vegetables in stages.
Go high heat for a charred effect. This adds that smoky flavor reminiscent of grilling without leaving your stovetop.
Let it rest before adding herbs. Turn off the heat and let everything cool slightly before mixing in the fresh basil and cilantro to preserve their aroma and color.
By following these simple techniques, you’ll maximize both flavor and texture, creating a dish that feels restaurant-worthy without the fuss.
A Dish That Celebrates Summer Simplicity
There’s something uniquely satisfying about meals like this. They honor the season, bring together ingredients you likely already have on hand, and offer flexibility and comfort in every bite. The Summer Sausage Skillet with Andouille and Grilled Corn is the kind of recipe that looks good on a plate, tastes even better, and reminds you why home cooking is worth the time.
In a world full of overly complicated dishes, this skillet meal proves that a few quality ingredients cooked with care can create magic on your dinner table. Whether you’re feeding your family or hosting friends, this is the kind of dish that brings people closer—through conversation, comfort, and flavor.
Conclusion: A Go-To Summer Recipe with Endless Appeal
The Summer Sausage Skillet with Andouille and Grilled Corn is more than just a dinner—it’s an experience. It’s that moment when you bring together smoky meats, seasonal vegetables, and garden-fresh herbs in one satisfying skillet. It’s comfort food with color, character, and a little bit of spice.
Whether you’re grilling outside, cooking in your farmhouse kitchen, or prepping for a busy week ahead, this dish deserves a spot in your summer rotation. It delivers bold flavor without a lot of effort and is sure to become one of those recipes you return to all season long.
So gather your fresh produce, fire up your skillet, and let the sizzle of sausage and scent of herbs fill your kitchen. This one-pan wonder is ready to impress—simple, delicious, and unmistakably summer.