Bangers are a type of sausage common to the UK. They may sometimes be called British Bangers, but this is somewhat inaccurate, since the Irish as well as the English enjoy bangers. Bangers are often an essential part of pub food, as they are quick to prepare. They’re also a frequently prepared part of dishes made in homes.

Bangers get their name from the sausage’s predilection toward bursting or “banging” open during high frying temperatures. In fact, to avoid losing some of the sausage, bangers may be boiled first, and sliced lengthwise prior to frying or grilling.

Bangers are white in appearance, and are composed primarily of pork butt, a small amount of breadcrumbs, and water. They are normally pleasantly spiced with both sweet and savory spices. The average banger will have both salt and pepper, as well as sage, ginger and mace or allspice. Spices differ depending upon the brand.

The ingredients are well mixed, and then stuffed into casings, as is usual with most sausages. Casings are usually made from pork or sheep intestines, and look like long translucent ropes.

Some bangers are pre-cooked, which, offers ease of cooking, and surety that the interior of the sausage will be done. Bangers that are not pre-cooked are best boiled prior to frying so the interior meat, which is not cooked, has a chance to come to a high temperature prior to finishing the sausages in a hot pan for a crisp skin.

Bangers are much larger than the traditional US breakfast sausage. They are usually equivalent in length to a hot dog, but are about twice the width. They do make a nice change if one is grilling hot dogs and wants to add something a bit more exotic or interesting for the adults.

In the UK, bangers may be served with breakfast, and they make part of one of the most traditional of English dishes, bangers and mash. This is actually a quite simple dish. Usually two bangers are prepared and placed over mashed potatoes. Bangers may also be served in sandwiches with grilled onions.

It is quite easy to find bangers in the US. Most chain grocery stores carry them. They can also sometimes be found freshly prepared by local butchers. English and Irish-inspired pubs frequently offer bangers and mash or banger sandwiches on their menus. They may also be sold at country fairs and are particularly popular at Renaissance fairs.