How to Make Delicious Summer Sausage at Home

Summer sausage is a popular type of sausage that is perfect for the summer months. Made with ground meat, spices, and seasonings, it is a delicious and versatile snack that can be enjoyed at home or on the go. If you are interested in learning how to make summer sausage at home, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will take you through the steps of making your very own summer sausage from scratch.

Whether you’re a sausage-making newbie or an experienced meat lover, making summer sausage at home is a fun and rewarding process. With just a few simple ingredients and a little preparation, you can create a delicious and flavorful snack that your whole family will enjoy. So, grab your apron and let’s get started!

Gather Your Ingredients

Summer sausage is a delicious cured meat made from a combination of beef and pork. Here are the ingredients you will need to make your own summer sausage:

1. Ground Beef and Pork: The best blend for summer sausage is 2 parts beef to 1 part pork. This gives the meat a rich flavor and a good texture. You can buy pre-ground meat or grind your own.

2. Salt: Salt is an essential ingredient for curing the meat and helping it to develop a savory flavor. You will need about 1 tablespoon of salt for every pound of meat.

3. Cure Mix: A cure mix contains sodium nitrite, which is necessary for curing the meat and preventing bacteria growth. You can buy pre-made cure mixes or make your own.

4. Spices: You can give your summer sausage a unique flavor by adding a variety of spices. Garlic, black pepper, and coriander are popular choices.

5. Sugar: A little bit of sugar can help balance out the salt and spices and give your summer sausage a slightly sweet taste.

6. Liquid: You will need some liquid to help bind the meat together and make it easier to stuff into casings. Most recipes call for water, but you can also use beer or wine for added flavor.

7. Casings: To make summer sausage, you will need casings to stuff the meat into. You can buy synthetic casings or natural casings made from animal intestines.

8. Meat Grinder: If you are grinding your own meat, you will need a meat grinder. You can buy an electric grinder or use a manual grinder.

9. Sausage Stuffer: A sausage stuffer is essential for stuffing the meat into casings. You can buy a manual or electric stuffer.

10. Meat Thermometer: To ensure that your summer sausage is cooked to a safe temperature, you will need a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the sausage should be 160°F.

Preparing the Meat

Summer sausage is a staple of backyard barbecues, and making your own sausage allows you to customize it to your own personal tastes. Whether you’re making it for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, there are a few key steps you’ll need to follow to make sure your sausage turns out perfectly. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare the meat for your homemade summer sausage.

Selecting Your Meat

The first step in making summer sausage is to select your meat. You can use a variety of meats to make summer sausage, including beef, pork, and venison. When selecting your meat, make sure to choose a cut that is lean with minimal fat, as the fat can cause the sausage to spoil faster. You can also use meat that has already been ground or you can grind it yourself at home.

Grinding the Meat

If you’re grinding your own meat, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, make sure your meat is very cold before grinding. This will make it easier to grind and will also help prevent the meat from becoming too mushy. It’s also a good idea to cut the meat into small pieces before grinding it, as this will make the process go more quickly.

Seasoning the Meat

Once you’ve selected and ground your meat, it’s time to season it. There are a wide variety of seasoning blends you can use for summer sausage, so feel free to experiment and find the right flavor profile for your tastes. Some popular seasoning blends include garlic, paprika, and black pepper.

Adding the Cure

In addition to seasoning, you’ll also need to add a curing agent to your meat. The curing agent helps preserve the sausage and gives it its characteristic tangy flavor. You can use either sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite as a curing agent, but be sure to follow the package instructions carefully to avoid adding too much.

Mixing the Meat

Once you’ve added your seasoning and cure, it’s time to mix the meat thoroughly. This can be done by hand or with a meat mixer. Make sure that all of the ingredients are well combined to ensure a consistent flavor throughout the sausage.

Stuffing the Sausage

After the meat is thoroughly mixed, it’s time to stuff it into sausage casings. You can use either natural or synthetic casings for summer sausage. Natural casings are made from animal intestines and have a more traditional flavor, while synthetic casings are easier to work with and can be washed and reused.

Smoking the Sausage

Once the sausage is stuffed into casings, it’s time to smoke it. This step is optional, but smoking adds a delicious flavor to the sausage. You can smoke the sausage using either a smoker or a grill. If you’re using a smoker, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to ensure that the sausage is cooked to the appropriate temperature.

Cooking the Sausage

If you’re not smoking the sausage, you’ll need to cook it in an oven or on a grill. Make sure to cook the sausage to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it’s safe to eat. Once the sausage is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

Storing the Sausage

Summer sausage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to three months. If you’re storing it in the freezer, be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

Enjoying Your Homemade Summer Sausage

Now that you know how to make summer sausage, it’s time to enjoy it! Whether you’re serving it at a backyard barbecue or bringing it along on a camping trip, homemade summer sausage is sure to be a hit with your friends and family. So get cooking, and enjoy the delicious taste of your homemade sausage!

Types of Meat for Making Summer Sausage

When it comes to making summer sausage, there are a variety of meats that can be used. Some popular options include:

It’s important to note that the meat should be well-marbled with fat to ensure the sausage is moist and flavorful. It’s also recommended to use meat that has been freshly ground and hasn’t been frozen or thawed multiple times.

Spices and Seasonings

Summer sausage is known for its unique and delicious flavor, which comes from a variety of spices and seasonings. Some common spices and seasonings used in summer sausage include:

• Mustard seeds
• Garlic
• Black pepper
• Fennel seed
• Paprika
• Crushed red pepper flakes

It’s important to accurately measure out these spices and seasonings to ensure the perfect flavor. Many recipes also call for curing salt or Prague powder #2, which helps to prevent harmful bacteria from growing during the curing process.

Stuffing the Sausage

After the meat has been ground and the spices and seasonings have been added, it’s time to stuff the sausage. This can be done using a sausage stuffer or by hand. When stuffing the sausage, it’s important to ensure that it’s tightly packed and free of air pockets.

Once the sausage has been stuffed, it’s typically hung to dry. This can be done in a cool and dry place for several days or in a smoker for a few hours. The temperature should be between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit for natural drying or 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit for smoking.

Storing and Serving Summer Sausage

When the summer sausage is finished, it’s important to store it properly to ensure it lasts as long as possible. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months. When serving the sausage, it can be eaten as is or sliced and served on a charcuterie board.

Conclusion

Now that you know the basics of making summer sausage, it’s time to give it a try. Whether you’re using pork, beef, wild game, or a combination of meats, the right spices and seasonings will create a delicious and unique flavor. And with proper storage, you can enjoy your homemade summer sausage for weeks or even months to come.

Wrapping It Up

Thanks for taking the time to read this article on how to make summer sausage! Nothing beats the satisfaction of making your own delicious sausage that you can enjoy with your loved ones anytime of the year. Remember to come back and visit us again for more meaty goodness and cooking tips that will elevate your culinary skills. Until then, happy sausage making!