Store-bought sausages are an awesome choice for the grill. They’re relatively affordable, they cook quickly, and they pair well with a myriad of condiments. Best of all, they’re delicious on their own, appealing to guests of all ages.
If you want to take things a step further, you can try making your own sausage. We’ve included tips on how to get started on this hobby as well, from the curing process all the way to the storage period.
Game day beer brats should be your foundation for tailgating food ideas – juicy bratwurst with onions, drenched in malt and finished on the grill. This bold and simple grilled bratwurst recipe was likely conceived to be a crowd-pleaser, as people flock to it every time it’s on the table! There’s something in this recipe … Read more
Can you smoke sausage that’s already been cooked? The answer is yes, but you won’t need to put it on the smoker for very long. Since the meat has already been cooked to a safe internal temperature, you’re essentially just reheating it. Here’s a guide to smoking pre cooked sausage without drying it out. Smoking … Read more
Sausage tastes excellent when it’s been smoked at a low temperature. In fact, smoked summer sausage is a staple in prepackaged gift boxes, which are especially popular around the holidays. When you’re smoking sausage yourself, how long do you need to wait before you take the links off the heat? Our ultimate guide to smoked … Read more
Once you start making your own homemade sausage, it will be nearly impossible for you to revert to the store-bought kind. When you grind the meat yourself, you have complete control over the quality, the fat content, and—perhaps most importantly—the salt. Salt is an essential component of sausage, but it’s easy to get the blend … Read more
Before we started curing our own sausage, we were a little bit daunted by the prospect. After all, if something goes wrong, the product might not be safe to eat, which means all that time and effort were for naught. Once you know what you’re doing, though, you can cure summer sausage like a pro. … Read more
The temperature of your smoker has a direct effect on the total cooking time. That’s true no matter what you put on the smoker. Since sausage links are much smaller than cuts like pork shoulder, it doesn’t take as long for them to reach the optimum temperature. But it’s important not to cook them for … Read more
Even though it’s precooked, most smoked sausage should be stored in the refrigerator. Cured sausages, such as summer sausage, might be stable at room temperature, but they’ll have a longer shelf life if you keep them in the fridge. So how long does smoked sausage last in the fridge before you have to start getting … Read more
Refrigerating meat products can help prolong their shelf life, even if they’re cured meats that can be stored at room temperature when they’re unwrapped. But how long can cooked sausage sit out at room temp if it hasn’t been cured? How Long Can Cooked Sausage Sit Out? Cooked sausage can sit out at room temperature … Read more
Have you ever tried smoking your own sausage? If not, maybe it’s time you ventured into this exciting new terrain. It will broaden your horizons as a pitmaster and give you some serious bragging rights at your next barbecue. Whether you prepare your fresh sausage from scratch or buy raw ones from your favorite butcher, … Read more
Smoked sausage is not only delicious, it’s relatively easy to make on your own. Even if you rely on fresh store-bought sausages instead of grinding the meat from scratch, they’ll taste amazing once they come off the smoker. What’s the best smoker temperature to use for sausages, and how long does the process take? Our … Read more
Smoking sausage is a worthwhile pastime for many reasons. However, it’s critical to get the internal temperature just right. If the meat is undercooked, it won’t be safe to consume, but if it’s overcooked the flavor and texture will be off. We’ve put together this guide to advise you how long to smoke sausage at … Read more
If you’ve set the grill temperature to 200 degrees, about how long will it take before your smoked sausage is ready? Obviously, you should rely on the internal temperature of the meat and not the numbers on the clock. Still, it’s nice to have a ballpark estimate. Here’s our guide on how long to smoke … Read more
When you make homemade sausage, you want to make sure it reaches a safe internal temperature without overcooking. This is one instance in which you definitely don’t want to neglect the thermometer, as it’s the only way to tell whether the meat is cooked. Can sausage be pink in the middle and still be safe … Read more
What’s the definition of overcooked sausage, and how can you avoid it? Appearance isn’t everything—the sausage might be perfectly cooked but still look underdone, or it could be blackened on the outside and not be ready yet. Our guide will explain how this can be. Overcooked Sausage Sausage is considered overcooked when its internal temperature … Read more
There are a number of different precooked sausage products on the market. That can be overwhelming when you’re trying to decide which one to buy. To help make your choice easier, let’s take a look at kielbasa vs smoked sausage. Kielbasa vs Smoked Sausage Kielbasa is a Polish sausage, usually made from pork, that utilizes … Read more
When cooking sausage, can you tell whether or not it’s done just by looking at the color? If not, what’s the best way to go about it? By the time you’ve finished reading this guide, you’ll know how to tell if sausage is cooked or not. How To Tell if Sausage is Cooked All ground … Read more
When making homemade sausage, it can be tricky to get the meat-to-fat ratio down pat. You want your sausages to be nice and juicy, but if you use too much fat, it might not render out properly—leaving you with a sausage that’s unpleasantly chewy. Our guide should help you find the ideal sausage fat ratio … Read more
Smoking store bought sausage isn’t any trickier than smoking homemade sausage. In fact, it can save you a lot of time. One thing you need to pay attention to is whether the sausage is already cooked. Fortunately, it’s easy to tell, even if the meat is prepackaged. This guide will tell you all you need … Read more
Although sausage contains salt and other seasonings that can act as preservatives, it will go bad if you hang on to it long enough. Here’s how to tell if sausage is spoiled—whether it’s raw or already cooked. How To Tell if Sausage is Spoiled When meat goes bad, you can usually tell by smelling it. … Read more
When you buy smoked sausage, do you have to cook it before it’s safe to eat? Or is smoked sausage already cooked before it’s packaged? It’s important to know the difference, which is why we’ve put together this guide. Is Smoked Sausage Already Cooked? Sausage that’s hot smoked has been exposed to heat as well … Read more
Freezing meat is a great way to preserve it for later use. Since products made from ground meat tend to spoil quickly, it’s great to have this option. How long is frozen sausage good for, and how long can you expect it to last once it’s thawed? You’ll want to know the answers in advance, … Read more
Many amateur chefs make the mistake of thinking that bratwurst and hot dogs are the same thing. In fact, while both are superb choices for an afternoon cookout, they’re not interchangeable. Here’s our ultimate “brat vs hot dog” matchup. Brat vs Hot Dog A brat, or bratwurst, is a type of German sausage that’s made … Read more
Hot dogs are a convenient option for the grill—unless you open the package to find that the links are slimy to the touch. Do you need to discard slimy hot dogs, or are they still safe to cook? Read on to find out the answer. Slimy Hot Dogs When meat gains a slimy or filmy … Read more
When you open a package of hot dogs, you’ll sometimes notice white patches on a few of them—or perhaps the whole bunch. What exactly is that stuff? Does it mean the hot dogs have spoiled, or is it still safe to eat them? Let’s explore this strange phenomenon. White Stuff on Hot Dog White or … Read more
Have you ever wondered whether hot dogs are fully cooked before they’re packaged for sale? After all, grilling them is a popular summer pastime. So why do we take this step if they’re precooked? Read on to find out. Are Hot Dogs Precooked? Most of the time, the hot dogs that you’ll find in the … Read more
After you’ve bought a package of hot dogs, how long can you expect them to last? What about once the package is opened? And if you make your own hot dogs at home, will they have a longer or shorter shelf life? This guide will tell you all you need to know. How Long Do … Read more
Chicken sausage is a lean and tasty alternative to pork sausage. But it’s crucial to cook poultry to a safe internal temperature, or you run the risk of food poisoning. Here’s how to tell if chicken sausage is cooked, or if it needs more time on the heat. How to Tell if Chicken Sausage is … Read more
Sometimes, there’s nothing like a good pork sausage. But turkey sausage, which many view as a healthier alternative, has its place on the grill as well. Let’s explore the differences between turkey sausage and pork sausage. Turkey Sausage vs Pork Sausage Turkey sausage is lower in saturated fat than pork sausage, which makes it an … Read more
Are hot dogs pork, or do they consist of a blend of different meats? The answer depends on the product—and could affect your results. Here’s how to tell whether the hot dogs you buy are made from pork, beef, or a combination. Are Hot Dogs Pork? Hot dogs may be made out of pork, but … Read more
If you need a pork sausage substitute, you’re in luck. There are plenty of alternatives available, and you might even find that you prefer them. Let’s explore the possibilities. Pork Sausage Substitute Depending on the recipe, you might be able to substitute seasoned ground pork for sausage. If you can’t use pork for ethical, religious, … Read more
As much as we love pork sausage, we recognize that it’s out of bounds—or at least out of favor—for some people. Is chicken sausage a viable alternative? And if not, what’s wrong with it? Chicken Sausage vs Pork Sausage Chicken is naturally lower in sodium and fat than pork, and it has a mild flavor … Read more
Do you want to try your hand at making your own pork sausage? Congratulations—that’s an exciting step for any meat-loving pitmaster to take. Before you begin, though, let’s find out which cuts of pork are best suited for the grinder. Pork Loin Sausage Pork loin sausage is a tricky concept. The loin is a naturally … Read more
The promise of homemade sausage is one of the best reasons to save your pork trimmings. Do you find this prospect exciting, or just plain daunting? Either way, we’ve got you covered. Pork Trimmings For Sausage Pork trimmings typically consist of fat and bits of meat. When you’ve trimmed the fat cap from a pork … Read more
We love a good pork sausage, but there are times when you have to seek other options. Whether you have severe dietary restrictions or you’re just trying to find a healthier alternative, we’re here to provide you with the ins and outs of non pork sausage. Non Pork Sausage Alternatives to pork sausage include ground … Read more
Bratwurst—or brats for short—are an excellent choice for weeknight grilling. When they’re done right, they’re plump and juicy, and pair well with sauerkraut and your favorite mustard. When bratwursts are sold precooked, it can be easy to overdo it, winding up with sausages that are dry and mealy on the inside. We’ve prepared this guide … Read more
It’s always a good idea to keep a supply of cured meats on hand, especially if you like to host large gatherings. Summer sausage makes a nice contribution to a charcuterie platter when it’s served with assorted cheeses. But how long is summer sausage good for, and when should you think about tossing it? How … Read more