Want to learn how to make sausage at home? Making your own sausage lets you control the flavors and ingredients for a fresh, delicious result. With a simple sausage recipe and some basic tools to form your meat, you can easily make homemade sausage that’s perfect for any meal.
I got tired of the store-bought sausages that never quite tasted right or had too many fillers. So, I decided to try making my own homemade sausage from scratch in my kitchen. It turned out so fresh and flavorful enough that I knew I’d never go back to the packaged kind again.
Making Sausage in Your Kitchen
With just a few simple tools, you can turn your kitchen into a sausage-making spot. It’s easier than it looks and a great way to try new flavors. The process makes it easy to customize and pair with dishes like yellow squash casserole.
Homemade Breakfast Sausage Recipe
This breakfast sausage recipe blends savory sausage spice mix with ground meat for a classic morning treat. It’s simple to prepare and cooks quickly in a pan. Perfect for starting the day with homemade goodness along with some feta cheese dip with egg or bacon.
Stuffing the Sausage into Casings
Stuffing sausage into casings can seem tricky, but it’s just about steady hands and patience. Using natural casings gives the sausage its shape and holds the flavors inside. It’s the final step to making sausage that’s ready to cook or freeze.
Your Easy-Peasy Guide to Making Links of Sausage at Home
Craft flavorful homemade sausage links that are juicy and perfectly seasoned. This guide breaks down the simple steps to mix, stuff, and shape sausages right in your own kitchen.
Kitchen Must-Haves
- Mixing Bowl: Essential for thoroughly blending your ground meat and spices into the perfect sausage mix.
- Tube for Filling the Sausages: Stuffer fills the sausage casings evenly and smoothly for homemade links.
- Thread: Used to tie off the ends of your sausages and keep the filling secure.
Grab these Ingredients
- Ground Meat: The main ingredient that forms the base of your sausage, choose your favorite type or mix.
- Sausage Spice Mix: Adds the signature flavor blend that makes your sausage uniquely delicious.
- Natural Sausage Casings: The edible casing that holds your sausage mix together for that authentic homemade texture.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Make Homemade Sausage
First: Gather Your Ingredients
Prepare all your ingredients before starting, including ground meat of your choice and natural casing from the butcher. If you’ve already made your sausage seasoning, the process will be even quicker. Having everything ready makes the whole process smoother.
Second: Season the Ground Meat
Place the ground meat in a large mixing bowl and add your homemade sausage seasoning. Mix well until all the herbs and spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat. This step is key to flavorful sausages.
Third: Clean the Sausage Casing
Rinse the natural casing thoroughly under running water to remove any residue. Even though it’s usually pre-cleaned, washing again ensures it’s fresh and ready to use. Gently run water through the inside to clean it completely.
Fourth: Prepare the Casing for Stuffing
Select your sausage stuffing funnel and prepare it by lightly oiling or wetting it to help the casing slide on smoothly. Carefully thread one end of the casing onto the funnel. Tie off the open end of the casing with a string to secure it before filling.
Fifth: Stuff the Sausage
Use your stuffing tool to fill the casing with the seasoned meat gently. You can make small individual sausages by tying off sections as you go, or fill one long sausage link for twisting later. Take care not to overfill to avoid bursting.
Sixth: Seal the Sausage Ends
Once filled, tie the open end of the casing tightly with string to keep the meat secure inside. Make sure the knots are firm to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking. This seals your homemade sausage properly.
Seventh: Twist and Portion
Twist the long sausage links into smaller sections if desired, securing each segment with string or by twisting tightly. Alternatively, leave the sausage as one long link if preferred for your recipe. This step helps portion the sausages for cooking or storage.
Handy Tips for Tasty Wins:
- Choose fresh, high-quality meat for the best flavor and texture. Grinding your own meat ensures freshness and lets you control the fat content for juicy sausages.
- Use a reliable grinder or food processor to get the perfect consistency. Avoid over-processing to keep the meat from becoming too mushy.
- Season the meat well with your favorite herbs and spices before stuffing. Taste a small cooked patty first to adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Keep everything cold during the process to prevent the fat from melting. Chill your meat, tools, and even the sausage casings for easier handling and better results.
Your Questions, My Answers
What are the Pairings to Try with This Sausage Recipe?
This sausage pairs well with eggs and toast for a hearty breakfast. It also pairs well with onion rings crisp or garlic mashed cauliflower for dinner. Don’t forget to try it with your favorite mustard or dipping sauce for extra flavor.
How to Store Freshly Made Sausage?
Store freshly made sausage in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Keep it in the fridge and use within 2 to 3 days for the best freshness. Always check for any off smells before cooking.
Wrap the sausage tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag to avoid freezer burn. Label with the date and use within 3 months for best quality. Thaw in the fridge overnight before cooking for safe and even reheating.
More Stress-Free Recipes You’ll Love
Looking for easy recipes that add big flavor without the fuss? You’ll love these stress-free dishes that come together quickly and taste amazing every time. Try sauteed kale with garlic to brighten up any meal.
For something creamy and comforting, the broccoli and bacon casserole is a perfect choice. And if you’re looking for a fun snack, learn how to make fried pickles that are crispy and delicious.
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How To Make Sausage at Home
Equipment
- 1 Tube for Filling the Sausages
- 1 Thread
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Meat
- 4 Tablespoons Sausage Spice Mix
- Natural Sausage Casings as needed
Video
Instructions
- Prepare ground meat, natural casing, and seasoning before starting; having everything ready makes the process smooth and efficient.
- Place meat in a large bowl, add sausage seasoning, and mix thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed.
- Rinse casing under running water and flush the inside to ensure it’s completely clean and fresh for stuffing.
- Lightly oil or wet the sausage funnel, slide the casing onto it, and tie off one end securely with string.
- Use a stuffer to gently fill the casing with meat, tying sections as you go or keeping it as one long link, being careful not to overfill.
- Tie off the open end firmly with string to keep the filling contained and prevent leaks during cooking.
- Twist filled sausage into smaller links or leave whole, securing each section with string if needed for easy cooking or storage.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality meat for the best flavor and texture. Grinding your own meat ensures freshness and lets you control the fat content for juicy sausages.
- Use a reliable grinder or food processor to get the perfect consistency. Avoid over-processing to keep the meat from becoming too mushy.
- Season the meat well with your favorite herbs and spices before stuffing. Taste a small cooked patty first to adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Keep everything cold during the process to prevent the fat from melting. Chill your meat, tools, and even the sausage casings for easier handling and better results.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
best pairs for homemade sausage
The best pair for homemade sausage should balance the richness and saltiness. Creamy mash, crusty bread, roasted vegetables, or sauteed greens to add contrast.
