When comparing summer sausage with salami, you’ll notice that they have a similar taste, appearance, and feel. They have various names for a reason, though, with the most significant difference being the moisture content.
[fluentform id=”2″]
Summer sausage is classified as semi-dry meat since it loses about 15% of its original weight throughout manufacturing.
Meanwhile, salami has lower moisture content and loses around 25% of its moisture during drying. Salami is a dry sausage since it is more difficult to cut than summer sausage.
How To Eat Summer Sausage
Summer sausage is ideal for snacking, picnics, and charcuterie platters. It is usually thinly sliced and goes nicely with wine and cheese.
It’s also delicious on sandwiches.
Summer sausage is also good fried or in a casserole, but the real beauty of it is that it’s easy to make, ready to eat, and tastes wonderful at room temperature.
Best Smoker For Summer Sausage
Summertime is complete with backyard sausage parties with your family and friends. If your family enjoys such gatherings, you should invest in a quality smoker to prepare delectable summer sausage. Choosing the finest among hundreds of options can be challenging, but we have a solution.
Masterbuilt MB20070210 Electric Smoker
Because it is the greatest smoker for summer sausage, the black-colored analog electric smoker by Masterbuilt is a must-have for your backyard events. It has three racks and plenty of room for smoking sausages. The analog temperature control allows you to customize the temperature to your preferences and the surplus drippings are collected in a grease tray at the bottom.
Weber Smokey Mountain
The Weber Smokey Mountain is a charcoal smoker made specifically for summer sausages. It has a cylindrical shape that takes up less outside area, making it ideal for tiny rooms. Internal temperature is controlled by the water pan. It is strong and long-lasting due to the steel construction.
Char-Broil Analog Electric Smoker for Summer Sausage
It’s a black-colored smoker with a variety of functions that will make your smoking activity much more enjoyable. A water pan is included in this smoker for temperature control. For longevity, the entire construction is built of high-quality materials. The entire cooking chamber is double-insulated to keep all of the heat and smoke in for the most delicious sausages.
Dyna-Glo DGY784BDP Gas Smoker
This propane smoker is designed specifically for beginners who have never used a smoker before. The wood chip tray is large enough to retain enough wood chips for several sessions of smoking. Summer sausages may be expertly smoked thanks to the ideal temperature indicator. The adjustable racks have a lot of space.
Cuisinart COS-244 Propane Smoker for Summer Sausage
It’s the perfect smoker for all your summer sausage and BBQ gatherings. It’s a multi-purpose smoker that can cook a variety of dishes. The temperature settings can be changed. All of the components are extremely simple to clean.
How Long and What Temp Do You Smoke Summer Sausage
Overcooking summer sausage will result in it becoming dry and crumbly. Bake for 3 to 5 hours, or until the sausage reaches 145° F in the center. Continue cooking until the center temperature reaches 155° F or higher for a drier sausage with a more cooked flavor.
225°F is the best temperature for smoking sausages. If you’re using a smoker that can’t be regulated to a precise temperature, try to keep it between 225 and 240 degrees Fahrenheit.
How To Make Summer Sausage in The Oven
You’re aware that preparing summer sausage in the oven is not only possible but frequently preferred.
You must first select the meat for your summer sausage. Pork, beef, lamb, chicken, or venison, perhaps?
Keep in mind that, despite their versatility, sausages should contain between 25 and 30 percent fat on average. If you’re using leaner meat, boost the fat percentage with beef tallow or another animal-based fat.
After that, you must choose your seasonings. Garlic, cayenne pepper, pepper, salt, paprika, and other traditional seasonings are used.
You can also add cheese. Summer sausages go well with a cheese that melts at room temperature.
Finally, there are two more considerations to consider. The meat binder will keep the fat from clumping.
Curing salts are required because they prohibit bacteria from growing in the sausage.
For the summer sausage, you’ll need Curing Salt #1, also known as Insta Cure #1, Prague Powder #1, or pink curing salt, which has the proper combination of ingredients.
After you’ve combined all of these components, your summer sausage needs to ferment for the curing salt to work its magic. Refrigerate the meat combination for at least 24 hours before serving.
Next, the meat is stuffed into sausage casings. Allow them to cool to room temperature before serving.
Preheat the oven to 170 ℉ and set the sausages under the broiler. Slowly increase the heat while checking the internal temperature of the sausages.
What To Eat with Summer Sausage?
Pair your summer sausage with these tempting side dishes for the most hearty and tasty dinner.
Grilled vegetables
The vegetables not only enhance the flavors of the summer sausage, but they also give color to your meal. You may use any vegetables you have on hand, but onions, bell peppers, eggplant, squash, and zucchini go well with sausage.
Potato chips
Potato chips’ crunch and saltiness are the ideal companions to summer sausage.
All you need for homemade potato chips is olive oil and a lot of thinly sliced potatoes, which you can do with a mandolin. Use salt, pepper, and your preferred spices as seasonings! Place the potatoes in the oven and wait for it to work its magic.
Coleslaw
What goes better with savory summer sausage than a sweet, acidic, creamy, crunchy side dish? The combination of coleslaw and sausage creates a wonderfully balanced lunch. No other salad can match the tangy contrast between the sausage and the coleslaw!
Baked beans
Baked beans are a solid crowd-pleaser, making them an ideal meal for potlucks and celebrations. Because of the strong barbeque flavor, they make an excellent sausage side dish.
Mac & cheese
The creaminess and cheesiness of the pasta and the sausage’s smokiness produce the most incredible umami flavor!
Do you want to spice up your traditional comfort food? Infuse it with garlic, smoked paprika, and chorizo for a Spanish twist!
