First Time making summer sausage.

[thebigman65]

Hey all,

So I made my first batch of summer sausage this weekend....I used the recipe from Kutas Rytak....I used 3 pounds of ground pork and 7 pounds of ground beef....10 lbs yielded 3 x 24" sticks.

I started at 100 degrees for 2 hours to dry them....then went to 130 degrees and smoked for 4 hours.....raised a couple times to 165 and cooked until 145 IT. Then shower bath to 120 and hung for 2 hours to dry/bloom....then into the fridge. They look awesome and I will post some pics tomorrow.

One question....how do you save it?....I have a food saver and can vacuum seal....but should I freeze them after?....how long will they stay good in the fridge in vacuum seal?

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[SonnyE]

I'm a freezer vote. The only time I got in trouble freezing anything was Philly Cream Cheese.
It worked fine for my Salmon Dip. But was not appealing at all for cream cheese with chili sauce over it for crackers. Turned really ugly. Looked yukkie.
Ate fine, as long as you closed your eyes. LOL!

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Vacc seal and Freeze. They'll last a few months at least in the fridge too, but I vacc seal and mine. <I do 12 inch chubs, so two per bag in the freezer>.

My last batch was fattier then I wanted it to be and sort of had some fat in the casings, look out for this if you try to cut corners by using 73 lean beef. Can't wait to see pictures.

 

[mike243]

Vac and freeze is my method

 

[crazymoon]

I vac seal and leave in the fridge,they will last for months !

 

[askmrhp]

My first summer sausage was stuffed in a fibrous casing using a pop bottle neck and a wooden spoon.
then I smoked them they came out fine.

 

[thebigman65]

Thanks guys...I went with some in fridge for immediate consumption!....and some in the freezer....it taste great....a little more buttermilk powder (fermento) next time!

Here are some pics:

 

[jimmyinsd]

thats a nice looking sausage!

 

[dogman60]

thats a nice looking sausage!

First time huh???
They look fantastic - spot on!!!!

 

[Jeff Wright]

Wow, that almost looks commercial. Nice looking sausage.

 

[kit s]

Looks like you have a great sausage there.
I freeze first then vacuum pack if I am worried that the item is soft or juicy. Soft items tend to squash and juicy items fill your machine with all that good juice, as well as it causes problems on sealing bag.
kit

 

[HalfSmoked]

Looks great not sure from looks how it turned out could you ship one my way for taste test approval. :rolleyes: :D

Warren

 

[driedstick]

Dang nice looking snausages,,, looks like you have a winner there,,, love the texture you got,,POINT to you sir

A full smoker is a happy smoker.