Making bratwurst with lean ground pork and butter instead of pork butt?

[Hauser]

I usually make brats with just butt or a combo of butt and belly, but I’m at the cottage and all I really have available is lean ground pork in the chest freezer, and a bunch of butter I smoked yesterday. They have similar melt and smoke points, but how bad of an idea is it to use butter as the fat source in a bratwurst that’s meant to be browned and then simmered in a beer bath? They have similar melting points Advice appreciated guys, thanks!

 

[tallbm]

I usually make brats with just butt or a combo of butt and belly, but I’m at the cottage and all I really have available is lean ground pork in the chest freezer, and a bunch of butter I smoked yesterday. They have similar melt and smoke points, but how bad of an idea is it to use butter as the fat source in a bratwurst that’s meant to be browned and then simmered in a beer bath? They have similar melting points Advice appreciated guys, thanks!

Hi there and welcome!

I don't know for sure but everything in me screams that it would not be a good idea. I would think the butter wants to melt more easily than animal fat.

If you want to give a test run then just mix an 80% meat and 20% butter combo, roll up into a ball and then stick on a plate in the oven. Gradually work up from 100F to 165F over about an hour and a half period and see what happens.
This little experiment would let you know if it all goes to hell and would save you some major headache if so.

Best of luck!

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Butter definitely seems a bad idea; you can't replace lard with butter because melt points and fire points are different. I would just run lean brats.

 

[DanMcG]

I'd don't think it will work either, But you won't know till ya try. Like Tallbm suggests, make a small sample and cook it up. You're going to need to develop a really good bind to hold any of the fat.

 

[Hauser]

Thanks guys I think I’ll just wait until have some butts in hand before making another batch! :D

 

[hoity toit]

I would not use butter. You will fat out and have crumbly meat.

HT

 

[Braz]

You are not within shopping distance of some bacon?

 

[Hauser]

I ended up getting some shoulder blade from a neighbour, haven't tried that cut before but looking forward to the results!

 

[TomKnollRFV]

I ended up getting some shoulder blade from a neighbour, haven't tried that cut before but looking forward to the results!

Unless shoulder blade is wicked different by you..it's pork butt :)

 

[Hauser]

My understanding is shoulder blade roast is picnic, it certainly seems to be challenging this gimpy Kitchenaid mixer grinder attachment I'm using. The test fries so far have been great though so looking forward to the finished product!

 

[nanuk]

shoulder blade is pork shoulder butt.

pork picnic is the lower part with the foreleg.

 

[nanuk]

Oh, and I LOVE your avatar!

We used to say: "Ford on Crack is still better than Trudeau on Pot"

 

[daveomak]

A blade roast is on the top of a pigs front leg... front leg is a picnic... on the top, blade roast is a pork butt...

 

[daveomak]

nanuk...... thanks for verifying that avatar... I thought it was Ford....

 

[nanuk]

Yup, Rob Ford. Passed away awhile ago.

His Brother Doug just won the Ontario election, leading the PC party!
So one Ford was mayor of Toronto, and one has become the Premier of Ontario!

If Rob was alive, I'd have voted for him for the Progressive Conservative Party Leadership, and Prime Minister if he has won!
He was like a crack smok'n Trump! He did a lot of good for Toronto.

I hope Doug Ford can turn Ontario around form the DISASTER of the Wynne Liberals.

 

[daveomak]

You have more problems in Canada than I can count... I do love Canadians... Spent LOTS of time with them on the Pacific Coast when I cruised up there in my boat... Absolutely great folks.... Down to earth and loved to party...

 

[Hauser]

Thanks for the tip guys, usually the Costco butts I see are labeled butts so I just assumed this was from the other side of the shoulder - made beautiful brats all the same!

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Thanks for the tip guys, usually the Costco butts I see are labeled butts so I just assumed this was from the other side of the shoulder - made beautiful brats all the same!

I'm thinking of make beef brats pretty soon, glad yours turned out! Hope ya did them WI style..boiled in beer and butter and onions then grilled ;)

 

[Hauser]

I'm thinking of make beef brats pretty soon, glad yours turned out! Hope ya did them WI style..boiled in beer and butter and onions then grilled ;)

Oh yeah, browned em up over the hickory fire then simmered in a bath of draft Hofbrau, onions, garlic, homemade kraut and smoked butter - came out fantastic!