Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

2 Simple Sausage Recipes that are Delicious and Easy to Make

Sausage, when you think about it, is a pretty perfect food. Not only is it great when grilled, but it can be done up in any number of dishes in countless world cuisines. From the smoked links of Texas barbecue to full plates of sausage and peppers, sausage goes where few meats can. That is why it’s important to be able to make your own.

While it may seem confusing or labor-intensive, it’s not as hard as you may think. Once you have the right equipment (a dedicated meat grinder or the meat grinder attachment for your handy dandy Kitchenaid stand mixer and a sausage stuffer if your grinder doesn’t come with an attachment), you’re well on your way to throwing your first sausage party.

Did you really think we wouldn’t make that joke?

Caleb Fischer chef Bow and Arrow Auburn
Caleb Fischer Bow & Arrow

The question, then, is what all goes into the sausage you’re about to make. The truth is, you can do pork or turkey or really whatever meat you’re feeling (heck, mix’ em up — go nuts!). To get you started, we spoke to executive chef and pitmaster of Auburn, Alabama’s newly opened Bow & Arrow, Caleb Fischer to get some of his favorite sausage recipes.

One of these recipes is for a turkey sausage that works just as well as a turkey burger as it does in sausage form and the other is for a delightful jalapeño cheddar sausage. Whether you end up smoking, boiling, grilling, or doing something different, you’re going to love both of these recipes.

Note: For the recipes, one gram is equal to .03 ounces.

sausage grill barbecue recipe
Bruno Kelzer

Turkey Sausage

Ingredients:

  • 2267 g ground turkey
  • 118 g oats
  • 499 g water
  • 39 g salt
  • 6 g #1 curing salt
  • 2 g black pepper
  • 2 g red chili flakes
  • 7 g mustard seed
  • 5 g brown sugar
  • 7 g garlic
  • 29 g milk powder

Method:

  1. In a small sauce pot, heat the water until simmering, and then add oats.
  2. Cut the heat and allow the oats to fully hydrate in the water, then cool.
  3. Once oats are thoroughly cooled, combine turkey, oats, and all seasonings.
  4. Mix until uniform.

Chef’s note: “This sausage works great in casings, as meatballs, or even as a turkey burger that stands its ground next to any beef you put beside it.”

Jalapeno Cheddar Sausage

Ingredients:

  • 2267 g pork shoulder
  • 41 g salt
  • 6 g #1 curing salt
  • 9 g black pepper
  • 7 g red chili
  • 14 g sugar
  • 18 g mustard seed
  • 9 g garlic powder
  • 5 g onion powder
  • 113 g jalapeño, seeded
  • 454 g water
  • 227 g cheddar cheese

Method:

  1. Dice meat to a uniform size to fit in the mouth of a grinder.
  2. Combine all dry spices and seeded jalapeños; mix uniformly with the raw shoulder; let cure for 3-4 hours under refrigeration.
  3. Grind the meat, spices, and jalapeño in a grinder fitted with a .25-inch plate, and process the entire batch of meat.
  4. Once ground, mix in the remaining ingredients, the water and cheddar, and mix well with your hands (do not use a mixer to mix the meat).
  5. Once the mixture becomes tacky and has a uniform appearance, the sausage is ready to be used, either as is or stuffed into casings and smoked.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
This delicious quiche recipe is fit for royalty (literally) and perfect for brunch
This "official food of the Coronation" is delicious, whether you care about the royals or not.
coronation quiche recipe closeup

The Coronation of King Charles III is next weekend, and apparently, that matters in some way, for some reason. Though, even the Brits (hell, especially the Brits) don't seem too enthusiastic about the new King and Queen Consort.
Back when William and Kate tied the knot, I was working in an office in the Transamerica building in San Francisco. When I arrived to work that day, the lobby was decked out in ridiculously cartoonish royal garb, complete with Union Jacks flying high and beefy security guards in ridiculous bearskin hats. When I stepped out of the elevator and into my office, "God Save the Queen" was blaring in the break room, and one of our more enthusiastic staff members had prepared Eton Mess for all 30-some employees. I'll be honest — I didn't get it. Don't get me wrong, I had three servings of Eton Mess that day and enjoyed every moment of the post-work British pub happy hour later that evening. But as far as the obsession with royalty our country has? It doesn't make much sense to me. Unless, of course, you bring food into the equation. That's when things get fun.
There will be nay-sayers and grumpy Guses when it comes to British food, naturally. But the UK has given us so many delectable dishes. Can you imagine a world without fish and chips? Or bangers and mash? Shepherd's pie?! Of course not. These hearty, filling, goes-great-with-a-pint meals are what comfort tastes like, and we'll take several hearty servings of each, please and thank you.
Another British dish we love is the quiche. Granted, the origins of the quiche are not strictly British, per se, but since the quiche has been selected as the "official food of the coronation," we've decided to not pull at that thread. After all, quiche is delicious. And whether you're planning on waking up in the middle of the night to enthusiastically watch the Coronation, tiara perched upon your bedhead, or you just like a good brunch recipe — this is a good way to celebrate.
The King and The Queen Consort's Coronation Quiche

The Coronation Quiche recipe
 

Read more
Exclusive: this easy dill pickle pimento cheese dip recipe is perfect for spring snacking
This tradition has been going strong since the 40s. Now you can enjoy it at home.
Dill pickle pimento cheese dip

Even if golf isn't really your thing, you must know that, apart from the sport itself, the Masters is really all about one thing for those who attend — the Pimento Cheese sandwiches. Alright, that's probably an exaggeration, given that the Masters is a pretty big deal when it comes to golf. But for those of us who, honestly, attend just about any event solely for the food, it all comes down to the snacks.
The famous Masters' pimento cheese sandwiches started back in the late 40s when husband and wife Hodges and Ola Herndon whipped up a big batch and sold them to hungry golfers and fans at the famous tournament. At the time, a quarter was the going rate for this delicious snack, which has now, thanks to adoring fans, become a staple of Masters' tradition.

Now sold for a mere $1.50 a piece, the pimento cheese sandwich legacy lives on, being sold at Augusta National's concession stands throughout the tournament. They're made fresh every day and come wrapped in grassy green plastic bags for easy eating on the go.
If you're one of those golf fans who's mourning the end of the Masters and just can't wait a whole year for the return of its festivities, we've got some good news for you. Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing in Raleigh, N.C. has created their own personal twist on this Masters' classic that you can make at home. Wye Hill has shared their incredible recipe exclusively with The Manual, and we can't get enough of this dip. It marries creamy housemade pimento cheese and tangy dill pickle relish for the ultimate shareable snack.
So whether it's the golf tournament, baseball game, or Dancing with the Stars finale, this incredibly delectable snack will have every single person reaching for more.
Dill pickle pimento cheese dip recipe

Read more
The 12 Best Valentine’s Day Cocktail Recipes to Make
Cazadores tequila.

Flowers are fine, and gifts are great, but nothing says romance like a little DIY. And there's no need to bust out the tool belt for this one -- save the big projects for the nice weather and set the mood this Valentine's Day with a cocktail party for two. Whether you go all-out on a home-cooked meal or leave it to the pros and order in, take the time to make one (or five) of these gorgeous Valentine's Day cocktails that will be sure to impress.

We've compiled a list of 12 sexy cocktails to make at your home bar for all palates and preferences. From bitter to sweet, vodka to mezcal, and simple to complex, you'll find plenty here to shake things up for your Valentine this year (or for yourself; we're not here to judge).
Crystal Head Vodka Night Cap

Read more