This venison summer sausage recipe is so easy and tasty. I love it because it can be made in the oven! No need for a smoker. Since it doesn’t need casings, all you need are some spices, an oven, and a baking sheet to make it. Really great for when you don’t have much equipment but want to get started with wild game sausage.
Cooking venison sausage to juicy, flavorful perfection in the oven is easy when you know the secrets to getting the cook time just right. With a few simple tips and techniques you can ensure your venison links have that ideal balance of flavorful interior and slightly crispy, browned exterior. In this comprehensive guide we’ll walk through everything you need to know to master the venison sausage oven cook time.
Getting Started with Venison Sausage
Venison sausage makes for a tasty protein-packed meal full of deep, savory flavor. The lean venison is often mixed with pork fat to keep the sausage juicy and tender. With so little fat venison sausage can easily dry out if overcooked, so perfecting the oven cook time is key.
There are a few varieties of venison sausage to choose from:
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Fresh sausage – Fresh, uncooked sausage that needs to be fully cooked before eating. Often sold in links or bulk.
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Smoked sausage – Sausage that has been fully cooked and smoked. Just needs to be heated through before serving.
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Fully cooked sausage – Fresh sausage that has been precooked but not smoked. Still needs additional cooking.
No matter what type you buy, the oven is one of the easiest cooking methods for venison sausage.
Oven Cook Time Considerations
When determining the oven cook time for venison sausage, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
###Thickness
The thickness of your sausage links will impact cook time. Thicker sausages will need more time in the oven to fully cook through to the center. Thin or skinny sausages will cook faster.
- Thick sausages (1-inch diameter or larger) – 30-35 minutes
- Average sausages (3/4 to 1-inch) – 25-30 minutes
- Thin sausages (1/2-inch or less) – 15-20 minutes
Amount
Cooking large batches of sausage will increase oven cook time versus just a few links. With more sausage in the oven, it takes longer for the heat to fully penetrate each piece. Monitor closely and adjust time as needed.
Preparation
Sausages that have been poked with holes or sliced open before cooking will decrease oven cook time slightly since it allows juices to escape and heat to transfer quicker. Leave links whole for maximum juiciness.
Temperature
Cook times are based on an oven temperature of 400°F. Use an oven thermometer to ensure accuracy. Higher heat will decrease cook time; lower temps will increase it.
Doneness
Always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times. Venison sausage should reach 160°F at a minimum for food safety. Going to 165°F ensures the interior is cooked through.
Step-by-Step Method for Oven-Cooked Venison Sausage
Follow these simple steps for perfect oven-cooked venison sausage every time:
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Be sure to give your oven plenty of time to fully preheat before cooking.
2. Prepare Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. You can also use a broiler pan or baking dish.
3. Arrange Sausages
Place sausage links on the baking sheet, evenly spaced apart. Make sure they are not touching or overlapping.
4. Cook Uncovered
Cooking the sausages uncovered allows for enhanced browning and texture.
5. Bake for 20-35 Minutes
Refer to the recommended oven cook times above based on thickness. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the time range.
6. Flip Halfway
Flip the sausages over halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
7. Check Temperature
Test the internal temperature of sausages, in thickest part, with a meat thermometer. Venison sausage should reach 160-165°F.
8. Allow to Rest
Once fully cooked, remove sausages from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps retain juices.
And that’s it! With these simple steps and temperature checks, you’ll achieve perfectly cooked venison sausage every time.
Oven Cook Time Tips
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Brush sausages with oil before cooking for enhanced browning and flavor.
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Add desired seasonings before cooking – try garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sage, paprika, chili powder, etc.
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If sausages start overbrowning before fully cooked, loosely tent foil over them.
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Grilling or pan frying may take less time than oven cooking for quick meals.
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Fully cooked smoked sausage just needs to be heated through, about 10-15 minutes.
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Baked potatoes, roasted veggies, or cheese grits all make great oven-cooked sides.
Common Venison Sausage Mistakes to Avoid
It can take a few tries to learn the ideal oven cook time for venison sausage. Watch out for these common mistakes:
Undercooking – Sausages may look nicely browned but still be undercooked in center. Always check internal temperature.
Overcooking – It’s easy to overdry venison sausage in the oven. Follow recommended cook times and use a meat thermometer.
Crowding – Too many sausages crowded on a sheet leads to uneven cooking. Leave space between links.
Flipping – Forget to flip halfway through and sausages brown unevenly. Set a timer to remember.
Poking – Poking sausages before cooking dries them out. Leave whole and poke after cooking if needed.
High heat – Excessive oven heat leads to burnt exterior and undercooked interior. Stick to 400°F or under.
Oven Venison Sausage Recipe Inspiration
Now that you know how to perfectly oven-cook venison sausage, it’s time to get creative with your recipes!
Simple Baked Venison Sausage
For an easy anytime meal, simply bake up a batch of venison sausage links in the oven. Serve with roasted potatoes and a crisp salad.
Venison Sausage with Apples and Onions
Sliced apples and onions bake up deliciously alongside venison sausage for a sweet and savory combo.
Venison Sausage Pepper Bake
For a hearty meal, bake Italian-seasoned venison sausage with bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cheese.
Sweet & Spicy Baked Venison Sausage
Brown sugar and red pepper flakes liven up the classic flavors of sage and garlic in these oven-baked venison sausages.
Loaded Venison Sausage Potato Bake
Take venison sausage to the next level in this cheesy, creamy casserole with hash browns and veggies.
With the venison sausage oven cook time mastered, you’re ready to get creative in the kitchen! Adjust methods and cook times as needed to suit your specific sausage and oven. Enjoy your perfectly cooked venison sausage meal.
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Easy Venison Summer Sausage Recipe
First, I like to mix beef or pork with this recipe, so it isn’t too dry. You don’t want to add deer fat, because it has a higher melt point than beef or pork. So if you use deer fat, it will leave your mouth with an unpleasant coating of fat. You can use 100% venison, but it will be quite dry.
Place all meat into large mixing bowl. Use your hands or a large spoon to break up the meat. Sprinkle the seasonings all over the meat. Do not just dump it in one place; sprinkle it over the top to make it mix better. Use your hands to mix the meat thoroughly.
Put the sausage mix into a bowl with a lid that fits tightly, or cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Place meat into the fridge for 24 hours. You can adjust this by a couple hours, if necessary, to accommodate your schedule. The last batch I made, I let it set 36 hours because that’s just how it worked out.
How to store summer sausage
When the sausage is cooled, wrap it tightly in freezer paper and label. Putting it in the fridge for up to a week or longer is fine. Freezing it for up to three months is longer. We enjoy deer summer sausage with cheese and crackers or sliced very thinly and put on bread for a sandwich.
- 3 lbs ground venison
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 5 Tablespoons Mortons Tender Quick Salt
- 2 Tablespoons black pepper coarse ground
- 2 Tablespoons mustard seeds
- Season the meat with spices, then use your hands to mix the meat and spices together well.
- Cover and let rest in fridge for 24-48 hours.
- Make 4 equal parts, and roll each one into a tight, even roll about 12 inches long.
- Place meat rolls on a foil-lined baking sheet OR on a baking rack inside a baking pan to catch the juices.
- Bake at 300° for 3 hours. As soon as it’s cool, put it in the fridge or wrap it up tightly in freezer paper. Freeze up to three months.
Venison Sausage
How long do you cook venison sausage in the oven?
Once the oven has reached the desired temperature, pop the tray of seasoned venison sausages into the center of the oven. Allow them to cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the sausages reach an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C). Rotating the sausages halfway through the cooking time will ensure a golden brown and crispy exterior.
Can you cook venison sausages on a baking sheet?
You can use either a baking sheet or a roasting pan for cooking venison sausages in the oven. Both work well, but using a pan with a rack will allow for better air circulation and help the sausages cook more evenly. Should I oil the baking sheet or pan? It is not necessary to oil the baking sheet or pan when cooking venison sausages.
What temperature should venison sausage be cooked at?
The internal temperature should read 160°F (71°C) for fully cooked deer sausage. It is important to cook deer sausage thoroughly to kill any potential bacteria or parasites that may be present in the meat. Consuming undercooked venison sausage can pose a risk to your health. Is venison sausage ready to eat?
Can venison summer sausage be made in the oven?
This venison summer sausage recipe is so easy and tasty. I love it because it can be made in the oven! No need for a smoker. It does not use casings, so you can literally make it with several seasonings, an oven, and a baking sheet. Really great for when you don’t have much equipment but want to get started with wild game sausage.