Is Deer Sausage Pre-Cooked? Everything You Need To Know

Deer sausage is a delicious treat for hunters and sausage lovers alike. But an important question arises when preparing venison sausage – is it already fully cooked and safe to eat as-is, or does it require thorough cooking before consumption? The pre-cooked status of deer sausage depends on how it was processed. Let’s explore the ins and outs of cooking venison sausage.

How is Deer Sausage Made?

There are a few common methods used to make deer sausage:

• Fresh, uncooked – Freshly ground venison mixed with spices and stuffed into casings This sausage is completely raw and must be fully cooked before eating.

• Hot smoked – The sausage is smoked at temperatures between 150-180°F. This both cooks the meat to a safe internal temperature and infuses flavorful smoke. Hot smoked sausage is fully cooked.

• Cold smoked – The meat is smoked at temperatures under 100°F. This adds smoke flavor but does not cook the meat, leaving it raw. Cold smoked sausage must be cooked thoroughly before consumption.

• Fermented and air dried – The meat undergoes controlled bacterial fermentation, then is air dried, which prevents bacterial growth. This creates a ready-to-eat cured sausage like salami.

Is Store-Bought Deer Sausage Pre-Cooked?

If you purchase commercially made deer sausage, it is most often fully cooked and ready to eat. Brands such as Summer Sausage Co. state their venison sausage is pre-cooked. Always check the label to be sure.

Signs that deer sausage has already been fully cooked include:

• Label specifies it is pre-cooked or ready to eat
• Firm texture and shiny casing (not soft or squishy)
• Uniform brown interior color (no pink spots)
• Stores in refrigerated section, not frozen meat

As a note – even pre-cooked venison sausage should be heated to an internal temperature of 165°F before consuming to maximize safety.

What About Homemade Deer Sausage?

With homemade deer sausage, the pre-cooked status depends on the preparation method:

• If you used a hot-smoking process that raised the internal temperature to at least 160°F, then the sausage is fully cooked.

• If you fresh-ground the meat and only stuffed it into casings, it is completely raw and must be thoroughly cooked.

• Cold-smoking alone does not cook the meat, leaving it raw. Always cook cold-smoked sausage thoroughly until no pink remains.

• Curing and air-drying techniques make the venison sausage safe to eat without cooking.

When in doubt, cook homemade deer sausage to 165°F internal temperature before consuming to guarantee safety. Use a digital instant read thermometer to verify the internal temp reaches 165°F.

Grilling Deer Sausage Safely

Grilling is a popular cooking method for deer sausage. Follow these tips for safe grilling:

• If using pre-cooked sausage, grill until heated through, about 5-7 minutes per side.

• For fresh, raw sausage, grill 15-20 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• Use medium heat on the grill, around 350-450°F, to avoid scorching the casings.

• Butterfly thick sausages before grilling to ensure even thorough cooking.

• Turn sausages frequently to prevent burning.

• Insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of multiple sausages to confirm safe internal temperature.

Pan Frying and Baking Deer Sausage

Besides the grill, deer sausage can be prepared through pan frying or baking:

Pan Frying:

• Use medium heat to avoid burning.

• Cook pre-cooked sausage about 5 minutes per side to reheat.

• For raw sausage, cook 15-20 minutes per side until 165°F internal temp.

• Turn frequently for even cooking.

• Butterfly thick links before cooking.

Baking:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.

• Place sausage on a baking sheet or pan.

• Bake pre-cooked sausage 15-20 minutes until heated through.

• For raw sausage, bake 30-45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

• Turn sausages halfway through baking.

• Check temperature to guarantee food safety.

Tips for Safe Deer Sausage Consumption

Here are some final tips for safely enjoying deer sausage:

• Always verify true pre-cooked status – don’t assume. Check with your processor.

• If uncertain, cook thoroughly to 165°F internal temperature.

• Even if pre-cooked, reheat or grill before eating for added safety.

• Watch for signs of spoilage like foul odors, sliminess, or mold and discard if detected.

• Refrigerate unused cooked sausage within 2 hours, and use within 3-4 days.

• Frozen, pre-cooked sausage maintains quality for about 3 months.

• Store raw deer sausage tightly wrapped in freezer for 6-12 months max.

Following proper handling and cooking procedures helps guarantee you can enjoy the unique taste of deer sausage while staying safe from foodborne illnesses. Trust your thermometer, cook thoroughly, and relish the rewards of tasty venison sausage!