What is summer sausage made of? Why is it called summer sausage? It’s not just for summer, but it goes well with a cold drink. Plus, learn what kind of cheese goes with summer sausage.
Some of the best snacks in the world are summer sausages, but you can get them all year, not just in the summer. There is no better time of the year than now to enjoy this tasty treat with any meal or gathering. So what’s up with the seasonal name?.
Summer sausage is a cured, smoked sausage that is a popular snack food year-round. It has a distinctive smoky, spicy flavor and firm texture that stands up well to cooking methods like grilling, pan frying, or baking. But besides just eating it in slices, what are some creative ways to use summer sausage? Here are 15 delicious ideas for putting this flavorful sausage to work.
Overview of Summer Sausage
Summer sausage refers to any sausage that is fermented and smoked. It is typically made from a mixture of ground beef and pork along with lots of spices like pepper, mustard seed, garlic, and coriander. The sausage mixture is stuffed into a casing, fermented, smoked up to 4 weeks over low heat, and then dried. This gives summer sausage its signature smoky flavor and firm, chewy texture.
Serving Ideas for Summer Sausage
From appetizers to main dishes, here are some fun ways to eat summer sausage:
1. Charcuterie Board
Thin slices of summer sausage are perfect for charcuterie and cheese boards. Pair summer sausage with cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or brie, fruits like grapes and figs, olives, nuts, mustards, and crackers or bread.
2. Snack with Crackers
Enjoy hearty slices of summer sausage with your favorite crackers, such as whole wheat crackers or pita chips The contrasts of flaky crackers and hearty sausage make a satisfying snack.
3. Breakfast Sandwiches
Wake up to a breakfast sandwich layered with egg, summer sausage patties, and cheese on an English muffin or biscuit It’s a quick and protein-packed start to the day.
4. Pretzel Bites
Cut summer sausage into small cubes to top bite-sized soft pretzel pieces for an easy appetizer Serve with mustard for dipping.
5. Quesadillas
Slice summer sausage to tuck inside a quesadilla stuffed with cheese, peppers, and onions for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
6. Pasta Salad
Dice up summer sausage to mix into pasta salads along with veggies, cheese, and a creamy dressing. The smoky, savory pieces pair perfectly.
7. Pizza Topping
Use sliced or chopped summer sausage as a flavorful meat topping for homemade pizza. The spices in the sausage add a kick.
8. Omelets
Chopped summer sausage is delicious sautéed with veggies like peppers, onions, mushrooms, or spinach to fill a hearty omelet for breakfast or dinner.
9. Kabobs
Thread cubes of summer sausage onto skewers with veggies or fruit like pineapple and grill to perfection. Brush with a sweet glaze or dip in mustard.
10. Baked Potatoes
Pile sliced summer sausage on top of baked potatoes along with cheese, sour cream, chives, and bacon bits for an easy meal.
11. Salads
Toss chunks or slices of summer sausage into any salad for a protein boost. Hearty greens stand up well to the flavor.
12. Pasta Sauce
Sauté summer sausage with tomatoes, basil, oregano, peppers, onions, garlic, and wine to make a rich meat sauce for pasta.
13. Hash
Fry up diced summer sausage with potatoes, peppers, onions, and seasonings for a saucy, smoky hash to enjoy for breakfast or dinner.
14. Stir Fry
Slice and add summer sausage to vegetable or rice stir fry recipes. It adds a savory, smoky kick.
15. Soups
Add sliced summer sausage to soups like potato, bean, lentil, or vegetable soup. It infuses everything with its bold flavor.
As you can see, the uses for summer sausage go way beyond just snacking! With its wonderfully spiced flavor, it can enhance eggs, sandwiches, pizzas, pastas, salads, and more.
Tips for Cooking with Summer Sausage
Keep these tips in mind when incorporating summer sausage into recipes:
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Slice thinly when serving plain or on crackers to appreciate the cured texture.
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Dice, slice or break into smaller pieces for cooking in scrambled eggs, pasta, or hash.
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Grill, pan fry, bake, or sauté to heat through and lightly brown the outside.
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Add during the last 5-10 minutes when cooking into soups or stir fries to prevent overcooking.
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Use high heat to sear or char the outside but avoid prolonged cooking at high heat that can toughen it.
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Brush with oil or glaze and grill over medium heat, turning to brown all sides while avoiding flare ups.
With its signature smoky essence and meaty chewiness, summer sausage can take eggs, sandwiches, snacks, salads, and more from boring to spectacular. Follow these serving ideas and cooking tips to enjoy summer sausage in lots of savory and unexpected ways.
FAQ
What is the best way to store summer sausage?
Keep summer sausage refrigerated for up to 1 month. For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
How long does it take to cook summer sausage?
Summer sausage is fully cooked so it just needs to be heated through. Pan fry slices for 2-3 minutes per side or until lightly browned. Chopped summer sausage takes 1-2 minutes to heat through.
What kind of wine pairs well with summer sausage?
The bold spices and smoke of summer sausage pair nicely with medium bodied red wines like pinot noir, zinfandel and syrah. Light, fruit-forward white wines also complement the flavors.
What cheeses go well with summer sausage?
Tangy and salty cheeses like aged gouda, sharp cheddar, Swiss, Gruyere, smoked gouda and pepper jack all taste fantastic with summer sausage.
Can you eat summer sausage cold?
Absolutely! One of the pleasures of summer sausage is enjoying thin slices of it straight from the fridge. The smoked flavor really shines through when served cold.
The smoky zing and hearty chew of summer sausage make it an endlessly versatile ingredient. From custom charcuterie boards to weeknight pastas, the flavorful sausage can enhance snacks, appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and more. Get creative with these 15 recipe ideas and cooking tips for making the most of summer sausage!
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What is the difference between summer sausage and salami?
As was already said, summer sausage is a semi-dry sausage; it loses about 15% of its original moisture as it ages. Even though salami is a type of summer sausage, it usually loses about 25% of its original moisture as it ages, which makes it a dry sausage. Thus, it stays fresh longer, and some kinds can even be kept for a while without being chilled. (Always refer to storage directions on the package of any sausage. ).
Does summer sausage need to be refrigerated?
Yes. Before we get too carried away, “without refrigeration” is a relative term. We are talking about meat, after all. While there are some dry sausages (pepperoni, saucisson sec, etc. Some summer sausages are shelf-stable, but most of it is semi-dry and needs to be kept in the fridge if you want to keep it for a while.
Even though summer sausage can be served at room temperature, it lasts up to one month longer if you keep it in the fridge. It is a perishable food item and requires proper storage to maintain its freshness and prevent bacterial growth. For safety reasons and to make it last longer, it should be kept in cool places when not in use.