where to buy sausage for pizza

#Finding the Best Sausage for Homemade Pizza Perfection

As a homemade pizza enthusiast I’m always on the hunt for ways to take my pies to the next level. And in my experience one of the best toppings for flavor and texture is quality Italian sausage. When that sausage is carefully browned and crumbled, it adds little bursts of savory, fatty goodness in every bite. But finding the right sausage can be tricky – not all types work well on pizza. In this article, I’ll share my tips on exactly where to buy the tastiest sausage for your homemade pizza night.

What Makes a Good Pizza Sausage?

Before getting into the where, let’s first talk about what makes a sausage ideal for pizza. There are a few key factors I look for:

• Mild flavor – You want the sausage to complement the cheese and sauce without overpowering it, Strongly seasoned links can clash

• Small size – Larger sausages don’t crumble nicely. Seek out links around 1-2 ounces in size.

• Pork or pork blend – While you can use other meats pork has the right fat content for getting crisp.

• No strong fennel flavor – A light fennel seasoning is fine but too much tastes off on pizza.

• Fresh, not pre-cooked – Pre-cooked sausage can be mushy. Go for raw links you can brown yourself.

Keep these factors in mind as you shop and you’ll be sure to end up with great pizza sausage. Now let’s look at the best places to buy it.

Check Your Local Butcher Shop

My number one tip for finding fantastic sausage is to visit a local butcher shop. Quality butchers often handcraft sausages daily using fresh, high-end ingredients. I like to ask questions at the counter to learn about the types of meat and seasonings used in their sausage. Let them know you’ll be using it for pizza, and they can guide you to the perfect links.

Butcher shop sausages are made with great care and specialty ingredients you just can’t find pre-packaged. Sure, it requires an extra errand, but for pizza night the freshness is well worth it. You can usually find smaller 1-2 oz sizes ideal for crumbling. The quality and flavor of butcher sausages can’t be beat!

Search the Grocery Store Deli

If a butcher isn’t convenient, a great alternative is the deli counter at your grocery store. Many large supermarkets now make their own sausages in house. Browse the selection for Italian pork varieties around 1-2 oz in size. If you don’t see any suitable options, you can request the deli workers make a fresh batch.

Grocery store deli sausages don’t offer the same quality as a butcher, but they’re more accessible. And you can buy just what need for one pizza night, unlike butcher minimum quantities. For a widely available and budget-friendly option, fresh deli links are your best bet.

Order Specialty Sausage Online

The convenience of online shopping extends even to sausages – numerous specialty e-tailers ship Italian sausage nationwide. Browse until you find a company that fits your priorities, whether that’s organic, freshly made, heritage breed meats, artisanal flavors, or unique spice blends.

Ordering online provides access to specialty sausages you’d never find in stores. And you can get exactly the quantity need right to your doorstep. Just be sure to closely read reviews first, since you can’t taste test them yourself. Overall though, online is great for sausage diversity and convenience.

Make Your Own Homemade Sausage

For the true DIY pizza aficionado, making your own homemade sausage can be extremely rewarding. You control every ingredient that goes into the sausage, customizing it to your taste. While encasing sausage into links takes practice, simply crumbling ground sausage is pretty straightforward.

To make it, start with quality pork like shoulder. Mix in seasoning like garlic, pepper, oregano, fennel, and red wine. Form the sausage mixture into small chunks and cook in a skillet until browned and cooked through. Then add your homemade crumbles onto the perfect pizza!

It does take more hands-on effort, but the end result is well worth it. Homemade sausage lets you craft your perfect pizza topping.

Buy Pre-Packaged as a Last Resort

When you’re in a pinch for time, pre-packaged sausages from the grocery freezer section can work too. Just know that the quality won’t be nearly as good. Mass produced frozen sausages often use questionable ingredients pumped with preservatives.

But they provide a convenient shortcut when needed – just try to find a brand using higher quality meats without too many additives. Pre-cook them before adding to pizza to avoid a mushy texture. For a quick weeknight dinner, they do the job in a hurry.

How to Cook Sausage for Pizza

Once you’ve got great pizza sausage, it’s time for the fun part – crumbling and cooking it! Here are my tips:

• Remove casing before crumbling into small pieces.

• Cook in olive oil over medium heat until browned.

• Drain excess fat to prevent a greasy pizza.

• Mix in Italian herbs, garlic, pepper, etc. if desired.

• Sprinkle crumbles evenly over pizza for bites in every slice.

• Add other toppings like onions, peppers, mushrooms, etc.