What is Summer Sausage made of?

Summer sausage is one of the most popular dried meat products for the holiday season, but its name suggests otherwise.

Summer sausage is a perfect fit for a holiday dinner but is a versatile ingredient that can be used to supplement other foods.

Many people don’t know what to think about this peculiar delight.

What is the main ingredient in summer sausage?

Summer sausage is made from any pork product that has been cured and smoked, such as bratwurst, chorizo, sausages, etc. 

There are many types of sausages found throughout Europe, including Italian sausage, bologna, pepperoni, and frankfurter.

Pork, beef, venison, or some combination of these are some of the most popular meats used for summer sausage.

Pepper, garlic, and even coriander are some of the spices that can be included in summer sausage. 

Why Is it Called a Summer Sausage?

It’s not certain what the origin of the name is. Sausages have been made for hundreds of years, and the tradition of summer sausage originated in Germany.

When pigs and other livestock were slaughtered, the sausage would usually be made at the end of fall or the beginning of winter.

The cold months made it possible for the meat to dry.

The finished sausages could be stored without refrigerating them because the curing process kept the meat from being spoiled regardless of the weather.

The name most likely came from the fact that they were eaten most of the time during the summer.

People used to need a steady supply of food during the hot summer months because fresh food wouldn’t last very long if left uneaten.

Sausages and other cured meats became an excellent substitute when there were no other alternatives and could be made from a reliable animal supply.

Most people eat sausages in winter because they are produced year-round in more controlled environments.

What Exactly Is a Summer Sausage?

Traditionally, summer sausage is a type of cured sausage made from whatever meat was available at the time.

Sausages and other dried meats were made to last for the upcoming year and make the most efficient use of livestock because the meat would spoil if left uncured.

It wasn’t impossible to find chicken, turkey, or lamb summer sausage, although Pork meat was often used, followed by beef and venison.

The different tastes of the meats can be provided by mixing them. Sausages made from pork, beef, or a mix of pork and beef or venison can be found today.

The only things that go into making summer sausage are the meat and the ingredients.

The meat is ground, seasoned, and cured before being stuffed into the animal’s cleaned-out intestine before cooking.

Sausages of the modern era are often made of synthetic or fibrous materials. After the sausage is opened, the best thing to do is discard some of the casings.

The meat used for summer sausage is usually either a mixture of lean pork or beef and fatty pork trimmings or meat cuts with a mixture of muscle and fat.

Since the pork shoulder has a nice balance, it is used most often if you only use a single cut.

The fat content of the sausage should be between 20% and 30%, and it is possible to mix lean cuts and fat for the greatest precision.

If ground and seasoned appropriately, summer sausages can be made from other cuts of meat.

Sausages are considered summer sausages in the US if their fat percentage is less than 50%, so read the list of ingredients carefully if you want the finest product.

The result will taste slightly different depending on the fat percentage, but it will be appetizing.

It is possible to duplicate the taste of cured summer sausage with the help of citric acid.

It is sometimes added as a shortcut since it will accelerate the curing process but doesn’t completely remove the need for adequate curing and smoking.

What Are The Spices Used in Summer Sausage?

Sausage made in the summer doesn’t need a lot of seasoning. Salt is required to aid the curing process and enhance the rich meat flavor.

Salts are used to start the production process and keep the meat fresh.

Ground black pepper, red pepper, mustard, garlic, etc can be used in summer sausages. You can even use sugar.

Traditional summer sausages have a milder flavor than cayenne pepper and paprika, which can be used for heat.

Depending on how the end product is supposed to taste, summer sausage seasonings can vary.

To develop a distinct flavor, some manufacturers include more or fewer spices. The fresh ground meat is enriched with spices.

If you put most spices in the sausage meat from start to finish, they will help with the curing process.

Depending on the meat used, the choice of spices for a summer sausage can also be made.

If you want to make summer sausage at home, you can find sausage spice mixtures that have the ingredients you need to make it.

It is a learning curve to make sausage during the summer.

You can easily adjust the next batches once you have figured out what works and what doesn’t.

FAQ

Can I Eat Summer Sausage Raw (or) Without Cooking It?

Sausage is traditionally smoked and cured during the summer months. The meat will not be spoiled and the pathogens will not be present.

Cured meats do not need to be cooked to be safe for consumption. If you want a hotter meal, you can put a sausage on to boil or fry it for a short while.

Since summer sausage is usually served with cheese and crackers on a platter, they’re best eaten as they are.

Summer sausage can be eaten without cooking it, but other sausages are not.

To make sure you prepare sausages according to the instructions on the label, double-check the sausages you purchase.

Can I Eat the casing of Summer Sausage?

Sausages come in many shapes and sizes in the summer.

Sausages were usually made from the same animal as it was butchered, and were usually made from the animal’s small intestine.

The curve is the fastest way to determine if the sausage has a natural one, as it gives the sausages a slight curve.

Pig intestines are most commonly used in Europe and America, although beef or other animals can be an alternative.

There are dedicated butcher’s stores where you can find peeled and dried pork intestines.

Other casings are less edible. The most common casings used for summer sausage are made from collagen.

Now the collagen is processed into a hallow casing and filled with meat for smoking. 

Fresh, processed, rounds, and middles are some of the common types of collagen casing. The latter two are not eatable but are used for sausage during the summer.

Although the rest of the sausage won’t be vegetarian, they are made from plant material and are a vegetarian-friendly alternative.

Our digestive system won’t be able to process them in any way, so they generally aren’t bad for you. It is common to prepare and store summer sausage in plastic.

It is relatively cheap and plentiful compared to natural products. The plastic parts are completely inedible.

Don’t worry, if you eat some of the sausages with it, you’ll be fine. Casings of the summer sausage are safe to eat, although they aren’t very healthy and may taste strange.

Does Summer Sausage Need to Be Refrigerated?

The meat in the summer sausage can be shelf-stable for a few years after being cured and smoked.

The combination of spices and the production process allowed it to last longer, and that’s what gave it the name.

It doesn’t mean that you won’t need to keep the summer sausage refrigerated.

Refrigerating or freezing dried sausage allows it to be kept for months at a time or even the entire year, without the worry of it getting spoiled.

Summer sausage is often served with other cold foods such as cheese or salads. You can get the perfect serving temperature by keeping them in the fridge before opening them.

Summer sausage will never go bad if it is kept in the freezer. After six or more months, it will probably lose most of its taste, and won’t be enjoyable to eat.

Combine the curing process and cold temperatures and you can make summer sausage that will last for a long time in the freezer.

The sausages will be kept in the freezer at a temperature of 0 degrees F.

How Long Can Summer Sausage Last When Unrefrigerated?

Sausage made in the summer protects the meat from spoiling for longer than fresh meat and slows down the growth of bacteria.

Summer sausage can be kept in the pantry for four to six weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity.

If it is in hot or damp storage space, summer sausage can be ruined.

It won’t be comparable to a fridge or a freezer, but it will last the longest in the basement or pantry.

Summer sausage doesn’t last long outside once it’s opened.

As soon as the protective shell is removed, the meat will start to lose its flavor. It is best to keep the summer sausage in the fridge or freezer after opening it.

How Long Will Summer Sausage Last when kept in Fridge?

Summer sausages can last for a long time in the fridge. The best quality summer sausage will keep in the refrigerator for about six months.

The taste could be off after that, losing some of its attractiveness. If you keep your sausages in the fridge, they can be eaten even after their best before date.

The curing and smoking process does an excellent job of slowing the growth of bacteria and keeping meat safe for consumption for a long time.

The summer sausage needs to be kept in the fridge to keep it safe to eat. For at least two to three weeks, it can stay.

Sausages can last more than a month if your fridge is cold and the sausage is high-quality.

It’s best to stick to the recommended two to three weeks for homemade sausages because they don’t come with specific instructions.

Sausage that has been Spoiled in the summer will have an odd smell, appearance, or color. It is a good idea to discard it if it is slimy, soggy or has visible mold.

Can I freeze Summer Sausages?

Sausage can be frozen during the summer season. The meat will be safe to eat for longer if it is frozen.

It is possible to keep a summer sausage in the fridge indefinitely if it is set to 0F or a lower temperature.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep summer sausage in the freezer after 10 months. The longer the meat remains in the freezer, the less appetizing it will be to eat.

The freezer option is superfluous because this treat is eaten within days of opening.

It is possible to keep summer sausage in the freezer for about the same amount of time as open ones.

Most of the time, the loss of taste will occur sooner than later. If it is next to other spoilable goods, opened summer sausage will occasionally spoil in the freezer.

If you have dug out an old summer sausage from the fridge, you can usually tell if it has been spoiled by the smell or color.

Conclusion

If you know what summer sausage is made from, you can choose your favorite meat and seasonings to make your next dinner party even better.

You can eat summer sausage with cheese and crackers, but you can also eat some tomatoes and eggs with it.