What do you think sausage is made of? You might be surprised that it’s not just pork and beef. Different sausages can contain all sorts of ingredients, from chicken to venison.
Keep reading to learn more about the surprising ingredients that make sausage. You might even be inspired to make your own at home!
Pork Sausages
Pork sausages are a type of sausage that is made from ground pork. There are many pork sausages, but the most common ones are made from pork shoulder or neck. Some other types of pork sausages that are made with other parts of the pig include hams, bacon, and bacon.
The main ingredients in a pork sausage are ground pork and salt. Other spices, such as garlic and pepper, can also be used. It is usually smoked before it is packaged or sold, which gives it its unique flavor.
Beef Sausages
Beef sausages are made from ground beef and pork mixture. Sausages can be made from any combination of those meats, but the most common types are made with 80% beef and 20% pork. Some sausages also have added salt, pepper, garlic, and onion.
What makes a sausage a sausage is the casing or skin. A casing is made from animal intestines (usually pig or cattle) and is stuffed with ground meat before sewing up. This creates a pouch in which the sausage can be cooked or grilled. The casing also gives the sausage its characteristic flavor and appearance.
Sausage skins can be either fresh or dry-cured. Fresh sausages are un-smoked and dried after they are made, so they won’t spoil as quickly as dry-cured sausages, which are smoked. Dry-curing involves injecting a curing agent (such as brine, vinegar, or sugar) into the sausage while it is still wet, which helps to preserve it.
Turkey Sausages
Turkey sausages are a popular type of sausage made from ground turkey. They can be made with various ingredients, but bread crumbs, spices, and water are the most common ones. Turkey sausages are usually grilled or roasted and used as an appetizer or main course.
Chicken Sausages
Chicken sausages are typically made from chicken meat ground up and formed into a sausage-like shape.
The most common chicken sausages are made from either white or dark meat, with other ingredients such as salt, pepper, onion, garlic, and other spices added to give them their unique flavor.
Most chicken sausages are smoked over wood or hickory chips to add a delicious smoky flavor.
Lamb Sausages
Lamb sausages are a popular type of sausage that is made from the meat of lamb. They can be made from any part of the lamb, but the most common type is made from the shoulder.
The meat is minced and then mixed with spices, such as garlic, salt, and pepper. Then it is formed into small rounds and smoked over wood chips or hickory logs.
Quail Sausages
Most sausages are pork, but a few use other meats such as duck, rabbit, or quail. Quail is a particularly popular choice for sausage because it has a delicate and mild flavor that pairs well with many sauces. Quail is so popular that some companies butcher their quails!
The main ingredients in a quail sausage are usually pork and fat. The fat binds the meat together and gives it some texture, while the pork provides flavor and moisture. Some common spices used in quail sausages include allspice, thyme, and cinnamon.
Duck or Goose Sausages
Duck or Goose sausages are a type of sausage that is made from the flesh of a duck or goose. These sausages are usually made from pork but can also be made from other meats.
Duck or goose sausages are usually very lean and can be used in various dishes.
Rabbit Sausages
Rabbit sausages are made from ground rabbit meat, salt, sugar, spices, and eggs. They are often eaten as a snack or as part of a meal.
Squab (Pigeon)
A squab is a bird that is typically raised for its meat. It is a domesticated bird and usually has a higher price point than other poultry.
Squab meat can be used in many dishes, but it is most commonly used in dishes like pigeon pie or squab salad. The main component of squab meat is the breast, which contains a high amount of fat.
Mix and Match Sausages
Regarding sausage, various types and flavors can be mixed and matched. Some sausages contain beef, pork, poultry, or even seafood.
The ingredients used in these sausages vary greatly, so it’s important to read the labels! For example, a bacon-wrapped sausage might contain bacon as the main ingredient, while a chicken sausage might include chicken as its main ingredient.
Sausage Casings
What is chicken sausage casing made of?
It is made of either pork or beef. The casing is stuffed with ground chicken, pork, or beef and then tied into a knot. You might see chicken sausage casing referred to as chicken liver sausage casing because that is the main component.
What is summer sausage casing made of?
It is made of pork and beef. It’s usually a mixture of both, with some spices added to give it flavor. People like to use it to make sausage patties, for example.
What is vegan sausage casing made of?
People made it using soy meat or textured vegetable protein. You don’t have to worry about any animal products being in it.