This elegant sausage highlights and complements the flavor of venison with juniper berries, rosemary, wine and brandy.
Many venison sausage recipes almost seem to apologize for the venison — either masking it with heavy spices or shoehorning it into recipes designed around other meats.
But venison does taste different than beef or pork. If it was cared for properly from the time it hit the ground to the time it hit the plate, it needs no apology — and deserves its own recipe.
Many venison sausage recipes almost seem to apologize for the venison — either masking it with heavy spices or shoehorning it into recipes designed around other meats.
But venison does taste different than beef or pork. If it was cared for properly from the time it hit the ground to the time it hit the plate, it needs no apology — and deserves its own recipe.
>> Hover here for the “skinny” on fat… <<
Game sausage recipes always include added fat, usually pork. They use words like “shoulder trimmings” or “butt” or just “fat”.
The noble pig sports several types:
Cost can vary all over the place – from free or close to it, to those who will charge as if it was loin. More than 1$/lb seems excessive, though in areas where deer hunting is common prices tend to go up after the deer season while everybody gets the sausage making bug. I’ve sometimes seen pork butt trimmings cost more than pork butt, a reflection of supply and demand. It pays to shop.
The noble pig sports several types:
- FatBack: (a.k.a. back fat) The hard fat found on the back of the pig. With a high melting point It is exceptionally well suited for sausage. It sometimes comes skin-on, in which case be sure to remove the skin.
- Jowl fat: Prized by fancy artisinal sausage makers for it’s more creamy texture.
- Shoulder Butt: (a.k.a. Boston butt, shoulder) A roast heavily marbled with excellent fat for sausage. The butt is the most common fat specified in game recipes. Keep in mind a whole butt is about 30% fat, 70% lean. Butt trimmings are much higher in fat percentage, up to 90% depending on who did the trimming. So there is a huge difference and they are not interchangeable in a sausage recipe.
- Belly Fat: (a.k.a pork belly, where bacon comes from) A soft fat with a low melting point. Some recipes call for it, but some sources consider it unsuited for sausage. Probably best not to use belly fat or bacon unless the recipe calls for it or you’re experimenting on purpose.
- Kidney Fat: (a.k.a. leaf lard) A hard intestinal fat concentrated around the kidneys. Possibly too hard for sausage, but it makes the flakiest pastries and the best lard.
Cost can vary all over the place – from free or close to it, to those who will charge as if it was loin. More than 1$/lb seems excessive, though in areas where deer hunting is common prices tend to go up after the deer season while everybody gets the sausage making bug. I’ve sometimes seen pork butt trimmings cost more than pork butt, a reflection of supply and demand. It pays to shop.
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lbs
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Ingredients
- 6.5 lbs venison
- 1 lb fatty trim from pork butt
- 1 lb Fatback - Be sure to trim off any skin.
- 1.5 lb bacon - Optional. If skipping, increase pork butt.
- .5 cup dry red wine
- .33 cup brandy
- 2 tsp fresh ground black pepper - Coarse
- 2 tbsp minced juniper berries
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp minced shallot
Rosemary (pick 1 - fresh is best )
- 1 tbsp Fresh rosemary - Finely Minced
- .5 tbsp dried rosemary - Rubbed or freshy ground
Salt (pick ONLY 1 - by weight is best)
- 55 grams any salt - by weight
- 2 ounces any salt - by wieght
- 4 tbsp Morton Kosher Salt - by volume
- 3 tbsp Table salt or Cannning/pickling salt - by volume
Ingredients
Rosemary (pick 1 - fresh is best )
Salt (pick ONLY 1 - by weight is best)
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Instructions
- Cut meat and fat into sizes appropriate for the grinder
- Mix meat with all ingredients and refrigerate overnight
- Grind through 6.5mm plate (1/4") and add any juices from the overnight container.
- Mix thoroughly
Stuffed
- stuff into medium hog casings (bratwurst size, about 32mm)
- Dry overnight in refrigerator. Use within three days, or freeze. Longest freezer life attained by freezing first, then vacuum sealing. Prick bag before thawing.
Alternative to stuffing
- Form in to patties to fry or grill, or save as bulk fresh sausage for use in recipes you think would benefit from this unique blend.
Recipe Notes
The bacon adds a subtle smoky/cured note. If smoke is not desired, substitute a like weight of salt pork.
If neither the smoke nor cured note are desired, substitute a like weight of pork butt.
View online at KillerNoms.com/venisonsausage
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As always it depends on the sausage but I personally find that beer and cider are just as good partners as wine.