What Is Ground Sausage? [Answer Revealed]

Whether you’re making breakfast, lunch, or dinner, there’s a good chance that ground sausage will appear. Ground Sausage is popular for its rich flavor and versatility in recipes.

But what is ground sausage?

Ground Sausage is the grinding meat sausage made from pork mixed with salt, pepper, and other spices. It’s a good source of protein, iron, and Vitamin B12 and is low in fat and calories. You can use ground sausages in many dishes – pasta, pizza, lasagna, even as a filling for sandwiches and wraps.

Continue reading to know more about ground sausage – its make, benefit, and nutrition.

What Is Ground Sausage?

Sausage is divine every phase of the day – breakfast, lunch, dinner, or midnight snacks. However, what exactly is ground sausage? Is it the same as breakfast sausage?

Ground sausage is a type of sausage that is made by grinding up the meat. However, ground sausage is commonly made of pork; you can also use different types of meat – beef, chicken, or turkey.

They are highly nutritious to start your day. It can also cook them in various ways, including pan-frying, grilling, and baking.

What are Ground Sausages Made Of?

Most ground sausages contain meat that has been ground up, along with some type of fat and spices. The meat can come from pork, beef, lamb, or other animals.

Some people also like to add vegetables or grains to the mix, which gives the sausage a slightly different flavor and texture.

The most popular choice for ground sausage is pork. If you want to make it at home, you need to grind the meat first. You can use a grinder to make your task easy. It will also help you add and grind spices while grinding the meat.

Ground sausage usually includes meat as the main ingredient with salt. However, you can experiment with the food making it more flavorful and delicious.

You can mix the meat with fat and spices to give it flavor and then formed into sausage links or patties.

Common spices used in ground sausages are pepper, sage, thyme, and fennel seed. Other ingredients, such as bread crumbs, onions, and garlic, can also be added to the mix.

You can also add wine or beer to the sausage mix.

Are Ground Meat And Ground Sausage Same?

Many often get confused if ground meat and ground sausages are the same. If you are a new sausage maker, the confusion is more prominent.

However, these two are not the same.

The main difference between ground meat and ground sausage is that ground sausage often contains spices and additional ingredients like breadcrumbs or oats. Ground meat is just meat that has been ground up.

Making Ground Sausage At Home (Step By Step)

Making ground sausage is not highly challenging if your know the correct method. All you need is a few ingredients and the right equipment.

To make ground sausage at home, you will need-

Making Ground Sausage
Ingredient	Equipment
1 pound ground pork 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon sage 1/4 teaspoon thyme 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed 1/4 cup bread crumbs 1/4 cup onion, chopped One clove of garlic, minced 1/4 cup white wine or beer.	1 large bowl 1 wooden spoon 1 baking sheet 1 piece of cheesecloth Grinder Sausage stuffer (optional).

Now, let’s make delicious ground sausage with these simple steps.

1. Gather your Equipment and Ingredients

First, you’ll need to gather all your equipment and ingredients. That is a pretty simple recipe, so you likely have most of the ingredients on hand already. If not, they can be easily found at your local grocery store.

2. Prepare the Casings

If you’re using natural casings, you’ll need to soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes before starting. It will help to soften them and make them easier to work with.

3. Mix the Ingredients/ Seasonings

Once the casings are soaking, mixing the rest of the ingredients is time. Simply add all ingredients into a large bowl and mix until everything is evenly distributed.

4. Cut and Season the Meat 

Next, you’ll need to cut the meat into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be to grind. You can also use a food processor to do this step if you’d like. Once the meat is in small pieces, season it with salt, pepper, and other spices.

5. Grind the Meat.

You’ll need to crank it until all of the meat has been ground up. Then, if you’re using an electric grinder, simply turn it on and let it do its thing.

6. Fill the Casings

Now it’s time to start filling the casings. This process will be much easier if you’re using a sausage stuffer. Simply attach the stuffer to the end of the casing and start pushing the mixture through.

If you don’t have a sausage stuffer, you can use a wooden spoon to fill the casing carefully. Be careful not to overfill the casings, as they may burst when cooked.

7. Stuff the Sausage

Once the sausage is filled, it’s time to stuff it. It is taking the long sausage tube and twisting and turning it until it forms smaller links.

You can use a sausage stuffer like LEM Products Stainless Steel Vertical Sausage Stuffer to make task quick and easy.

8. Tie Off the Ends

Once the sausage is all stuffed and linked, it’s time to tie off the ends. It will prevent the sausage from falling apart when cooked. 

9. Cook the Sausages 

When you’re ready to cook the sausages, you can use a few different methods. The most popular is simply frying them in a bit of oil over medium-high heat. You can also bake them, grill them, or even boil them.

• To fry the sausage, heat a pan over medium-high heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom. Add the sausage to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown.
• To bake the sausage, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the sausage. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.
• To grill the sausage, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the sausage for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

10. Refrigerate or Freeze

If you plan to cook it within the next day or two, refrigerate it. If you’re not planning on cooking it right away, freeze it. Frozen sausage will keep for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Facts

Ground sausage is highly healthy. However, a thorough nutrition knowledge will motivate you more to make and enjoy it.

Usally, 1 link of ground sausage consists of-

Sausage Safety Recommendations

Making your sausages can be a fun and rewarding experience. Still, it’s important to keep safety in mind while preparing your meal.

• When working with raw meat, it’s important to keep everything clean. For example, wash your hands thoroughly after handling the meat, and clean all your equipment before you start cooking.
• It’s also a good idea to cook the sausage in small batches, so the meat stays cold while you work.
• Once the sausage is cooked, eating it right away or storing it properly is essential. Sausage left out of the fridge for more than two hours should be thrown away, as bacteria can start to grow on the meat.
• If you’re not going to eat the sausage right away, store it in the fridge or freezer.
  

You might be interested to read also our another comprehensive article of: Do You Need to Cook Summer Sausage to Enjoy Its Glorious Flavor?

FAQ’s:

• Is ground sausage the same as ground pork?

Ground pork is made from different parts of the pig. However, ground sausage can be made from pork, beef, lamb, chicken, or any other type of meat. The meat is usually ground up and mixed with fat, spices, and other ingredients.

• What is ground sausage called?

Ground sausage is also known as bulk sausage or loose sausage.

• What is the difference between ground sausage and ground beef?

The biggest difference between ground sausage and ground beef is the fat content. Ground sausage contains a higher percentage of fat than ground beef. Ground beef is also typically leaner than ground sausage.

Take Away

Are you still in a dilemma – what Is ground sausage?

Ground sausage is a type of sausage that is made from ground meat. There are many types of ground sausage, including pork, beef, turkey, lamb, and chicken. Sausage makers often add spices and herbs to the ground meat to enhance the flavor.

Ground sausage can also be smoked or cured. Some people like to fry up some ground sausage for a quick and easy meal. Others prefer to cook it in a sauce or a casserole dish. Whatever your preference, there’s no doubt that ground sausage makes a delicious addition to any meal.