Quick Answer
For beginners, some of the best wild game sausages to make include venison summer sausage, elk snack sticks, and whitetail deer breakfast sausage. These recipes are relatively easy to follow and require minimal ingredients.
Choosing the Right Game and Casings
When selecting wild game for sausage making, look for lean cuts of meat such as loin, tenderloin, or round. These cuts will produce a leaner sausage that’s perfect for summer sausage or snack sticks. For beginners, it’s recommended to start with smaller game such as rabbits or squirrels, as their meat is naturally leaner and easier to process.
When it comes to casings, natural hog casings are a popular choice for wild game sausage making. They’re relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes, making them perfect for beginners. To stuff the casings, use a meat grinder or sausage stuffer with a 3/4-inch or 1-inch die, depending on the desired size of your sausage.
Seasoning and Fat Ratios
When seasoning your wild game sausage, start with a basic seasoning blend that includes salt, black pepper, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. For a more complex flavor, add some smoked paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder to the mix. When it comes to fat ratios, aim for a mix of 25% fat to 75% lean meat. This will produce a sausage that’s both flavorful and relatively low in fat.
Tips for Making Snack Sticks and Summer Sausage
To make snack sticks, use a higher fat ratio of around 30% to 40% and add some sugar to the seasoning blend to balance out the flavor. For summer sausage, use a combination of pork and wild game, such as 50/50 or 75/25 pork to wild game. This will produce a sausage that’s both flavorful and has a good balance of fat and lean meat. When making snack sticks or summer sausage, always use a thermometer to ensure the sausage reaches a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
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