Elk sausage is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional pork sausages. It’s leaner, less fatty, and perfect for those looking to switch up their meat options. In this article, we will guide you through the process of cooking elk sausage from purchasing to serving. You’ll learn how to handle it properly, various cooking methods, and fun recipe ideas that will make your taste buds dance.
Purchasing Elk Sausages
When purchasing elk sausages, there are several factors you should consider:
Quality
Choose an elk sausage that uses high-quality ingredients such as grass-fed elk meat and natural spices. Look for those with minimal preservatives and fillers.
Freshness
Ensure that the elk sausages are fresh by checking the expiration date or making sure they appear firm and have no discoloring.
Flavor Variations
Consider trying out different flavors of elk sausages such as honey garlic or spicy jalapeno for an exciting twist on traditional sausage.
Where to buy them
You can purchase elk sausages at specialty meat markets or online meat stores. Check if local farmers’ markets or organic groceries near your location.
Preparing Elk Sausage for Cooking
Before cooking elk sausages, it’s important to handle them carefully:
Thawing frozen elk sausage
If using frozen elk sausage, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight rather than letting them sit at room temperature. This ensures that they defrost evenly without spoiling.
Cleaning casing, if any
Some types of elk sausages come in casings which need removing before cooking. To remove the casing quickly and easily run it under warm water before skinning it off delicately.
Methods of Cooking Elk Sausage
There are several ways to cook elk sausages depending on your preferences:
Grilling
Grilling is a popular cooking method for sausage lovers. To grill elk sausages, begin by preheating the grill to medium heat. Next, coat the elk sausages in oil to prevent sticking and place them on the preheated grill grates. Cook for around 10-15 minutes depending on thickness and flip over halfway through cooking.
Smoking
Smoked elk sausages deliver a smoky flavor that is oh-so-delicious! To smoke them, start by heating up your smoker to a temperature of between 180 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the desired amount of elk sausages in the smoker and keep checking it until it reaches your preferred internal temperature. Typically, it takes about 2 hours in a smoker before the internal temperature hits around 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stovetop and oven methods
Elk sausage can also be cooked using stovetop or oven methods such as frying or baking:
Frying
To fry elk sausage, heat up a large skillet with some oil over medium heat. Once hot enough, add elk sausage and cook until golden brown on all sides while turning regularly.
Baking
To bake elk sausage, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit first. Wrap individual portions of sausage in foil or place them in an oven safe dish then let them cook for approximately 30-35 minutes or until they reach your desired internal temperature.
Recipe Ideas with Elk Sausage
Elk sausage can be used as a staple ingredient across various recipes in different dishes such as:
Breakfast Recipes
Try these breakfast options with elk sausages:
- Elk Sausage Breakfast Burrito – Eggs/veggies/meat/salsa wrapped in tortilla.
- Elk Sausage Omelette – A classic breakfast omelet filled with spinach, onions and shedded smoked Cheddar cheese.
- Elk sausage and Potato Casserole – hearty breakfast meal combining elk sausage and potatoes.
Traditional recipes
Elk sausages can be included in a wide variety of traditional dishes such as:
Jambalaya with elk sausage
This cajun inspired rice dish is filled with shrimp, chicken, and our star; elk sausage.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of Elk Sausage
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 green bell peppers chopped
- 2 medium onion diced.
- One cup of long grain rice
- Cayenne pepper
Directions:
Begin by cooking up the elk sausages in a skillet. Remove them from heat to give yourself more space to now cook in. Add the onions, garlic along with green bell pepper into the same skillet and let simmer for about five minutes stirring occasionally until soft. Transfer this cooked mixture into your instant pot or slow cooker; adding remaining ingredients your seasoning ensemble along with rice. Cook on ‘high’ heat between four – six hours making sure everything cooks through evenly.
Elk sausage gravy biscuits
Hearty recipe that’s perfect for those cozy evenings at home
Ingredients:
For Biscuits
-Pork sausages (casings removed) -Ground cinnamon, allspice, whole coriander seeds -All-purpose flour -Sugar -Salt
For Gravy:
-Minced onion -Finely chopped mushrooms -Brown sugar -Chopped spinach leaves -Milk and heavy cream mixture
Directions:
BISCUIT PREP: Mix dry ingredients (spices,sugar, salt ) together first then blend in the pork sausages patties until well blended to form dough-like texture. Roll out dough and using a biscuit cutter or rounded cookie cutter cut out small circles then bake in oven.
GRAVY PREP: begin by cooking the minced onions and mushrooms with a large quantity of salt until dark and caramelized. Now time to add in Brown sugar and Chopped spinach leaves, cooking about 1-2 minutes before pouring a mixture of the milk and heavy cream into your skillet; making sure not to scrape up any cooked-on bits from earlier (this helps bring out extra flavor). Crumble up your Elk Sausage and pour that into the gravy.
Serve hot over the baked biscuits.
Tips for Serving The Perfect Meal with Elk Sausages
Want to add an elegant touch when serving elk sausages? Consider these helpful tips below:
Best side dishes that complement Elk sausage meals
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Grilled zucchini & squash rounds
- Apple-Fennel slaw
Delicious Sauces to go with the dishes
- Pesto sauce alongside some garlic aioli
- Bourbon mustard sauce paired with Rosemary red wine glaze
- Dijon honey mustard
Food presentation techniques
Elevate your presentation game by arranging elk sausage on a bed of green beans or arugula. Make use of decorative dishware like serving platters or wooden boards for greater visual appeal.
Conclusion/Acknowledgements
In conclusion, elk sausage is a delicious meat alternative that can be cooked in many ways ranging from grilling, smoking, frying baking. It’s essential to handle it carefully so that we maintain its taste quality while cooking it since it’s bound by lower fat content than other common meats. Elk Sausage also provides an excellent range of traditional meals such as Jambalaya with elk sausage and more unique breakfast options.
We hope this guide has proven insightful enough to equip you with skills needed when preparing your own delicacies made using elk sausage at home! Thank you for reading.
Q&A
- Q: What type of elk sausage should I buy for cooking? A: There are different types of elk sausage available to buy, such as summer sausage, smoked sausage, or breakfast sausage. It depends on your preference and the recipe you want to use.
- Q: What seasoning goes well with elk sausage? A: Elk meat is lean and has a rich flavor that can pair well with various spices like garlic, onion, paprika, coriander, and black pepper. You can also add herbs like thyme or rosemary to enhance the taste.
- Q: How should I cook elk sausage? A: Elk sausages can be grilled, roasted, fried or boiled depending on your liking or the recipe you prefer. Make sure to cook it thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.
- Q: Any tips for storing leftover elk sausage? A: If you have leftover cooked elk sausages, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze them for longer storage by wrapping tightly with plastic wrap or putting them in freezer bags. Thaw frozen sausages overnight in the fridge before reheating them.
