The word homemade sounds tasty. It makes us think of well seasoned, carefully made food. Homemade sausage surely stimulates such thoughts, and making sausage is easier than you might assume. Especially with the following tips on how to make sausage from your local butchers at Sherman Provision in Norton, Ohio. The meat market of choice for people in Fairlawn, Ohio and restaurants in Barberton, Ohio and Wadsworth, Ohio offers advice as good as its products!

Of course you’ll need a meat grinder which could be a standalone model or an attachment for your existing food processor. If you intend to case your sausage, you’ll also need a sausage stuffer and casing. Surprised to know that casing is optional? Well, read on and learn how to make sausage for your family in Fairlawn or your customers in Barberton or Wadsworth with or without it! But first, let’s add fresh, quality meats to your supply list and complete it with salt, spices, herbs, and fat.

Now, now healthy eaters, let’s not get up in arms because your local butchers said fat. It’s necessary to provide a balance and stop your sausage from drying out beyond repair when you cook it. Your entire mixture should be 80 percent meat and 20 percent fat at a minimum, and enhanced with salt, spices, and herbs to taste. That 80/20 ratio should be familiar as it’s the standard ratio of lean ground beef at the meat market in Norton and grocery stores.

With your moisture balancing ratio intact, place everything in the fridge or freezer because it all needs to be cold. Thirty-two degrees is ideal. Then, put your ingredients in a large bowl that’s also cold, and season to your heart’s delight. Do sprinkle some salt, and do consider spices and herbs that you like. Cumin, thyme, peppercorns, and paprika are flavorful additions as are basil, oregano, and cilantro. Your local butchers point out that although recipes are great, personalizing your seasonings embraces the true spirit of making sausage.

Next up is mixing which is best done by hand. Simply combine your sausage ingredients the same way you mix ingredients to make burgers. You want everything everywhere in your bowl so don’t be shy – get your hands in there! Once your bowl contents are comingled, you could head to your meat grinder. But the experts suggest you fry a tiny bit of your mixture and have a taste test first. That way if something is off you can adjust it before making sausage that you don’t like.

Approve your flavor and proceed to your meat grinder. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for machine operation as we’re seeking a beautiful experience, not an unfortunate injury! Your ground product should come out slowly and be placed on a cold cookie sheet. And here is where your optional casing comes in.

You see, the fat in your mixture gives it binding ability which makes casing optional. If you choose to case, the butchers at Sherman Provision recommend 32 mm to 35 mm size natural casing made from sheep, pork, or beef. And with a sausage stuffer, you can make cased links like you see in stores. If you rather let your sausage stand alone, hand roll it into the familiar link shape or patties.

Some tips on how to make sausage with minimal fat and no casing propose parboiling to help things stay together. At your local meat market, however, fresh and natural always win. So they suggest making sausage with a moisture ratio that enables it to hold and be cooked to serve immediately or frozen indefinitely.

Hopefully, this explanation of how to make sausage confirms that it’s easy. To help things flow smoothly, your local butchers suggest laying everything out first. If you’re not sure which spices your family in Fairlawn, Ohio will like, stop by the meat market and consult a butcher. Restaurant owners curious to know which herbs will best impress their customers in Barberton, Ohio or Wadsworth, Ohio can do the same. And as Sherman Provision provides fresh meats and international groceries, you can gather your ingredients during your visit. For details on what’s in stock, visit www.shermanprovision.com or call 330.825.2711.

Sherman Provision
3998 Johnson Road
Norton, Ohio 44203
330.825.2711
www.shermanprovision.com