What Is Summer Sausage?
Summer sausage is a type of cured meat that was developed in Europe prior to refrigeration technology. Using several types of preservation methods at once allowed people to make a sausage that would keep from spoiling without refrigeration “in the summer months.”
Hence the name, summer sausage.
There are many types of summer sausages on the market (think salami, pepperoni, and Spanish chorizo), but traditional German-style summer sausage is a bit softer and less dry than these ready-to-eat meats. This is due to the German climate and the fact that the meat didn’t have to have as much water removed in order to stay fresh through the summer.
How Do I Use Summer Sausage?
Summer sausage is perfect for snacking, picnics, and charcuterie boards. It is typically served thinly sliced and pairs well with wine and cheese.
It is also great on sandwiches.
You can also fry it up or toss it in a casserole, but the real beauty of summer sausage is that it’s simple, ready-to-eat, and tastes great at room temperature.
Do I Have to Refrigerate Summer Sausage?
While summer sausage was originally developed to require no refrigeration, these days we know a bit more about food safety and, thankfully, refrigeration is widely available. There are many sausages that are perfectly safe to leave out of your cooler, but be aware that not all summer sausages are created equal and some must be refrigerated to stay fresh.
If you’re not sure whether your sausage needs to be refrigerated, check with the manufacturer. You can also look on the packaging – if it says “Refrigerate after opening,” you’re safe to put it in the pantry until you’re ready to use it. If it says “Needs refrigeration,” toss it in your fridge. You can also think about where in your grocery store you purchased the item. If you grabbed a snack at the checkout stand it’s probably shelf-stable, but if you found it in the refrigerated case it probably needs to stay cool.
About Hempler’s Summer Sausage
Hempler’s makes two varieties of summer sausage that are available year-round – not just summer, as the name may imply. Our traditional summer sausage is made with a mix of beef and pork, and we also offer an all-beef variety. Both are gluten-free and contain no MSG.
Our summer sausages are fully cooked and need no refrigeration until after they are sliced, making them a perfect food to take on your holiday picnics, hiking adventures, or camping trips. Or just use them for a quick & easy dinner!
See where you can find them here, and if your local store doesn’t carry them, ask a manager to add it to their inventory!
Do you love summer sausage? How do you prefer to enjoy it?
FAQs
The perfect snack and party food, paired with your favorite crackers and cheese. Uniquely crafted from all beef with our proprietary blend of natural spices, for a rich flavor and superb texture and bite. Slowly smoked over natural hardwoods and cured the old fashioned way.
How are you supposed to eat summer sausage? ›
It is typically served thinly sliced and pairs well with wine and cheese. It is also great on sandwiches. You can also fry it up or toss it in a casserole, but the real beauty of summer sausage is that it's simple, ready-to-eat, and tastes great at room temperature.
How to cook Hempler's sausage? ›
Sausage Links: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add sausage links and cook for 12-16 minutes, turning often, until sausages are browned on all sides and completely cooked through to a minimum temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer.
Does summer sausage need to be refrigerated after opening? ›
Does summer sausage need to be refrigerated? Yes, contrary to many beliefs, summer sausage does need to be refrigerated, particularly after opening. It's true that “summer sausage” was developed as a product that could be kept without refrigeration, even in the summer.
Does summer sausage taste good cooked? ›
And who says you can't cook summer sausage? To make a savory summer sausage casserole, just add a handful of diced summer sausage to your favorite mac and cheese recipe. Or, since it's “Summer” sausage, try it on the grill.
Is summer sausage safe to eat without cooking? ›
Yes, you can safely enjoy summer sausage without cooking or refrigeration. It's typically served thinly sliced on its own or alongside accouterments such as cheese. Some Southerners like to make post-holiday sandwiches with summer sausage, or even chop it up and throw it into a casserole.
Can you eat summer sausage by itself? ›
Johnsonville Summer Sausage is perfect for eating all on its own, and you can enjoy it lots of other different ways... sliced on a cracker with cheese, diced in salads, as a tasty hot snack, or as a zesty pizza topping. It's also great sliced and eaten in sandwiches!
How do you cook sausage so it's not tough? ›
By steaming the sausages before grilling in a pan, you can preserve as much moisture resulting in juicier sausages. Use a steamer pot, fill up the bottom with about 2cm of water, turn on the heat, then cover. Once the water boils, you can start steaming. Steam the sausage for about 15 mins.
How long is Hempler's bacon good for? ›
Bacon should be refrigerated before cooking, and leftovers should be refrigerated and consumed within three days. Chicken Skewers: Our chicken skewers are raw and must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before consuming. Leftovers should be refrigerated and consumed within three days.
How to tell when summer sausage is bad? ›
As it ages, moisture is lost, sausage gets harder, and flavor intensifies. Proper storage, safe thawing methods, and prompt usage will eliminate most sources of sausage spoilage. If, in spite of proper handling, sausage looks or smells spoiled, use common sense and discard.
Let the sausage rest overnight in your fridge so the flavors can mingle. The next day, you'll want to cook in either the oven or smoker. For an oven finish, preheat the oven to 185°F. Place room temperature sausage in the oven and bake until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can I eat summer sausage that was left out overnight? ›
All sausage — except dry sausage — is perishable and therefore must be kept refrigerated.
What do you eat with summer sausage? ›
Summer sausage is delicious all year round. Whether eating it on a charcuterie platter, straight from one of those holiday gift baskets or in your favorite pasta dish, casserole, pizza or salad; it's a delicious savory treat loved by all.
Does summer sausage taste good on pizza? ›
Turns out that that Alderspring summer sausage isn't just for snacks or lunch on the go: it's actually great for breakfast with eggs and hash-browns (as cowboy Josh served it here at Alderspring) or even on a pizza (we used it this way for in a pepperoni pizza recipe for Glenn's birthday dinner last week)!
Do you add water to summer sausage? ›
Dissolve the culture in 1 cup of water and pour over the meat. Sprinkle in the jalapeno summer sausage seasoning, maple cure. Dextrose and remaining water. Add in the high temp cheese and mix until just incorporated.
Are you supposed to eat the casing on summer sausage? ›
Summer sausage is in every grocery store in the midwest.
The sausage is a deep rosy pink with small white flecks of fat. It almost always comes wrapped in a waxy, maroon casing. It's a fibrous, papery material that you can't eat, so you peel it away as you cut off slices.
How to warm up summer sausage? ›
You can heat them up in water but do not boil them. If you boil them they will split and become waterlogged. Heat the water to a boil, turn it off and let it sit for a few minutes. Then add the cold sausages to the water and wait 5 or 10 minutes for the sausages to heat up.
