Venison Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage

Introduction

Venison Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage is a tasty treat that mixes the rich flavor of venison with spicy jalapeños and creamy cheddar cheese. It’s perfect for summer picnics, gatherings, or just as a snack.

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is great because it brings together unique flavors and is easy to make at home. If you enjoy making your own sausages, this one is a delicious way to use venison and add a bit of kick with jalapeños. Plus, it’s a fun project to share with family and friends!

How to Make Venison Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage

Ingredients:

5 lbs ground venison

1 lb ground pork (optional, for added fat)

1 1⁄2 cups high-temp cheddar cheese, diced

4-6 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped

1/4 cup crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for heat preference)

2 tbsp garlic powder

2 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp smoked paprika

1 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp salt

1 tsp curing salt (if making cured sausage)

Directions:

If using ground pork, mix it with the ground venison in a large bowl. This adds moisture and fat to the sausage.

Add the diced high-temp cheddar cheese and finely chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture.

In a smaller bowl, combine all the dry spices: crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and curing salt. Mix well.

Sprinkle the spice mixture over the meat and cheese mixture, and mix thoroughly until everything is well combined.

Stuff the mixture into sausage casings or shape into logs, depending on what you prefer.

Refrigerate the sausage for at least 24 hours to let the flavors mix.

Preheat your smoker to 170°F (77°C) and smoke the sausages for 2-3 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

After smoking, take the sausages out and let them cool before slicing and serving.

How to Serve Venison Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage

You can serve this summer sausage sliced as an appetizer with crackers and cheese. It also goes great on sandwiches or as a topping on salads!

How to Store Venison Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage

Store the sausage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze it for several months. Just make sure to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn.

Tips to Make Venison Jalapeño Cheddar Summer Sausage

Make sure to wear gloves while handling the jalapeños to avoid irritation.

Use high-temp cheddar cheese so it doesn’t melt completely when cooking.

Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes based on how spicy you want the sausage.

Variation (If Any)

You can add other spices like coriander or mustard seeds for different flavors. You can also replace jalapeños with other peppers if you prefer different heat levels.