Summer sausages have long been a staple of backyard barbecues, picnic baskets, and outdoor feasts. But with a myriad of options available in the market, finding the perfect sausage can sometimes feel like a culinary quest.
Fear not! Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a BBQ newcomer, this list will guide you to the top 8 sausages for 2023, ensuring your BBQ sessions are nothing short of delightful.
1. Old Wisconsin Premium
This sausage is a blend of the finest quality beef, seasoned with a unique blend of spices, and smoked slowly over hardwood fires, which is a treat for your taste buds. It contains a high amount of proteins. Its gluten-free composition and absence of MSG make it a healthier alternative, ensuring you can savor every bite without any guilt.
Features
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Old Wisconsin |
| Diet Type | Gluten-Free |
| Size | 8 Ounce (Pack of 1) |
| Ingredients | Beef, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Lactic Acid Starter Culture, Monosodium Glutamate, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Nitrite. |
| Storage | No refrigeration is required until after opening |
- Made with 100% high-quality beef.
- Gluten-free and contains no MSG.
- Smoked over natural hardwood fires for authentic flavor.
- Great for snacking or as an ingredient in dishes.
- Salty.
- The size might be smaller than expected for the price.
- Lacks the “homemade” taste that some users prefer.
2. Hickory Farms Sausage & Cheese Collection
 I can genuinely attest to this sausage’s delightful flavors. Upon unboxing, I was immediately drawn to the diverse selection of gourmet treats.
The sausage boasted a robust and savory profile, which was beautifully balanced by the creamy cheeses. The sweet and hot mustard provided a tangy contrast. The sea salt caramels and sour cherry candies were the cherry on top!
 It contains:
- 5 ounces of farmhouse summer sausage
- 4 ounces of smooth and sharp blended cheese
- 1.25 ounces of sweet and hot mustard.
- 1 ounce of golden toasted crackers
- Strawberry Bon Bons.
Also, Hickory farms are not only concerned with the quality of their beef but also about the environment so the packaging is environmentally friendly.
Key Features
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hickory Farms |
| Packaging Information | Basket, Box |
| Flavor | Beef, Sweet, Cheddar, Cheese, Strawberry |
| Item Weight | 2.25 Pounds |
| Item Shape | Creamy |
- Ideal for gifting
- Tasty assortment
- Appealing packaging
- Expensive for the content provided.
- Often not available in local stores, necessitating an online purchase for some.
3. LEM Backwoods Cured Kit
The moment this product arrived, I could tell that this was a premium product. The packaging was robust, and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. It contains jerky-making equipment, meat grinders, vacuum sealers, and other needed suppliers for home meat processors.
I decided to mix it with some wild game meat I had in the freezer. The seasoning blend was spot on, giving the meat a rich, savory flavor with just the right amount of kick. The pre-measured cure packet ensured that I got the process right. The end product was some of the best homemade sausages I’ve ever tasted. It was a hit with my family!
Features
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | LEM |
| Product Type | Sausage Seasoning Kit |
| Flavor Name | Bologna |
| Package Weight | 15.2 Ounce |
| Coverage | Seasons up to 20 Pounds of Meat |
- Convenient to use.
- Great taste, reminiscent of spicy summer sausage.
- Suitable for a mix of meats, including deer and pork.
- Beginners friendly.
- The included casings are of good quality.
- Description for the number of casings to be inaccurate.
- The price might be slightly higher when purchased from certain sellers.
4. Stonie’s Summer Sausage With Cheese and Jalapeno
When I first sliced into this product, I was met with an enticing aroma that promised a flavorful experience. And it did not disappoint! The combination of cheese and jalapeno complemented the rich taste of the sausage. Each bite is a perfect blend of smoky, cheesy, and spicy flavors.
Key Features
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Stonie’s |
| Size | 12 Ounce (Pack of 1) |
| Item Weight | 12 Ounces |
| Cuisine | German |
- High protein and low carb, suitable for keto diets.
- Gluten-free, catering to those with dietary restrictions.
- A good amount of smoke flavor.
- Lacking a strong kick.
- The texture is more like salami than summer sausage.
5. Dan the Sausageman’s Smoked Summer Sausage and Wisconsin Cheeses
This package includes roasted garlic red pepper sausage, which has a specialty of sweet N’ hot mustard that is complemented by the cheeses. It is the best add-on to your gift and picnic baskets. It’s evident that a lot of thought and care went into curating this box
Features
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Components | Smoked Summer Sausage and Wisconsin Cheeses |
| Special Feature | Professionally Packaged with Gift Messaging Available |
| Brand | DAN THE SAUSAGEMAN |
| Rating | 4.4 out of 5 stars (based on 900 ratings) |
- High-quality assortment of snacks.
- Flavorful and versatile.
- Ideal as a gift for various occasions
- Some customers found the items a bit small for the price.
- The mustard jar size is quite small.
  6. Klements Summer Sausage
This product is a 100% beef-made sausage that is perfectly seasoned. The texture is firm yet not too hard, making it perfect for slicing and pairing with cheeses or crackers. The hardwood smoking process is evident in every bite, giving it that traditional European taste that I’ve come to love.
Key Features
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Klement’s |
| Product Type | Summer Sausage |
| Flavor | Beef |
| Cuisine | European |
| Specialty | Natural, No MSG Added |
- Authentic European taste
- Enhanced flavor.
- Made with natural spices
- Texture closer to baloney.
- High price for the quantity received.
7. Backwoods low sodium
The first thing that caught my attention was the “Reduced Sodium” label. The seasoning blend was aromatic and flavorful, and it perfectly complemented the meat. I used it on a mix of beef and pork, and the results were outstanding. While I primarily used it for sausages, I found it equally delightful when sprinkled on grilled meats and even in some of my stew recipes.
Features
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | LEM |
| Product Type | Backwoods Reduced Sodium Summer Sausage Seasoning |
| Weight | 20.5 Ounce Packet |
| Usage | Seasons up to 25 Pounds of Meat |
| Special Feature | Pre-Measured Cure Packet Included |
- Perfect for deer sausage.
- Low sodium but still packed with flavor.
- Easy to use with clear instructions.
- Great value for the price.
- Packaging could be improved for better sealing.
- Might be too mild for those who prefer a stronger flavor punch.
Buying Guide
There are a lot of manufacturers, which promise high-quality healthy summer sausages. However, with so many brands coming up in the market, it gets difficult to choose the best summer sausage. When purchasing, you must consider the factors given below:
1. Allergens
Opt for the healthiest low-fat option to avoid unnatural additives. The summer sausages must give you a treat to your taste buds, and they must be safe for your body. Avoid unnatural fillers like Premio and MSG.
Try to purchase summer sausage, which has features like no artificial ingredients, low trans-fat, and free of fillers, and MSG. It should be free from gluten and other kinds of allergies so that all your family can enjoy a healthy meal.
2. Examination
Examine the condition of your sausages. If it has a greyish color or slimy coat, then you probably don’t want to use that kind of summer sausage. Before you use the summer sausage, you might want to smell it.
The healthy uncooked sausages must have a pinkish color and should not have a weird sour smell. You must inspect the product before you place it in your griller.
3. The Casing
Always opt for natural casing. Machine-made summer sausages are made of synthetic skin, which is a lot cheaper but not the best quality. They use the skin that is chewy and tough.
The casing of the product also impacts its fullness. You don’t want your summer sausage to be too filled, as it’s more likely to split while cooking, which will result in the lost flavor. Using natural casing sausage will help you to avoid the problem.
Additional tips
- The cut of your best summer sausage should be dry, even, and smooth, and it should not have veins.
- The casing of the summer sausage must be wrinkled because of the lack of moisture.
- The elastic casing is a sign of too much water.
- The ingredients should contain no more than meat and spices. Shorter the list to better the product.
- The smell of the sausage is not supposed to be strong. If it has a strong fragrance, then the flavor might be added to the summer sausage.
- If you see ingredients that you have never heard of before, then it is advisable to stay away from the summer sausage.
FAQs
What is the best summer sausage brand?
Dan, old Wisconsin, Hickory Farms, and Elements are some of the best and leading brands when it comes to the best summer sausage.
Why is it called “summer sausage”?
It’s because it was traditionally made during the summer months when the weather was warm and the conditions were ideal for preserving meat. Before modern refrigeration techniques, it was common for farmers and butchers to make large batches of sausage in the summer to preserve the meat and ensure a supply of protein throughout the year.
What is the difference between summer sausage and beef summer sausage?
Summer sausage and beef summer sausage are both types of cured sausage, but the main difference between the two is the type of meat that is used.
Summer sausage is typically made from a combination of beef and pork, while beef summer sausage is made exclusively from beef. This difference in meat can result in a slightly different flavor and texture between the two types of sausage.
Another difference between summer sausage and beef summer sausage is the seasoning and spices that are used in each. While both types of sausage may include similar ingredients such as garlic, pepper, and mustard seeds, the specific blend of spices and seasonings can vary depending on the recipe and the individual producer.
Can I eat summer sausage raw?
No, it is not recommended to do so as it is a type of cured sausage that is typically made from a combination of beef and pork, and it may also contain other ingredients such as spices and seasonings. While summer sausage is technically safe to eat without cooking, it is generally recommended to cook it before consuming it to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Cooking summer sausage can help to kill any harmful bacteria or pathogens that may be present in the meat, such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Listeria. It is recommended to cook summer sausage to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) before consuming. You can cook summer sausage by grilling, baking, or frying it.
Can summer sausage be fried?
Yes, it can be fried, baked, and smoked according to your preference.
Summary
Finding the right sausage for your BBQ can make all the difference. With so many options, it’s essential to choose one that’s both flavorful and healthy.
The sausages covered above not only boast exceptional taste but also exhibit the perfect balance of seasoning, texture, and juiciness. Whether you’re planning a backyard bash or a quiet evening on the patio, adding any of these top contenders to your grill will undeniably elevate the experience.
So, fire up those barbecues, invite some friends, and enjoy. Cheers to a season filled with flavor, fun, and unforgettable BBQ memories!
