How To Make Italian Sausage Without A Machine. Really! | Ciao Italia (2024)

My outdoor grill has been begging me to light her fire after a long hibernation in the garage, and I can think of no better way to kick off the grilling season than with some homemade Italian sausage!

I know what you’re thinking. That’s great for anyone with a sausage making machine. But no! You don’t need a meat grinder and loads of other equipment to do this. All you need is a good pair of hands, a good recipe, a good pork butt, and a funnel.

So if you want to try your hand at making it, here is what you need to do.

Get a good pork butt, one that has a good ratio of fat to meat, otherwise the sausage will be dry. Go to your favorite market and ask the butcher to show you a bunch of pork butts; they usually weigh in the five pound range. Then ask him to coarse grind the one you choose.

Next, buy a box of natural hog casings. They are usually in the meat case and come packed in salt, but if you don’t see them, ask your butcher. You will have to rinse them well several times in cold water to get rid of the salt and you may need to cut them into manageable lengths with scissors because they can be very long. (You can store unused casings in the freezer.)

Once you’ve gotten these two items, you’re ready to make sausage.

First, make sure you have ready some fine sea salt, coarse black pepper, fennel seeds, and hot red pepper flakes.

Put the meat in a big bowl and season it with:

1 1/2 tablespoons salt,
1 teaspoon black pepper,
4 tablespoons fennel seeds,
As much hot red pepper flakes as you like/can handle.

Make sure to mix everything well with clean hands. Then make sure you take an extra moment to fry up a spoonful in a pan to be sure you like the flavor. Add more seasonings if you need to.

Next, slip one open end of a casing over your kitchen faucet and turn on the cold water. Allow the water to run through the casing. This will make it easy to slip over the end of the funnel. Place the open end of the casing over the nozzle part of the funnel and push most of the casing up onto the nozzle, but leave about a two inch tail and knot it.

How To Make Italian Sausage Without A Machine. Really! | Ciao Italia (1)Start taking small amounts of the sausage and push it with your thumb into the mouth of the funnel and into the casing. Do not overfill it or it may break. Fill the casing evenly but leave about 2 inches of the casing remaining at the top unfilled. Slip the casing off the funnel and knot the end. Use a toothpick to poke little holes here and there along the sausage. This will prevent the sausage from exploding when cooking. Continue making sausages until you has as much as you’d like.

How To Make Italian Sausage Without A Machine. Really! | Ciao Italia (2) I like to leave it in long lengths but if you want to make links, just twist the casing every 3 or 4 inches as you fill it. Coil the sausage and place it in freezer bags, or better yet, cryovac them and freeze for up to 6 months.

But you could just head right to the grill and when it is hot, throw on your homemade sausage. One taste and you’ll know that homemade Italian sausage rules! Happy Grilling!

How To Make Italian Sausage Without A Machine. Really! | Ciao Italia (3)

How To Make Italian Sausage Without A Machine.  Really! | Ciao Italia (2024)

FAQs

How to make sausage without a machine? ›

You can make sausage without a meat grinder or stuffing machine by mincing and mixing your ingredients well and then using a sausage stuffing funnel, just like they've done all through history.

What makes an Italian sausage and Italian sausage? ›

In North America, Italian sausage (Italian: salsiccia, Italian: [salˈsittʃa]) most often refers to a style of pork sausage. The sausage is often noted for being seasoned with fennel or anise as the primary seasoning.

What is sausage made of in Italy? ›

Italy. Italian sausages (salsiccia – plural salsicce) are often made of pure pork. Sometimes they may contain beef.

Can I make sausage without a grinder? ›

You don't need a meat grinder and loads of other equipment to do this. All you need is a good pair of hands, a good recipe, a good pork butt, and a funnel.

Is it cheaper to make your own sausage? ›

Cost effective

While the convenience of store brought sausages may be appealing, they are often times quite expensive. The act of taking the time to make your own sausages at home can allow you to save money.

Is it better to boil or grill Italian sausage? ›

Non-emulsified sausages with a coarser texture—like sweet or spicy Italian sausages, for example—also fare well on the grill. You'll often find those raw, so the cooking responsibility lies on you. Grilling makes for a snappy bite and depth of flavor.

Is sausage better in oven or stove? ›

Is it better to cook sausages in the oven? If you're looking for an easy, healthier way to cook sausages, baking them in a large baking dish is the way to go. It requires no additional oil and still achieves a lovely crispy skin and juicy, tender meat.

How to make Johnsonville Italian sausage? ›

Thaw product prior to cooking. Preheat grill to medium-low. Add sausage. Cook, covered, for 15-20 minutes until sausage is browned and the internal temperature is 160°F, turning links often.

Why does Italian sausage taste different? ›

The main difference in Italian sausage when compared to other sausages is the seasoning. The particular ingredient that usually sets Italian sausage apart is fennel. This is a licorice scented herb that gives Italian sausage its unique taste that is different than other types of sausage.

What is the distinctive flavor in Italian sausage? ›

Fennel is the spice that gives Italian sausage its Italian flavor. Often the fennel is a mixture of whole or cracked fennel seed and ground fennel. The whole or cracked fennel seed will help to give good visibility to the spice while the ground fennel will contribute a very distinctive fennel flavor.

What is the white stuff in Italian sausage? ›

It is a penicillin-based mold similar to the white mold you will find on a fine cheese like a French Brie or Camembert. It's a natural part of the fermentation process of producing artisanal salumi, and the salami mold has its own flavor and flora.

Does all Italian sausage have fennel? ›

Italian sausage, as it's referred to in the United States, is most often a pork sausage that is made with fennel seed or anise. It packs a ton of flavor, and can be seasoned with fresh or dry herbs. It's the usual type of sausage that you'll find in most pasta sauces, as a pizza topping, etc.

Does Italian sausage have cinnamon in it? ›

Another example is sausage from Salento: short and wide and made with lean cuts of pork and beef along with salt, black pepper, lemon zest, dry white wine and in some cases cloves, cinnamon and parsley.

What is the simplest method of cooking sausages? ›

Oven Baking: This is one of the simplest ways to cook a sausage, just beware they don't overcook them and they dry out. Just place on a baking tray with a little oil and cook for 15-20 mins at 170 C, turning once or twice to make sure they brown evenly.

How to make sausages without a grill? ›

• 4 pork sausages
  1. Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, then add the sausages. ...
  2. Keep cooking for 15-20 mins, moving them around in the pan and turning them over regularly so they all cook evenly.
  3. The sausages are ready when the outside is a deep golden brown and the inside is pale, with no pink meat.
Mar 10, 2022

What basic equipment is needed for making sausage? ›

Preparation & Necessary Equipment

Large counter or cutting table. Meat Grinder. Sausage Stuffer and Tubes. Meat Lugs (Storage Containers)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 5423

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.