Pickled Sausage Recipe

Tangy Homemade Pickled Sausage Recipe for Zesty Snacking

Crafting a delightful pickled sausage recipe brings zesty adventure to your kitchen pantry.

Brine-soaked meats pack incredible flavor punches that spark curiosity.

Southern traditions inspire these tangy protein snacks perfect for casual gatherings.

Homemade pickling techniques transform ordinary sausages into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Crisp vinegar notes dance alongside robust spice blends that awaken taste buds.

Adventurous cooks appreciate simple techniques that deliver maximum satisfaction.

Dive into this straightforward method and create a memorable treat everyone will love.

Pickled Sausage Recipe Ideas

  • Spicy Jalapeño Kick: Add extra jalapeños or swap with serrano peppers for intense heat lovers seeking a more fiery pickling experience.
  • Low-Sodium Alternative: Replace kosher salt with potassium chloride or reduce salt content by 50% for heart-healthy dietary restrictions.
  • Herb-Infused Version: Incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, or dill into pickling liquid for an aromatic herbal dimension that elevates sausage flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Verify all ingredients are certified gluten-free, ensuring safe consumption for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.

What Goes Best With Pickled Sausage

  • Elevate Pickled Beef Sausages' Dining Experience
  • Pair with Crisp Craft Beer: Select a hoppy IPA or refreshing pilsner to cut through the tangy, spicy pickling flavors, creating a perfect balance of richness and brightness.
  • Serve with Rustic Sourdough: Slice hearty, crusty bread to complement the sausages' robust profile, using it to soak up the zesty pickling liquid and enhance overall taste.
  • Match with Zesty Potato Salad: Prepare a tangy, herb-infused potato salad that echoes the pickled sausages' acidity, providing a cool, creamy counterpoint to the spicy, intense flavors.

Storing Pickled Sausage Safely

  • Store pickled sausages in sealed glass jars in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, ensuring they remain submerged in pickling liquid to maintain flavor and freshness.
  • Transfer sausages with pickling liquid to freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace. Freeze for up to 3 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before consuming.
  • Gently warm sausages in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of pickling liquid to prevent drying. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring between intervals to ensure even heating.
  • Enjoy cold straight from the jar as a tangy appetizer or chop and add to salads, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards for an extra zesty kick.

FAQ For Pickled Sausage

  • Are these pickled sausages spicy?

The pickling solution includes red pepper flakes and optional jalapeños, which provide a mild to moderate heat level that can be adjusted based on personal preference.

  • Can I use different types of sausages?

Yes, you can experiment with various beef or pork sausage varieties, ensuring they are sliced uniformly for consistent pickling and flavor absorption.

  • Do I need special equipment to make these pickled sausages?

No special equipment is required. You’ll just need a non-reactive pot, clean glass jars, and basic kitchen tools like a knife and cutting board.

  • How long will the pickled sausages stay good?

When stored properly in sealed jars in the refrigerator, these pickled sausages will maintain their quality and flavor for up to 2 weeks.

Why Pickled Sausage Has A Tangy Appeal

  • Boost Flavor Intensity: Dive into a culinary adventure with these pickled sausages that pack a punch of tangy, spicy goodness in every bite.
  • Customize Your Kick: Personalize the recipe by adjusting spice levels with optional jalapeños or experimenting with different pepper variations.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Prepare a batch of these versatile pickled sausages that can be stored for weeks, making them perfect for quick snacks or party platters.
  • Simple Preservation Magic: Transform ordinary sausages into a gourmet treat using basic ingredients and a straightforward pickling technique that requires minimal cooking skills.

What’s Inside Pickled Sausage

For the Meat:
  • Beef Sausages: Tender links that will be transformed into flavorful pickled delicacies.
For the Pickling Liquid Base:
  • White Vinegar, Water: Acidic solution that creates the foundation for the tangy pickling process.
  • Kosher Salt: Essential seasoning that helps preserve and enhance the overall flavor profile.
For the Aromatics and Spices:
  • Black Peppercorns, Bay Leaves, Red Pepper Flakes: Spice blend that adds complex depth and subtle heat to the pickling liquid.
  • Onions, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that infuse the sausages with rich, savory undertones.
  • Jalapeño Pepper: Optional ingredient that provides an extra kick of spicy heat for those who enjoy a more intense flavor.

How To Prepare Pickled Sausage

Step 1: Slice Sausages Into Bite-Sized Pieces

Grab your beef sausage links and slice them into uniform segments that will pickle perfectly and make eating easier.

Step 2: Create Pickling Liquid

In a large non-reactive pot, combine:
  • White vinegar
  • Water
  • Kosher salt
  • Black peppercorns
  • Bay leaves
  • Red pepper flakes

Whisk these ingredients together to craft a flavorful pickling base.

Step 3: Add Aromatic Ingredients

Mix in:
  • Sliced onions
  • Minced garlic
  • Optional jalapeño peppers

These ingredients will add incredible depth and zesty notes to your pickling solution.

Step 4: Bring Liquid to Boil

Heat the mixture over medium-high temperature, stirring occasionally to ensure salt dissolves completely and ingredients blend smoothly.

Step 5: Simmer Pickling Solution

Reduce heat and let the liquid simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to mingle and develop rich complexity.

Step 6: Submerge Sausages

Carefully add sliced sausages into the hot pickling liquid, making sure they are completely covered for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 7: Cool Naturally

Remove pot from heat and let sausages rest in the pickling solution, allowing them to marinate and develop tangy characteristics.

Step 8: Transfer to Jars

Carefully move sausages and pickling liquid into clean, sterilized glass jars. Distribute onions, garlic, and optional jalapeños evenly throughout.

Step 9: Refrigerate and Marinate

Seal jars tightly and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving. This waiting period allows sausages to soak up all the delicious flavors.

Step 10: Enjoy and Store

Consume pickled sausages within 2 weeks for best taste and texture. Keep refrigerated to maintain quality and ensure food safety.

Tips For Making Pickled Sausage

  • Slice with Precision: Cut sausages into uniform bite-sized pieces for even pickling and consistent flavor distribution.
  • Vinegar Magic: Use white vinegar to create a tangy, complex pickling liquid that enhances the sausages' natural taste.
  • Aromatic Boost: Add sliced onions, minced garlic, and optional jalapeños to infuse extra depth and spicy undertones into the pickling solution.
  • Temperature Control: Gently simmer the pickling mixture to help ingredients blend smoothly and salt dissolve completely.
  • Patience Pays Off: Allow sausages to cool and marinate in the pickling liquid for at least 24 hours to develop rich, zesty flavors and ensure maximum taste absorption.
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Pickled Sausage Recipe

Pickled Sausage Recipe


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4.6 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 24 hours and 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Spicy pickled sausage delights taste buds with zesty German-inspired flavors, bringing bold vinegary punch to charcuterie boards. Tangy meat treats promise quick snacking pleasure for adventurous palates seeking hearty, robust appetizer experiences.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 2 lbs pickled sausages
  • 1 lb beef sausage links

Pickling Solution:

  • 2 cups white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes

Aromatics and Garnish:

  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Gather all sausages and slice beef links into bite-sized segments for uniform pickling and easier consumption.
  2. In a large non-reactive pot, combine white vinegar, water, kosher salt, black peppercorns, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes, creating a robust pickling liquid with complex flavor profile.
  3. Incorporate sliced onions, minced garlic, and optional jalapeño pepper into the pickling solution, allowing aromatics to infuse depth and intensity.
  4. Bring the pickling mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to ensure salt completely dissolves and ingredients blend harmoniously.
  5. Reduce heat and simmer the solution for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and aromatics to soften and release their essence.
  6. Carefully add pickled and beef sausages to the hot pickling liquid, ensuring they are completely submerged for thorough flavor absorption.
  7. Remove pot from heat and let sausages cool naturally in the pickling solution, allowing them to marinate and develop rich, tangy characteristics.
  8. Transfer sausages and pickling liquid to clean, sterilized glass jars, distributing onions, garlic, and optional jalapeños evenly.
  9. Seal jars tightly and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving, enabling sausages to fully absorb the zesty, aromatic pickling liquid.
  10. Consume within 2 weeks for optimal flavor and texture, storing consistently chilled to maintain quality and food safety.

Notes

  • Slice sausages uniformly to ensure even pickling and consistent flavor absorption throughout each bite.
  • Opt for white vinegar with high acidity to create a sharp, tangy pickling liquid that penetrates the meat effectively.
  • Add extra red pepper flakes for heat lovers or reduce them for a milder version, allowing customization based on personal spice preferences.
  • Consider using different protein options like turkey or chicken sausages for a leaner alternative that still maintains the signature pickled taste.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Pickling
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 3 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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