Texas Hot Links in Alberta (My First Sausage)

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dukeburger

Master of the Pit
Original poster
OTBS Member
Oct 4, 2009
1,919
704
Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Having recieved several Cabela's gift cards for Christmas, I decided to take advantage of the boxing week sales. I picked up te Weston #5 500watt meat grinder for 50% off and put it to work right away for some Texas Hot Links.

I started with a 4lb picnic shoulder and 1lb 70/30 ground beef. After trimming the picnic shoulder, it came out to 4 pounds, so I added 1lb of pork loin to get the 5lbs for Willie's recipe. I modified Willies recipe slightly as follows:

4lbs pork

1lb beef

12 ounce Bud

2 Tbl black pepper

2 Tbl crushed red pepper (pizza pepper)

1 Tbl cayenne*

1 Tbl chipotle powder*

1 Tbl paprika*

1 Tbl smoked paprika*

3 Tbl coarse salt

2 Tbl mustard seeds

¼ cup garlic, minced

7 1/2 tsp Morton Tender Quick (The correct amount for 5lbs ground meat)*

1 tsp ground coriander

I used a 32mm collagen casing and tied these links with butcher's twine.

Smoked in my Big Chief with whiskey chips, slowly raising the temp by adding layers of insulation until IT of all links were above 165*F.



The new toy.. er.. tool.


Added the pork loin chunks after weighing trimmed picnic meat


The slurry


Initial coarse grind of pork


The second finer grind of seasoned pork with the beef


Fry test...


Delicious!!!!!


The next day was stuffing and smoking day. Here's the first few


All tied and ready to smoke


Into the Big Chief


All finished




All in all I have to say these turned out amazing. The Weston #5 was a great pickup, however the sausage horn included was a little big and tapered, I went to Weston's website right away and ordered the rest of the sausage kit which included 3 smaller untapered horns which will come in handy for sure.

Was a fun smoke and can't wait to do more. Next up; kabanosy sticks!!

Thanks for looking!
 
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Found some more pics from post-smoke. I cut up a few of these, toothpicked, dusted with Jeff's Rub and warmed them up in the WSM with some other goodies for a NYE appetizer platter for our guests.

Other appetizers include (but not limited to); Jeff's stuffed mushrooms, Moink balls, Jeff's smoked shrimp and Ms. Dukes's cowboy candy.


MOINK Balls

 
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Reactions: ak1
Wow. Looks great.

I need a smaller grinder
Thanks Adam!

I was surprised at how well this unit worked for the $59 price tag. The sausage tube that was included was my only problem with it. The tube set was another $17 with shipping and it came in the day after these were finished.

The set came with 13mm, 18mm, and 20mm tubes and the stuffing star.
 
Link to the grinder?

I have a stuffer and a huge grinder
 
Wow! 2 Tbl black pepper,2 Tbl crushed red pepper (pizza pepper),1 Tbl cayenne*,1 Tbl chipotle powder* That sounds like some serious Heat! Fine for my taste but my Mrs.' would not touch them. Nice job...JJ
 
 
Wow! 2 Tbl black pepper,2 Tbl crushed red pepper (pizza pepper),1 Tbl cayenne*,1 Tbl chipotle powder* That sounds like some serious Heat! Fine for my taste but my Mrs.' would not touch them. Nice job...JJ
Thanks JJ!

I thought so as well, but it's actually not that hot! Quite milder than the beef jerky I normally make, anyways...

Willie's original recipe calls for 2 Tbl of cayenne and no chipotle, but I've been sneaking the chipotle in a lot of recipes as I like the flavor.
 
Those look wonderful.  And I think it's awesome that your making Texas links that far up north.  It makes the world just a bit smaller!

Points.  

b
 
 
Those look wonderful.  And I think it's awesome that your making Texas links that far up north.  It makes the world just a bit smaller!

Points.  

b
Thanks BD, and for the points!

The weather may not be the same out here, but at least I can still enjoy some Texas Que.

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Oh Yeah!!
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Those are some Fine Looking Sausages!!
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Nice Job, Duke!!
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Bear
 
Looks dang good Duke... Nice job ! I need to make more of these... they are tasty... Thumbs Up

The apps look great as well ! Thumbs Up
 
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Nice job those look great. I think I'm gonna dream about that meat tray tonight. Ha ha I'm a fellow Canuck from Lacombe Alberta. Good to see another guy braving the cold.
 
Those hot links should keep ya warm...... Nice work............
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