can some one tell me if I need to put cure in home made italian sausage if I am going to smoke it. can I smoke it at 200 plus.
Len
Len
It depends..... if your going to hot smoke it you dont need to add cure. Just make sure the sausage is cooked to 140 degrees in 4 hrs. Hot smoking sausage temp should be around 250 to 275 for me. If you want a slow smoke at lower temps for a longer period of time then yes you will need to add cure... When you add cure the sausage will no longer be a fresh italian sausage like you buy in the store........ I have never seen cured Italian sausage sold in stores but I have made it and it is pretty good......
Good luck and happy smoking
Joe