summer sausage - advice needed (thanks - check Q-VIEW)

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

bobdog46

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Sep 11, 2010
273
16
Ponchatoula Louisiana
Hey - I need a little help    I made some summer sausage last month that came out wonderful.  I will be making more this weekend with a couple of changes, I will be adding jalapeno and cheese to this batch. My question is about the cheese. Is it necessary to use high temp cheese ? Can I use regular sharp chedder ?  Any comments would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,

                              Bobby D 
 
Yes you can use regular cheese. Just chop into small cubes.
 
I use some cheap cheddar last week in some jap and cheese summer sausage. It was good but the cheese ended up soft or creamy even the next day....week. I think maybe next time I'll try a better less fat cheese.

I also kept the temps under 170° so as not to get the cheese runny while in the smoker but.

anybody got an opinion on the type of cheese or smoker temps?
 
I just made a batch of 25 lbs with high temp pepperjack I got from a local processer and fresh jalapenos.  I used 10% cheese and 3 jalapenos (seeded and de-membraned).  I didn't get as much zip as I wanted and next time I will use a few more peppers and may keep some membranes in it.  I was a little dissapointed in that the cheese gets a bit soft after it sits out of the fridge for a little bit.  I thought it would hold up a little better.
 
One more question ----  Do I put the cheese & jalapenos in the mix during the curing process or wait to mix it in just prior to stuffing ??
 
I'd put it in for the curing process.  A friend of mine uses a 12 oz. bottle of jalapenos in a 25 lb mix.  He cuts them up fine, then puts them with the water and mixes it.  He also uses the hi-temp cheese, 10%, he's never had any luck using regular cheese.  I just make "straight" summer sausage so I'm just going by what he says.  By the way, his tastes great!  But then again, ahem, so does mine! 
 
I use about a dozen fresh jalapenos in s 25# batch

seeded and membrane removed. I dont get real careful about removing all the membrane

I get a really nice jalapeno taste  a just a little bite.
 
318762c9_Photo01300746.jpg
fe44394b_Photo01291531.jpg
 
I used  1 1/2 lbs of regular medium cheddar cheese and a 12 oz cup of chopped jalapenos in 15 lbs of meat using High Mtn summer sausage seasoning & cure.  It came out great. Next time maybe a little more jalapenos. 
 
Last edited:
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky