Wanting to make sausage hotter

[ryansguitars]

I am getting ready to make a batch of hot links. Nothing fancy here, just grind my meat and I bought a seasoning packet. We like things hot and I don't think the packet will bring the heat. I have some ghost pepper wing dust. Can I add this or will it mess up things? Am I better adding cayenne, or?????
Thanks for any help

 

[shoebe]

You could always make a test Patty out of a small portion and see how it tastes

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Add cayenne or even jalapeno powder

 

[chopsaw]

I had some Caroline Reaper powder I used to make a smoked hot sausage . I used 1/4 tsp for a 2 1/2 pound batch . It's pretty warm , but any more would have been to hot .
Use the cayenne as suggested and see how it is .

 

[ryansguitars]

I think I will go with cayenne and see if that warms things up. Thanks for the replies

 

[tallbm]

I think I will go with cayenne and see if that warms things up. Thanks for the replies

Hi there and welcome!

I agree with the test patty approach.
I was going to say that all ghost pepper stuff I taste has a drastically different flavor from the pepper than a hot link flavor has. I was going to suggest Cayenne for the heat but ALSO for the great cayenne flavor.
I'm pretty sure the ghost pepper would not give you the flavor you want but would give u a ton of heat :)

 

[radioguy]

I use a variety of peppers depending on what type of heat I want. Jalapeno powder, white pepper is wonderful, cayenne and red pepper flakes. Try a mix and taste. I dry the hot peppers out of the garden, grind up and make my own pepper flakes/dust.

RG

 

[SmokinAl]

We just go with red pepper flakes & chopped jalapeños.
Al

 

[ryansguitars]

Update. I ended up going with cayenne. It was a 5# batch. Used 1/2 pork, 1/2 beef. I used the pre mixed seasoning and added a few Tablespoons of cayenne. I sampled one and the heat seemed good. Thanks for all the replies.