Are you a fan of the delicious smoked sausage patties served at Cracker Barrel restaurants? Do you wish you could enjoy them at home, but can’t seem to find them anywhere?
Look no further! In this article, we’ll show you how to make your own Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties right in your own kitchen.
With just a few simple ingredients and some easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be enjoying these mouth-watering sausages in no time.
So, let’s get started!
How To Make Cracker Barrel Smoked Sausage?
To make Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties, you’ll need ground pork, curing salt, brown sugar, black pepper, and liquid smoke.
Start by mixing together 2 pounds of ground pork with 2 teaspoons of curing salt, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Add in 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke and mix well.
Form the mixture into patties about 4 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld together.
Preheat your grill or smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and add some hickory chips for that authentic smoky flavor. Place the patties on the grill and cook for about an hour or until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once cooked, remove the patties from the grill and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties on biscuits with your favorite mustard or crumbled into beans for a delicious meal.
Ingredients Needed
To make Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties, you’ll need the following ingredients:
– 2 pounds of ground pork
– 2 teaspoons of curing salt
– 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon of black pepper
– 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke
In addition to these ingredients, you’ll also need hickory chips for smoking the patties and parchment paper for lining your baking sheet. Once you have all your ingredients, you’re ready to start making your own delicious smoked sausage patties that taste just like the ones from Cracker Barrel!
Preparing The Meat
To prepare the meat for Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties, you’ll need to start with ground pork. It’s important to use fresh, high-quality pork to ensure the best flavor and texture.
Next, you’ll need to add in some key ingredients to give the sausage its signature taste. This includes curing salt, which will help preserve the meat and give it a slightly salty flavor. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, while black pepper provides some heat and depth of flavor.
To achieve that smoky taste, you’ll also need some liquid smoke. This ingredient is made by burning wood chips and capturing the smoke in a liquid form. It adds a deep, rich flavor that mimics the taste of traditional smoking methods.
Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, mix them together thoroughly with the ground pork. Use your hands or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to ensure everything is well combined.
Form the mixture into patties and refrigerate for at least an hour before cooking. This will allow the flavors to meld together and make the patties easier to handle on the grill or smoker.
When it’s time to cook, preheat your grill or smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and add some hickory chips for that classic smoky flavor. Place the patties on the grill and cook for about an hour or until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once cooked, let the patties cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties on biscuits with your favorite mustard or crumbled into beans for a delicious meal.
Adding Flavors And Seasonings
While the basic recipe for Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage is delicious, you can always experiment with different flavors and seasonings to make it your own. Start with the basic recipe and adjust the seasonings to suit your own tastes.
Some additional seasonings you might want to include are garlic powder, dried thyme, ground rosemary, and brown sugar. Start with small amounts of each seasoning and adjust accordingly until you find the combination that you like best.
For a more savory flavor, try adding fennel, sage, or smoked paprika to the mix. These spices add depth and complexity to the sausage, making it even more delicious.
You can also experiment with different types of meat. Ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of pork for a leaner option. You can also mix different meats together for a unique flavor profile.
Remember to always taste test your sausage mixture before cooking. Fry a small patty in a skillet and adjust the seasonings as needed until you achieve the perfect flavor.
With a little bit of experimentation and creativity, you can make your own delicious homemade Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties that will rival anything you can get at the restaurant.
Shaping The Patties
To shape the sausage patties, take a small amount of the mixture and form it into a ball about the size of a golf ball. Flatten the ball between your palms to form a patty that is about 4 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick. Make sure to press down firmly so that the patties hold together during cooking.
If you prefer, you can also use a burger press to shape your sausage patties. Simply place a ball of the mixture into the press and use the handle to flatten it into a patty. This method ensures that all of your patties are uniform in size and shape.
Once you’ve shaped your patties, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate them for at least an hour before cooking. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes the patties easier to handle on the grill or in the smoker.
With these simple steps, you can easily shape your own Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties at home. Experiment with different seasonings and spices to create your own unique flavor profile.
Smoking The Sausages
Smoking sausage is a great way to add a delicious smoky flavor to your meat. To start, heat your smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and place the sausages on the grill grates about an inch or so apart. Be sure to turn your sausages every 45 minutes to ensure the heat is circulating around the sausage evenly.
The sweet spot for your smoker is between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit, but the temperature may deviate anywhere from 225°F-240°F if you are using a charcoal or wood smoker. You’ll know your smoked sausage is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.
The ideal temperature to smoke sausage at is between 200 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Within this range, you can smoke it for up to 3 hours. For this reason, we recommend going for the standard 225°F temperature that we apply to most smoked meats. If you want to smoke it in less time, you can ramp up the temperature to about 300°F. The trick is to keep checking the internal temperature of the sausage. Use a smoker thermometer to monitor the progress of your sausage and this will remove the need to cut it open. Aim for an internal temperature of 160-165°F.
When smoking sausages, it’s important to choose the right type of wood. Hickory chips are great for adding a traditional smoky flavor, while applewood chips can add a sweeter flavor. Soak your wood chips in water for at least an hour before using them in your smoker.
Once your sausages are smoked, remove them from the smoker and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them on their own or with your favorite toppings like sour kraut and Dijon mustard on a whole wheat bun alongside air fryer tater tots.
Serving Suggestions And Tips
Here are some serving suggestions and tips to make your Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties even more delicious:
1. Serve on biscuits: Cracker Barrel is famous for their biscuits, so why not serve your smoked sausage patties on a freshly baked biscuit? Top with your favorite mustard or gravy for a hearty breakfast or brunch.
2. Add to beans: Smoked sausage is a great addition to any bean dish, whether it’s baked beans, black beans, or white beans. Crumble the patties into the beans for added flavor and protein.
3. Make a sandwich: Stack your smoked sausage patties between two slices of bread with some cheese and pickles for a delicious sandwich.
4. Use fresh ground pork: For the best flavor and texture, use fresh ground pork instead of pre-packaged ground pork.
5. Don’t overcook: Make sure to cook your smoked sausage patties until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, but be careful not to overcook them as they can become dry and tough.
6. Use a smoker for authentic flavor: If you have a smoker, use it to cook your smoked sausage patties for that authentic smoky flavor.
With these serving suggestions and tips, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious and homemade Cracker Barrel-style smoked sausage patties in no time!
