Are you a fan of smoked sausage?
Have you ever heard of Blue and Gold Sausage?
This beloved sausage is a staple in Oklahoma, sold by FFA and Band students as a fundraiser.
If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a 2.5-pound stick, you might be wondering how to smoke it to perfection.
Look no further!
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to smoke Blue and Gold Sausage, whether you have a whole stick or patties.
Get ready to impress your taste buds with this flavorful and unique sausage.
How To Smoke Blue And Gold Sausage?
Before you begin, it’s important to note that you should remove the sausage from the refrigerator and let it warm up a little. Cold sausage straight from the fridge shouldn’t be smoked, so give it some time to reach room temperature.
Next, prepare and heat your smoker to 225 degrees. If you’re using a charcoal or wood smoker, make sure to add some wood chips for extra flavor.
If you have a whole stick of Blue and Gold Sausage, place it on the grill and make sure it’s not touching any other sausages. If you have patties, arrange them on the grill with some space in between each one.
For around three hours, smoke the sausage with the cover shut. To check the temperature, place a digital thermometer probe into the end of the sausage and move it toward the center. Try to open the smoker as little as possible to prevent heat loss and a drop in temperature.
If you’re smoking patties, they will likely cook faster than a whole stick. Check their internal temperature after about an hour and a half to ensure they’re fully cooked.
Once your Blue and Gold Sausage has reached an internal temperature of 157 degrees, wrap it in foil and let it rest for an hour. This will allow the flavors to fully develop and make for a more tender sausage.
What Is Blue And Gold Sausage?
Blue and Gold Sausage is a popular pork sausage that has been a staple in Oklahoma since 1970. It is known for its unique flavor, which comes from a special seasoning blend that is added to quality cuts of pork. The sausage is sold in a 2.5 pound roll and is gluten-free.
Blue and Gold Sausage is not available in stores and can only be purchased through fundraising groups, such as FFA students, who sell the sausage to raise money for their organizations. The company also produces chicken fritters, which are breaded and frozen but not pre-cooked, and come in a 5-pound bag.
The company focuses on the South Central US region and offers net terms to qualified groups. All items are shipped frozen, and minimum orders apply for both sausages and chicken fritters. Blue and Gold Sausage has become a beloved product in Oklahoma due to its unique taste and its association with fundraising for local organizations.
Preparing Your Smoker
To prepare your smoker, start by firing it up and aiming for a temperature of 225°F (107°C). This can take up to 30 minutes if you’re using a charcoal smoker. If you’re using a grill, make sure to set it up for 2-zone cooking so that you can use indirect cooking.
Fill a water pan and place it on the racks near (but not touching) the sausage. If you don’t have a water pan, you can use a bowl. This will help keep the sausage moist during the smoking process.
Next, place the sausage on the rack, making sure there is some distance between each piece and the water pan. If you have a whole stick of Blue and Gold Sausage, place it on the grill and make sure it’s not touching any other sausages. If you have patties, arrange them on the grill with some space in between each one.
Once all the racks are in, close the smoker and allow the magic to happen. Make sure to turn the sausages over every 45 minutes or so. If you’re using a regular grill, place the sausages on the grates on the other side of the grill once you’ve reached 225°F. Add a couple of chunks of apple wood to the coals to impart a bit more flavor.
Make sure that both your intake and exhaust vents are wide open to start with, and then move them to half shut while cooking. This should manage airflow and heat well, but might need a little bit of tweaking as you go for the best results. Use your smoker thermometer as a guide to check the temperature of your sausage throughout the smoking process.
After about three hours, check the internal temperature of your sausage with a digital thermometer probe. Once it reaches 157 degrees, wrap it in foil and let it rest for an hour. This will allow the flavors to fully develop and make for a more tender sausage.
Smoking A Whole Stick Of Blue And Gold Sausage
If you have a whole stick of Blue and Gold Sausage, you can still smoke it on the grill without having to cut it into patties. Simply place the sausage on the smoker’s grate, making sure it’s not touching any other sausages.
It’s important to note that larger sausages will take longer to cook than smaller patties. Therefore, you may need to smoke the whole stick for up to four hours, or until its internal temperature reaches 165 °F.
To ensure even cooking, rotate the sausage occasionally while it’s smoking. This will also help prevent any hot spots in the smoker.
Once the sausage has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the smoker and let it rest for at least an hour before slicing it into individual servings.
Smoking a whole stick of Blue and Gold Sausage is a great way to enjoy this flavorful sausage without having to cut it into patties. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can create a delicious smoked sausage that will be sure to impress your family and friends.
Smoking Blue And Gold Sausage Patties
If you’re smoking Blue and Gold Sausage patties, the process is similar but with a few adjustments. First, preheat your smoker to 225 degrees and add some wood chips if desired.
Arrange the patties on the grill with some space in between each one. Smoke them for about an hour and a half, checking their internal temperature with a digital thermometer probe. Once they’ve reached an internal temperature of 157 degrees, wrap them in foil and let them rest for an hour.
It’s important to note that patties may cook faster than a whole stick of sausage, so keep an eye on their temperature to ensure they’re fully cooked.
Whether you’re smoking a whole stick or patties, Blue and Gold Sausage is a delicious addition to any smoker. Give it a try and enjoy the flavorful results!
Tips For Perfectly Smoked Blue And Gold Sausage
Here are some tips to help you achieve the perfect smoked Blue and Gold Sausage:
1. Use cold or chilled sausage: Smoke is attracted to cold surfaces, so cooking from chilled gives you the best chances of achieving a beautifully smokey taste. Make sure to remove the sausage from the fridge and let it warm up a little before smoking.
2. Finish with a sear: If you like those iconic grill marks on your sausage, simply ramp up your grill to a sear. Once your sausages have hit 160°F, move them from the smoker to the grill and sear them for 30-60 seconds on each side.
3. Use a charcoal chimney: If you are new to BBQ, one of the biggest challenges you might face is learning the best and easiest way to light your coals. It’s a frustrating part of BBQ, but one of the best ways to do it is by using a charcoal chimney. These little contraptions pack all your coals into one small container, restricting air exposure and making them easy to light.
4. Don’t overcrowd the grill: Make sure to give each sausage enough space on the grill so that they cook evenly and don’t touch each other.
5. Check the temperature frequently: To ensure that your sausage is cooked perfectly, use a digital thermometer probe to check its internal temperature regularly. Try to open the smoker as little as possible to prevent heat loss and a drop in temperature.
By following these tips, you can smoke Blue and Gold Sausage that is tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Serving And Enjoying Your Smoked Blue And Gold Sausage
Now that your Blue and Gold Sausage is smoked to perfection, it’s time to serve and enjoy it!
If you have a whole stick, slice it into rounds and serve it on a platter with toothpicks for easy snacking. You can also use the smoked sausage as a main ingredient in dishes like jambalaya or gumbo.
If you smoked patties, they’re perfect for breakfast sandwiches or served alongside scrambled eggs.
Regardless of how you choose to serve it, make sure to savor the delicious flavors of the smoked Blue and Gold Sausage. It’s a classic Oklahoma delicacy that’s been enjoyed for generations.
