Every Christmas morning, my father’s stocking sticks out from the others, appearing as though it is heavy with something stodgy, which it actually is. Every time there’s a large, juicy summer sausage buried at the bottom, he appears genuinely astonished and thrilled. It’s a custom that many Southern households follow. When summer sausage starts to show up in neighborhood gift and meat stores, as well as grocery store aisles, you know the holidays are approaching. It’s a seasonal treat even though it’s available all year round. However, why?
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As seen by our vibrant barbecue culture, Southerners have long been fans of the whole category of dried and smoked meats. In addition, we love giving Christmas food gifts to our neighbors, family, friends, coworkers, and everyone else on our extensive list of cheerleaders. That would help to explain why we have such a fondness for summer sausage, which we serve to guests along with handmade pickles and cheese straws and eat ourselves before holiday dinners.
When in doubt, whether it’s tucked into a stocking or enclosed in a generous gift basket from Hickory Farms or a nearby meat supplier, a summer sausage will always make a Southern audience happy, one link at a time.
What is summer sausage, exactly?
Summer sausage is often made using beef (but it may also be produced with pig or venison) plus a few other shelf-stable components including mustard seed, curing salt, and pepper. Its centuries-old roots, when refrigeration was nonexistent, explain why it doesn’t need to be refrigerated because it’s cured, dried, and frequently smoked.
Summer sausage was one of the foods that originated in the Texas-German communities in Texas Hill Country, and it was brought to the United States by German immigrants more than 150 years ago.
How did the term “summer sausage” come about?
Summer sausage was one of the meats that could be consumed even in the hot summer months since it was slow to deteriorate and extremely shelf-stable, having been developed as a method of preserving meat without refrigeration. As a result, the term comes from being a summertime mainstay during a time when less reliable ways to prepare meat were not favored.
Is it possible to eat summer sausage raw?
Yes, you can have summer sausage without heating it up or keeping it refrigerated. Usually served thinly sliced either by itself or with other accompaniments like cheese. Some Southerners enjoy using summer sausage in their post-holiday sandwiches, or even chopping it up and adding it to casseroles. Fortunately, since it’s ready to eat at room temperature, there’s really no wrong way to enjoy it!
How Do I Use Summer Sausage and What Is It?
Summer Sausage: What Is It?
Before refrigeration technology was invented, summer sausage was a kind of cured pork that was made in Europe. People were able to create a sausage that would not deteriorate “in the summer months” without refrigeration by using many sorts of preservation techniques simultaneously.
Thus, the term “summer sausage.”
Summer sausages come in a variety of varieties these days (like Spanish chorizo, pepperoni, and salami), but classic German-style summer sausage is somewhat softer and less dry than these prepared meats. This is because of the temperature in Germany and the fact that less water needed to be removed from the meat in order for it to remain fresh during the summer.
How Should Summer Sausage Be Used?
Summer sausage is ideal for charcuterie boards, picnics, and snacking. It goes nicely with cheese and wine and is usually served thinly sliced.
It’s delicious on sandwiches as well.
The true charm of summer sausage is that it’s easy to prepare, ready to eat, and tastes best at room temperature. You can also fry it up or put it in a casserole.
Does Summer Sausage Need to Be Refrigerated?
Although summer sausage was initially designed to be consumed without refrigeration, modern food safety knowledge has improved with the widespread availability of refrigeration. While many summer sausages may safely be kept outside of your cooler, keep in mind that some need to be refrigerated to maintain their freshness.
Consult the maker if you’re unsure if your sausage has to be refrigerated. Additionally, you may check the box; if it states, “Refrigerate after opening,” you can safely store it in the pantry until you need it. Place it in your refrigerator if it says “Needs refrigeration.” Another option is to consider the aisle in your grocery shop where the item was bought. A snack you discovered in the refrigerated case likely needs to keep cold, but if you grabbed it at the checkout stand, it’s probably shelf-stable.