Fermented Sausage

Backwoods Pepperoni

Classic Style Pepperoni

Backwoods Pepperoni
Internal temp
35-40% weight loss
Smoker temp
65-70°F / 18-21°C (cold smoke)
Casing size
2 inches
Casing
Fibrous Casings or Beef Middles

What goes in it

Amounts are calculated for your batch weight in the app — including the cure, which is held at a fixed, food-safe rate.

The meat

Lean Wild Game · Lean Beef · Pork Fat

How it's made

  1. Grind meat through a 3/16" plate for a fine, uniform texture. Keep below 34°F.
  2. Dissolve starter culture in distilled water per package directions.
  3. Mix all dry seasonings together. Add dissolved culture.
  4. Mix into ground meat until very tacky and well-bound.
  5. Stuff into 2" fibrous casings or beef middles. Pack tight, no air pockets.
  6. FERMENT: Hang at 85-90°F, 85-90% humidity for 18-24 hours until pH drops below 5.3.
  7. SMOKE (optional): Light cold smoke at 65-70°F for 4-6 hours.
  8. DRY: Move to 55°F, 75-80% humidity. Dry for 2-4 weeks until 30% weight loss.
  9. Slice thin. The flavor develops more over the first week after drying.
  10. SAFETY: Cure #2 and starter culture amounts are locked. Do not reduce.

Wood

Oak · Beech

Safety

  • Cure #2 and starter culture are required — do not substitute
  • Maintain proper fermentation temperature and humidity
  • Dry until target weight loss is achieved before consuming