Ground Sausage
Old World Italian
Italian Style Sausage
What goes in it
- Kosher Salt
- Coarse Black Pepper
- Fennel Seed (whole or cracked) or Ground Fennel
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Dried Parsley
- Oregano
- Anise Seed
- Sugar
- Ice Cold Water
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 Butt · Pork Shoulder
How it's made
- Grind pork through a 1/4" plate. Keep cold.
- Toast fennel and anise seeds together in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant — about 2 minutes. This wakes up the oils and deepens the flavor.
- Add dry seasonings to ground meat and mix to distribute evenly. For hot Italian sausage, include the red pepper flakes. For sweet or mild Italian, leave them out.
- Add ice cold water to meat and mix well until you get good protein extraction.
- Stuff into natural hog casings or use as bulk sausage.
- Grill, pan-fry, or use in pasta and sauces.
- Always cook ground sausage thoroughly before serving.
Safety
- Keep meat cold during grinding
- Cook thoroughly before serving