Sausage choices


 
RichPB (richlife)

RichPB (richlife)

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Let me start by saying I don't make my own sausage. It's somewhat tempting, but I have enough to do dealing with my other daily food preparation. What I do know is that, at least for me, smoking any sausage produces a far better than flavor than any other method of cooking. But grilling is my more usual prep method. So I like to smoke up a bunch of sausage when I have the smoker going, freeze them and grill as wanted.

But that's not really the reason I opened this post. While I'm not particularly a fan of Johnsonville sausage, there are some that I like. The Hot Italian is as good as any other I've had (but please offer options if you prefer another -- spicy is key) What I found recently is that their Jalapeno Cheddar Smoked Sausage is really good -- especially when smoked! I don't really know what Johnsonville means by "smoked", but it certainly doesn't meet my standard. The WSM does a wonderful transmutation with this particular sausage.

So when I went to buy some to add to my National Chicken Wing Day smoke, I was delighted to see that Johnsonville also has another parallel offering -- Pepper Jack Smoked Sausage. How could I resist? I prefer to grill the standard sausage as sold to have a base to consider, so last evening I tossed one on the grill for dinner. I hate to be negative, but wow. If you like salty fat, then maybe these Pepper Jack Smoked Sausage may be for you -- but not me. Now I have most of the pack (5) left for smoking which I will do. I'll be glad to share the results -- I'm still hopeful? Stay tuned if you care.
 
I did as I said, and I'm doing as I said I would.

I smoked the two different sausages described above for an hour plus at 235*. Here's the pic after smoking. Can you tell which is which?
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It's easy -- the ones split wide open are the Pepper Jack ones I complained about to start. I froze all back in their original packages and waited until a few days ago to again try one of these smoked (by me) Pepper Jack and the Cheddar Jalapeno sausages well heated on the grill. Even after bursting while smoking and then being reheated, the Pepper Jack were very fatty to me and tasted more salty. The remaining Pepper Jack sausages went into the trash.

But before trashing them, I took pictures of the backs of the packages with Nutrition Facts. As you can see, the Pepper Jack claims to be less fat with more sodium -- but the Cheddar Jalapeno are great and the other are in the trash.

If anyone decides to try either of these, please let me know what you think.

IMG_20220811_102233335.jpgIMG_20220811_102224062.jpg
 
I used the cheddar jalapeno in a low country boil a couple weeks ago and they were great. haven't tried the others but probably will if I see them.
 
RichPB (richlife) said:
Let me start by saying I don't make my own sausage. It's somewhat tempting, but I have enough to do dealing with my other daily food preparation. What I do know is that, at least for me, smoking any sausage produces a far better than flavor than any other method of cooking. But grilling is my more usual prep method. So I like to smoke up a bunch of sausage when I have the smoker going, freeze them and grill as wanted.
Click to expand...

I like this idea to smoke some, and then freeze for later. I'll need to try it.

I don't know if you are near a Costco, or not. Sometimes they have aidells spicy mango jalapeno chicken sausage. It was $13.99 for three pounds and went on sale for about $10.50 for three pounds. I stocked up on it when it was on sale.

If you get some, I'm curious what you think. It is one of my fav's.

note: The retail version is 4 links / 12 oz but the costco version is 5 links 16 oz

Here's the retail size:

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Spicy Mango with Jalapeño Smoked Chicken Sausage

Tender poultry combines with natural, sweet mango, spicy jalapeño, cilantro and paprika to make this fresh sweet and spicy sausage an ultimate dinner treat.
www.aidells.com www.aidells.com
 
Aidells is my favorite Andouille, so I will definitely try the Spicy Mango if I find it. I think our Costco carries it, but I'm generally not a fan of chicken sausage.

Have you had the Hot Italian from Costco? They haven't had samples available, and I've not been willing to risk 3 lbs without tasting -- I really don't eat it often. I'd like a good spicy Italian.
 
I have not tried the hot italian from Costco.

Aidells was at the store serving samples pre co vid and I got to try at least six different ones. I'm not sure I would have bought the spicy mango without trying it first but I use it in several dishes.

I'll have to try the andouille if I see it.
 
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