Ukrainian Homemade Sausage (Kovbasa) Recipe 🇺🇦
Description:
Indulge in the rich flavors of traditional Ukrainian cuisine with this mouthwatering recipe for Homemade Sausage, also known as Kovbasa. Crafted with love and authenticity, this recipe promises to bring the comforting essence of Eastern European cooking straight to your kitchen. Whether you’re craving a hearty weeknight dinner or planning a special culinary adventure, this Ukrainian Homemade Sausage is sure to impress!
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Calories per serving: 2922.1
Fat: 254.8g
Saturated Fat: 107.6g
Cholesterol: 683.1mg
Sodium: 11582.1mg
Carbohydrates: 8.2g
Fiber: 1.5g
Sugar: 0.2g
Protein: 138.2g
Ingredients:
- 5 lbs beef chuck
- 2 tsp coarse salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 4-6 allspice berries
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup water
- 3 1/2 tbsp whiskey
Instructions:
- Grind the Pork: Begin by grinding the pork coarsely, just once, ensuring a perfect texture for your sausage.
- Prepare the Beef: Bone and chill the beef, then using a sharp knife, dice 2 pounds of beef into 1/4 inch cubes.
- Dice the Fat: Similarly, dice 1/2 pound of fat and grind the remaining 1/2 pound. This balance of fat adds richness and moisture to the sausage.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the diced beef, ground fat, and allspice berries, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
- Seasoning: Mash the peeled garlic with salt in a mortar, then add pepper and allspice to create a fragrant seasoning mixture.
- Incorporate: Mix the seasoning with the meats and fat, ensuring that every bite is infused with the aromatic essence of garlic and spices.
- Moisten: Add 1 cup of water for every 2 pounds of meat, then incorporate the whiskey to enrich the flavors further.
- Test: Cook a small sample of the mixture in boiling water, then taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference, being mindful not to overpower with salt.
- Prepare the Casing: Wash the casing thoroughly in cold water, rinsing it several times to remove any impurities.
- Stuff the Sausage: Carefully thread 1 yard of casing over a sausage funnel and stuff, ensuring there are no air pockets that could cause the sausages to burst during cooking.
- Secure: Tie the ends of each sausage with string, ensuring they hold their shape throughout the cooking process.
- Chill: Refrigerate the sausages, loosely covered with a towel, for 48 hours to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
- Choose Your Cooking Method: The sausage can be smoked following smoker directions for a rich, smoky flavor, or cooked fresh for a more immediate indulgence.
- Cooking Fresh: To cook fresh, simmer the sausages gently in a wide pot filled one-third with water until cooked through, approximately 30-40 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Once cooked, drain the sausages, allow them to cool, then refrigerate them loosely covered until ready to serve.
- Serve with Flair: For an added touch of color and flavor, sauté the sausages in a little fat before serving, or enjoy them cold in thin diagonal slices.
- Optional Note: If you’re feeling adventurous, try enhancing the whiskey with the bold heat of cayenne peppers to create a unique and fiery infusion known as Peperivka.
With its rich aroma, hearty flavor, and tender texture, this Ukrainian Homemade Sausage (Kovbasa) is a true celebration of culinary tradition. Whether enjoyed fresh off the grill or sliced and served cold, each bite is a journey to the heart of Eastern Europe. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and embark on a delicious adventure that’s sure to delight your taste buds and warm your soul.
