Portuguese sausage, also known as chouriço, is a delicious and flavorful sausage that is popular in Portugal and many other parts of the world. Made with a blend of pork, paprika, garlic, and other spices, it has a unique taste that is hard to resist. In this article, we will share with you an easy-to-follow recipe for making Portuguese sausage at home.
Ingredients
To make Portuguese sausage, you will need the following ingredients: - 2 pounds ground pork - 2 tablespoons paprika - 2 tablespoons salt - 1 tablespoon garlic powder - 1 tablespoon onion powder - 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes - 1 tablespoon oregano - 1/2 tablespoon black pepper - 1/2 tablespoon cumin - 1/2 tablespoon coriander - 1/2 cup red wine vinegar - 1/2 cup ice water - Natural hog casings
Notes on Ingredients
When choosing your ground pork, make sure to select a good quality meat with a decent amount of fat. This will help ensure that your sausage is juicy and flavorful. When it comes to the spices, feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your taste. You can also add other herbs and spices if you like.
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let's get started on making the sausage.
Step 1: Prepare the casings
Soak the natural hog casings in warm water for at least 30 minutes to soften them up. Rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove any salt or debris.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together the ground pork, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, black pepper, cumin, coriander, red wine vinegar, and ice water. Use your hands to mix everything together thoroughly, making sure that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Step 3: Stuff the casings
Attach the hog casing to the sausage stuffer and begin to fill it with the meat mixture. Make sure to pack the meat tightly into the casings, being careful not to overstuff them. Twist the casings to form individual sausages, making them as long or as short as you prefer.
Step 4: Cure the sausages
Hang the sausages in a cool, dry place to cure for at least 24 hours. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the casings to dry out slightly.
Step 5: Cook the sausages
There are many ways to cook Portuguese sausage, including grilling, broiling, or pan-frying. To cook them on a grill, preheat the grill to medium-high heat and grill the sausages for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked through and nicely charred.
Nutrition
Here is the approximate nutritional information for a 3-ounce serving of Portuguese sausage: - Calories: 250 - Fat: 20g - Protein: 15g - Carbohydrates: 1g - Fiber: 0g - Sugar: 0g - Sodium: 800mg
Conclusion
Making your own Portuguese sausage is a fun and rewarding experience that is sure to impress your friends and family. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a delicious and authentic sausage that will transport you straight to Portugal. So why not give it a try and see how it turns out? We guarantee you won't be disappointed!
