How to Cook Air Dried Country Sausage to Perfection

Air dried country sausage is a beloved specialty in many parts of the American South. With its intensely smoky, spicy flavor and chewy texture, properly prepared air dried sausage makes for a satisfying meal. However, cooking this unique cured sausage requires some special considerations.

In this detailed guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know to cook air dried country sausage perfectly at home. You’ll learn about:

What exactly is air dried country sausage?
Tips for choosing the best air dried sausage
Special cooking methods to achieve ideal texture
How to store and preserve air dried sausage
Serving suggestions and recipe ideas

So let’s get started mastering the art of cooking this traditional Southern treat!

What Is Air Dried Country Sausage?

Air dried country sausage has its roots in the Southeastern United States. It was developed as a way to preserve sausage without refrigeration before the days of modern food storage.

To make air dried sausage, pork is coarsely ground and combined with salt, spices, and curing ingredients. The sausage mixture is stuffed into hog casings, then hung to cure through slow fermentation and air drying for anywhere from 2 weeks to several months.

This process concentrates the flavor and creates a dense, chewy texture very different from fresh sausage. The finished sausage has a deep, smoky taste without ever being smoked. And thanks to the lower moisture content, air dried sausage keeps without refrigeration.

Choosing the Right Sausage

For the best results, look for traditionally made air dried sausage when selecting your links:

Flavor profile – Choose hot, mild, or specialty flavors based on your tastes
Ingredients – Look for sausage made with quality pork, beef, or game meat
Appearance – Opt for links with a firm texture, evenly distributed fat, and vibrant color

Buying from a local producer is often your best bet to get authentic, high quality air dried sausage.

Cooking Methods for Air Dried Sausage

To achieve the perfect texture and flavor when cooking air dried sausage, there are some special techniques to follow:

Soak before cooking – Soak the sausage in cool water for at least 30 minutes to rehydrate slightly. This helps it cook evenly.
Simmer or boil – Gently simmering in water or broth is ideal to heat the sausage through without toughening the exterior.
Cook thoroughly – Interior should reach 160°F. Cured or not, you want it fully cooked for food safety.
Keep moist – Add a bit of liquid to the pan to prevent drying out. Air dried sausage can easily burn.
Rest before serving – Letting it rest 5-10 minutes after cooking allows moisture to distribute evenly.

Storing and Preserving Tips

Thanks to the curing and drying process, air dried country sausage keeps for long periods without refrigeration:

Cool and dark – Store at 60°F to 70°F, away from light to prevent mold growth.
Proper packaging – Wrapping in paper or cloth maintains ideal moisture levels, unlike plastic or foil.
Monitor closely – Discard any sausage that shows signs of mold. This indicates spoilage.
Use quickly once cut – Sliced sausage should be tightly wrapped and refrigerated, used within 1 week.

Follow these guidelines, and air dried country sausage will keep for months.

Serving Suggestions and Recipes

From breakfast to dinner, air dried country sausage makes a delicious addition to all types of Southern dishes:

Scrambled eggs or omelets
Stew, soup, beans, greens
With biscuits and red eye gravy
Jambalaya or dirty rice
Grits and gravy
Macaroni and cheese
Pizza topping
Appetizers with cheese and crackers

The smoky, spicy flavors pair perfectly with traditional Southern ingredients. Now that you know how to cook air dried country sausage to perfection, you can start enjoying this specialty Southern food!

Soak, simmer, rest and store it properly, and you’ll be able to savor the complex flavors of air dried sausage for months to come. It’s a unique treat that captures the heritage of Southern food traditions.

how to cook air dried country sausage

Choosing the Right Air Dried Sausage

Before we dive into the cooking process, it’s essential to select the perfect air dried sausage. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

Think about the taste: air-dried sausages come in a range of tastes, from mild to spicy. Choose one that aligns with your personal preferences.
Check the list of ingredients. Look for sausages that are made with good meats and few other ingredients. Usually, a mix of pork, beef, or game meat is used to make the best sausages.
Check how it looks. A good air-dried sausage should be firm, have fat that is evenly distributed, and be a bright color.

Cooking Tips for Air Dried Sausage

Now that you have your air dried sausage ready, it’s time to cook it to perfection. Follow these tips to achieve delicious results:

Allow the sausage to come to room temperature before cooking. This helps to ensure even cooking and enhances the flavors.
Preheat your skillet or grill over medium heat.
Put the sausage on the hot surface and cook it for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it’s browned and hot all the way through.
A light coat of olive oil or a sprinkle of herbs and spices will make the sausage taste better.
After cooking, let the sausage cool down for a few minutes before cutting it up. This lets the juices move around, making the bite more tender and flavorful.

After your air-dried sausage is cooked to perfection, it’s time to eat it! Here are some serving suggestions and tasty foods to go with it:

To start, cut the sausage into thin slices and serve it with cheese and crusty bread.
For a burst of savory flavor, add it to your favorite pasta or risotto dishes.
For a fancy touch, add thin slices of air-dried sausage to your own pizzas.
Red wine, like a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or a smooth Merlot, goes well with it.

Now that you know how to cook air-dried sausage, it’s time to try out different flavors, combinations, and different kinds of food. Let your taste buds take you on a journey through time and tradition that honors the taste of this classic treat. Bon appétit! Share your insights and experiences with cooking air dried sausage in the.

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FAQ

Does air dried sausage need to be cooked?

“Dry-cured” describes the process by which raw meat is rubbed with a salt mixture and hung to age. It’s not just cured in an unsmoked form, as a ham would be. The question, then, is whether you need to cook it before you eat it, and the answer is no—it’s already cooked.

How to cook air dried sausage on the stove?

Heat the Skillet: Place a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil or butter to prevent sticking. Add the Sausages: Once the skillet is hot, add the smoked sausages. Ensure they are spaced out evenly. Cook: Cook the sausages for about 10-12 minutes, turning them frequently to brown all sides.

What is the best way to cook country sausage?

Fresh link sausage is best cooked by parboiling (partial boiling to pre-cook), then pan-frying or grilling.

How do you cook wind dried sausage?

It can be eaten, pan-fried, on its own, steamed on top of jasmine rice or used in any number of stir-fry dishes. It is extremely versatile and moreish! Fry small pieces of the sausage in oil and stir through soaked glutinous rice before it is steamed, or season a dish of greens or vegetables.