Description
Zesty Pickled Sausage delivers a tangy punch of flavor straight from German culinary traditions. Crisp vinegar notes and robust spices create an irresistible snack perfect for beer lovers and adventurous palates.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Meat:
- 2 lbs polish or beef sausage
- 1 lb beef franks
Pickling Liquid:
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 3 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
Aromatics and Spices:
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Slice the sausages into bite-sized segments, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent pickling and easy consumption.
- In a large non-reactive pot, combine white vinegar, water, kosher salt, and sugar, whisking until the salt and sugar completely dissolve.
- Add whole black peppercorns, minced garlic, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes to the pickling liquid, creating a robust, aromatic base.
- Layer sliced red onions and jalapeño peppers at the bottom of clean, sterilized glass jars.
- Carefully arrange the sausage pieces on top of the onions and peppers, packing them tightly but allowing some space for the pickling liquid.
- Pour the hot pickling mixture over the sausages, ensuring they are completely submerged and covered by the liquid.
- Seal the jars with tight-fitting lids and allow them to cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Refrigerate the pickled sausages for at least 24 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop, with optimal taste emerging after 48-72 hours.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, enjoying the tangy, spicy sausages as a zesty snack or appetizer.
Notes
- Slice sausages uniformly to ensure even pickling and consistent texture throughout each bite.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes or swapping jalapeños with milder peppers for a gentler flavor profile.
- Use high-quality, fresh sausages with minimal processing for the best pickled results and maximum flavor absorption.
- Store in airtight glass containers to maintain crisp texture and prevent flavor contamination from other refrigerator items.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1.3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg