Best 3 Homemade Bulk Italian Sausage Chicago Style Recipes

Craving a taste of authentic Chicago-style Italian sausage? Look no further! This comprehensive guide provides you with two exceptional recipes to craft your own homemade bulk Italian sausage, capturing the essence of this iconic dish. Whether you prefer the classic pork-based sausage or a healthier turkey alternative, these recipes have you covered. Embark on a culinary journey to create a flavorful, juicy, and versatile sausage that will elevate your favorite Italian dishes.

**Pork Bulk Italian Sausage:**
This classic recipe yields a succulent and aromatic sausage using a blend of ground pork, spices, and seasonings. The pork's natural richness pairs perfectly with the savory blend of fennel seeds, garlic, red pepper flakes, and paprika, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. This versatile sausage can be enjoyed on its own, grilled, or incorporated into your favorite pasta dishes, sandwiches, and pizzas.

**Turkey Bulk Italian Sausage:**
For those seeking a lighter option, this turkey bulk Italian sausage recipe delivers a lean and flavorful alternative. Ground turkey forms the base of this sausage, complemented by a carefully crafted blend of spices and herbs. The result is a flavorful, juicy sausage that won't compromise on taste. Enjoy it grilled, roasted, or as a healthier addition to your favorite Italian recipes.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

ITALIAN SAUSAGE RECIPE

Italian Sausage Recipe image

This homemade Italian sausage recipe not only enables you to maintain full control over the quality of your sausage, it also tastes WAY better than store-bought! It's super easy to make and you can double our triple the recipe and freeze it so you always have sausage on hand!

Provided by Kimberly Killebrew

Categories Ingredient

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1 pound freshly ground well-marbled pork butt*
OR pre-packaged ground pork*
*can substitute ground chicken, turkey or meat of choice
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon red wine
1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns ((toast in a dry skillet for a minute or two until fragrant for maximum flavor))
1 teaspoon coarsely cracked fennel seeds ((toast in a dry skillet for a minute or two until fragrant for maximum flavor))
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes ((omit if you want a mild sausage))
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried ground sage

Steps:

Place the ground meat in a bowl and add all remaining ingredients. Use your hands or a stand mixer paddle attachment to thoroughly combine the ingredients. Wrap and chill for at least 6 hours before using, preferably overnight for best flavor.The sausage will keep in the fridge for 3 days or can be frozen, well wrapped, for up to 3 months. Makes 1 pound of ground sausage.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 2 ounces, Calories 85 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 34 mg, Sodium 767 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g

HEARTY SAUSAGE SANDWICH

Hearty Sausage Sandwich image

With its creamy stroganoff-style filling, this flavorful sandwich seems like something special. But at 98¢ a serving, it's an easy and economical choice for a casual weeknight meal. -Jillene Brown, Buckeye, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 45m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1/4 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 loaf (1 pound) unsliced Italian bread
1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

In a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. Add the cream cheese, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, water and oregano. Cook and stir until cheese is melted. , Cut bread in half horizontally; hollow out top and bottom, leaving a 3/4-in. shell (save removed bread for another use). , Place bread bottom on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese; top with sausage mixture and remaining cheese. Replace bread top. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 562 calories, Fat 31g fat (16g saturated fat), Cholesterol 91mg cholesterol, Sodium 1093mg sodium, Carbohydrate 44g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 26g protein.

HOMEMADE SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE (MILD OR HOT)

Homemade Sweet Italian Sausage (Mild or Hot) image

This is a very versatile Italian sausage which can be used in many different ways. You can take it from mild to hot and it's very easy to use. There are also different options for type of meat to use, like ground chuck or ground turkey (do not use ground beef). If using ground turkey, you'll have to coat your skillet with a little olive or veggie oil before cooking as it has very little fat and will stick to skillet.

Provided by Michelle Leigh Gossman

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 12h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

3 pounds ground pork
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 ¼ tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
¾ teaspoon ground fennel seed
¼ teaspoon brown sugar
⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon dried thyme

Steps:

Place the pork and red wine vinegar in a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, paprika, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, brown sugar, oregano, and thyme. Knead until flecks of spice are evenly distributed through the sausage.
Divide the sausage into thirds, and form into 3 logs; wrap each in plastic wrap. Place wrapped sausage into a freezer bag before freezing, or store in refrigerator for at least 12 hours before cooking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.1 calories, Carbohydrate 2.3 g, Cholesterol 73.6 mg, Fat 16.4 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 20.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 640.3 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

Tips:

To ensure even cooking, use a meat grinder with a 1/8-inch (3mm) grinding plate.
If you don't have a meat grinder, you can coarsely chop the pork and beef by hand.
Use a combination of ground pork and ground beef for the best flavor and texture.
Season the sausage generously with garlic, fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes.
Add a little bit of sugar to the sausage mixture to help balance out the flavors.
Mix the sausage thoroughly with your hands, but be careful not to overmix it.
Stuff the sausage into casings using a sausage stuffer.
If you don't have a sausage stuffer, you can use a piping bag fitted with a large tip.
Poach the sausage in simmering water for 15-20 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Grill or pan-fry the sausage until it is browned and crispy.
Serve the sausage with your favorite sides, such as peppers and onions, sauerkraut, or mashed potatoes.

Conclusion:

Homemade Italian sausage is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you are grilling it, pan-frying it, or adding it to your favorite pasta dish, this sausage is sure to please. So next time you are looking for a flavorful and easy-to-make meal, give this homemade Italian sausage recipe a try.