Sausage is a versatile meat that can be used in many dishes, from breakfast tacos to hearty pasta sauce. While sausage is often simply sliced and pan-fried, pureeing it opens up a whole new world of culinary possibilities. Pureed sausage can be used to add rich flavor and creamy texture to soups, dips, spreads, and more.
If you’re new to pureeing sausage, don’t worry – it’s easy to do with just a few simple tools. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the entire process step-by-step, from choosing the right sausage to pureeing methods and recipe ideas. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Best Sausage for Pureeing
Not all sausages are created equal when it comes to pureeing. Here are a few tips for selecting the right sausage:
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Pork sausage tends to be the best choice as it has a good balance of fat and texture. Pork breakfast sausage or sweet Italian sausage work very well.
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Avoid pre-cooked sausages like kielbasa or smoked sausage, as they often become tough and rubbery when pureed. Go for raw sausage instead.
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Milder flavors puree more smoothly than spicy sausages. Save the chorizo or andouille for another use.
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Meat content matters Look for sausages with a high meat content and minimal fillers or breadcrumbs This contributes to a smoother puree.
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Consider ground versus links. Ground sausage is often easier to puree than sausage links with casings. However, links can work if you remove the casings first.
With the right sausage selected, it’s time to start prepping it for pureeing.
Prepping and Cooking the Sausage
Proper cooking is crucial when pureeing sausage. Undercooked sausage may contain harmful bacteria, while overcooked sausage can become tough and dry. Follow these steps:
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Remove sausage from casings if using links. Simply snip the casing with a knife or kitchen shears and squeeze out the meat.
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Cut sausage into 1-inch chunks. This makes it easier to puree smoothly.
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Cook the sausage thoroughly either by sautéing in a skillet, boiling in water or broth, or baking in the oven. Cook until no longer pink inside.
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Allow the sausage to cool slightly before pureeing. Pureeing piping hot sausage can lead to a runny or separated texture.
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Reserve a bit of the cooking liquid like broth or water to add while pureeing. This helps create a smooth consistency.
With properly cooked and cooled sausage, it’s time to puree it up!
Pureeing Methods and Tips
You have a few options when it comes to the actual pureeing process. Here are some methods to try:
Food processor: This is the easiest and most effective option. Simply add chunks of cooked, cooled sausage and pulse a few times until it reaches a smooth consistency, scraping down sides as needed. Add cooking liquid 1-2 tablespoons at a time if mixture is too thick.
Blender: A blender also works well, following the same method of blending in batches and adding liquid as needed. Make sure to secure the lid tightly!
Immersion blender: For small batches, an immersion blender placed directly into the cooked sausage can create an easy puree. Add liquid as needed to reach desired consistency.
Potato masher or fork: In a pinch, you can mash the sausage by hand with a masher or fork. It will yield a chunkier texture but can work when pureed smoothness isn’t necessary.
A few other pureeing tips:
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Process in batches for the smoothest consistency. Don’t overfill the bowl.
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Add liquid gradually. Broth, milk, or water all work well.
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Puree until completely smooth, at least 1-2 minutes. Check for any chunks.
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Adjust consistency as needed with more liquid for thinner purees or less for thicker dips.
And that’s it – with these simple steps you can easily puree sausage for any recipe. Now let’s look at some of the many ways to use sausage puree.
Creative Ways to Use Pureed Sausage
The possibilities are nearly endless when it comes to using pureed sausage. Here are just a few ideas to get your creativity flowing:
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Hearty tomato sauce: Puree sautéed sausage with crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, and red wine for a rich Bolognese-style pasta sauce.
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Creamy sausage gravy: Whisk the sausage puree into a classic Southern-style gravy with milk, flour, and seasonings to top biscuits.
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Savory breakfast omelet: Mix puree into whisked eggs before cooking up a sausage omelet filled with cheese and veggies.
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Smoky potato soup: Puree into a creamy potato or lentil soup along with vegetables and broth for a smoky flavor boost.
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Deeply flavorful chili: Add depth of flavor to beef or turkey chili by blending in a bit of sausage puree.
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Sausage ragu dip: Cook puree with tomato paste, red wine, cream cheese, and herbs. Serve warm with bread or crackers for dipping.
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Stuffed peppers or squash: Fill halved peppers or acorn squash with a mixture of sausage puree, rice, cheese, and seasonings before baking.
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Sausage pizza topping: Spread puree over the pizza crust, then add toppings for a meaty base layer under the cheese.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking with pureed sausage. It’s an easy way to instantly add flavor, texture, and protein to many dishes across cuisines.
The next time you prepare sausage, set some aside to puree. Portion and freeze any extra so it’s ready to use anytime a recipe calls for convenient, creamy sausage flavor. Get creative with your own recipes and enjoy the delicious versatility of pureed sausage!
How to Puree Meat
FAQ
Can you puree sausage patties?
What would you use for pureeing?
How to make a meat puree?
To make a meat puree, use a blender or food processor to pulverize the meat until it has a grain-like, almost powdery texture. Then, add heated liquid of your choice (broth, milk, gravy, etc.) and reblend.
How do you puree meat in a blender?
To puree meat in a blender, first cook it until soft and cut into small chunks. Then, place the meat into the blender or food processor. Add a little liquid and puree or blend. Keep adding a little liquid until you have a smooth puree. Pureeing meat in a blender can be a little tricky.
How much liquid is required to puree meat?
To process meat into a smooth puree, you’ll need 1/4 cup of liquid per 1 cup of meat. Add this liquid while blending, regardless of the type of meat. Choose from among the following liquids: Chill your meat before pureeing.
How do you puree meat without a food processor?
If you don’t have a food processor, you can still puree meat using a blender. However, the resulting puree may not be as silky-smooth as puree made in a food processor. Blend the meat until it’s powdery.