Uncovering Where Earl Campbell Sausage is Made

As a longtime fan of Earl Campbell sausage I was curious to learn more about where this tasty smoked meat is made. In my research, I discovered the facility where this Texas legend’s sausage links are crafted with care and smoked to perfection.

In this article, I’ll share insights into the Earl Campbell sausage making process, from the supplier relationships to the state-of-the-art factory where the recipes come to life. Whether you’re a fellow sausage devotee or just appreciate great food stories, read on to find out where the magic happens!

Earl Campbell’s Legendary Career

Before we dive into sausage production, it’s worth revisiting Earl Campbell’s iconic career. He played professional football as a running back for the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints in the late 1970s and 1980s

With his formidable strength and determination, Campbell barreled through defenses earning him nicknames like the “Tyler Rose” and “King Campbell.” He racked up numerous accolades including NFL Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Offensive Player of the Year honors. To this day, Earl Campbell remains one of the most beloved legends in Texas football.

Launching the Earl Campbell Sausage Brand

After retiring from football in 1986, Campbell focused his energy on a new pursuit – gourmet smoked meats. He teamed up with the Connell family in Tyler, Texas to develop premium sausage recipes.

In 1990, Earl Campbell Sausage made its debut. The brand quickly earned a following for its Signature Hot Links, Smoked Polish Sausage, Smoked Jalapeno Sausage, and other mouth-watering varieties. Even with fame on the field, Earl has called the success of his sausage company one of his proudest accomplishments.

Supplying the Finest Ingredients

From the beginning, Campbell prioritized using high-quality meats in his sausage The brand maintains close relationships with suppliers to source premium cuts of beef, pork, and poultry. Campbell also insisted on avoiding MSG, preservatives, and artificial flavors to create all-natural smoked sausage

To achieve Campbell’s signature spice blends, the sausage makers carefully select special seasonings and peppers. They test every batch to ensure the seasoning provides just the right amount of tang without overpowering the juicy smoked meat flavors.

Where the Sausage Magic Occurs

Earl Campbell smoked sausages and wieners are produced at the state-of-the-art processing facility of Texas Traditions in Corsicana, Texas.

This factory opened in 2010 with cutting-edge smoking technology and quality control processes. Operations run 5 days a week supported by over 100 employees dedicated to sausage-making excellence.

Inside this 20,000 square foot facility, premium meats are combined with Campbell’s special seasoning recipes in large mixing machines. The sausage batter is fed into high-tech stuffers to fill the casings. All varieties then slowly cure and smoke in enormous climate-controlled ovens.

Throughout the process, the internal temperature and humidity levels are meticulously controlled. This ensures every sausage cooks under optimal conditions to seal in juiciness. The facility’s automated overhead delivery system also maximizes production efficiency.

Stringent Food Safety Standards

In addition to leveraging modern manufacturing technology, the Texas Traditions factory adheres to extremely stringent food safety protocols. Their policies meet or exceed the regulations set by FDA and USDA.

The processing environment and equipment are meticulously sanitized multiple times per day. Workers follow strict protective garment requirements and hand washing procedures. Raw and finished products are kept completely separated throughout the facility.

Regular product testing and swabbing is performed for pathogen and quality control. Thanks to this vigilance, Earl Campbell sausages have an impeccable food safety record.

Distribution Reaching sausage Lovers Nationwide

Once the sausages finish curing and smoking, they are vacuum-packed by high-speed automation equipment. Packing the links in vacuum bags locks in freshness and extends shelf life.

From the Texas Traditions factory, Earl Campbell sausage products ship to retail outlets across Texas and beyond. The brand has expanded distribution nationwide in recent years through partnerships with mass retailers like Walmart, H-E-B, Kroger, and Albertsons.

So no matter where you live, you can now enjoy these Texas-sized smoked sausages! Just fire up the backyard grill or stovetop skillet to sizzle and serve.

Keeping an Unmatched Sausage Legacy

Earl Campbell hit a home run by transferring his excellence on the football field into the world of specialty foods. His commitment to quality and doing things the right way has built an unmatched sausage legacy.

It makes me smile knowing where the sausage magic happens in that leading-edge Texas factory. Next time I bite into a juicy Earl Campbell link, I’ll appreciate even more the care that goes into crafting a heavenly smoked sausage.