How to Make the Best Summer Sausage & Cabbage Recipe

Who loves easy & quick meals???

This little momma sure does!  With a family of 6, homeschooling, running a farm and online businesses, I need all the quick recipes that I can find.  And, this Summer Sausage & Cabbage recipe is great with only 3 ingredients with a little oil and salt/pepper.  “How to Make the Best Summer Sausage & Cabbage Recipe”

Plus, it is a one skillet meal.  So, the clean up is rather simple too.

What is in a Summer Sausage & Cabbage Casserole – 3 Simple Ingredients

• Cabbage
• Summer Sausage (from your local grocery store or homemade summer sausage)
• Onion
• plus seasonings:  black pepper and table salt

I begin by warming a little oil in a large skillet. Any oil that you prefer could be used in this recipe. However, I like the taste of olive oil.  Another oil that would be good is avocado oil, both of these oils would be delicious in this recipe. 

What seasonings can I add to my sausage and cabbage?

The most commonly used spices are salt and black pepper, however there are so many more spices at your local grocery stores.  I have name a few spices that are not in this recipe:

• table salt
• black pepper
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• herb seasoning blends
• red pepper flakes
• liquid smoke

What supplies do I need to make a Summer sausage and cabbage recipe:

• large skillet or large cast iron skillet
• wooden spoon
• large cutting board
• sharp knife
• large bowl

Scroll down for printable recipe card

Coconut Oil is the only oil I find that doesn’t work to heat to high setting, so I would not suggest it. But, there are plenty of other options to choose from at your local supermarket.

After the oil heats up, I like to add my onion. I love sauteed onion! So, I will saute my onion until it is golden brown. Now, some people like my husband do not like their onion “burnt” as he calls it, but I love them brown and sweet. I believe this brings out the sweet flavor in onions, especially yellow onions.

After the onions are caramelized, I then add the cabbage and summer sausage. 

Then, I place a lid on top and let it all simmer until the cabbage is soft. Stirring ever so often to distribute the oil on all the cabbage.

My girls like this dish a little on the sweet side, so an option is too add a sweetener, about 1 Tablespoon or to taste. They use sugar, but a sugar substitute would work great. My go to sugar substitute is Pyure granular.

What can I replace my Summer sausage with?

• venison summer sausage or game meat
• fresh sausage
• ground beef
• beef sticks or snack sticks

Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage

How do I make homemade Summer sausage?

I have listed a little bit of some ingredients and supplies, but you can go online and find a good recipe for homemade summer sausage.  The already made sausage at the supermarket makes this recipe a lot easier.

• Ingredients:  choose a type of meat:  ground meat, wild game, pork butt, mixture of pork, choice grade chuck roast, beef fat, pork fat
• Spices:  curing salts, mustard seed, black pepper, coriander, allspice, garlic, curing/preservative 
• Supplies:  meat grinder, fibrous casings, sausage stuffer, meat mixer, stand mixer, electric smoker, mixing bowl

How do I make Summer sausage and cabbage recipe? (scroll down for recipe card)

1. Take a large cutting board and a sharp knife.  
2. Cut up the cabbage, room temperature Summer sausage and onion
3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil
4. Once olive oil is hot add the onions
5. Saute onions until are they are translucent 
6. Add chopped cabbage, Summer sausage and spices
7. Cover skillet with lid and simmer until cabbage is tender – cooking time will vary for cabbage

Summer sausage and cabbage Q&A’s!

Do I have to make my own summer sausage?  NO!  This easy beef summer sausage recipe can be made with summer sausage that you purchase from your local grocery stores.

Why is it called Summer sausage?  At one time the preservation method would allow the sausage to keep from spoiling during the summer months.

Can I eat Summer sausage raw?  Yes, since the sausage has already been cooked during the sausage making process.

Does Summer sausage need to be cooked?  No, the cooking process was taken place when the meat was cured.

What’s in Summer sausage?  A meat mixture of beef meat, pork trimmings, spices, optional cheddar cheese and peppers

What are the little balls in Summer sausage?  Mustard seeds

Does Summer sausage go bad?  The shelf life of summer sausage is 3 months.

What is the best cut of meat for summer sausage?  For delicious summer sausage the best cut of meat is beef chuck.

Can I eat summer sausage the next day?  Yes, as long as the sausage has been kept in the refrigerator or freezer.

How do I store summer sausage leftovers?  Leftovers can be place in an airtight container, Zip-loc bag, placed in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.  The leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and up to 3 months in the freezer.  

How long does summer sausage last in the refrigerator?  Leftovers will stay good in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and up to 3 months in the freezer.  

What is the internal temperature of the sausage?  145-155 or higher.

What is sodium nitrite?  Is a preservative to cure meats.

What is encapsulated citric acid?  Adds a tangy flavor to cured meats.

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