Caribou Sausage with Berries
Caribou Recipe
1Setup & Prepare
About This Recipe
Ground caribou mixed with pork fat, dried berries, and aromatics creates flavorful sausages perfect for breakfast, dinner, or preserving. The berries add sweetness that balances savory spices while honoring traditional flavor combinations.
Cultural Context
Sausage making represents a traditional preservation method that stretches meat while adding fat and flavor. This recipe combines Indigenous ingredients like caribou and wild berries with European sausage-making techniques, creating a distinctly northern flavor profile.
2Ingredients
Shopping List
3Cooking Instructions
-
Preparation: Keep all ingredients very cold. Soak hog casings in warm water if using.
-
Mixing: In large bowl, combine caribou and pork fat. Add all seasonings, syrup, and berries.
-
Blending: Mix thoroughly with hands until evenly combined and mixture becomes slightly sticky.
-
Testing: Fry small patty to test seasoning. Adjust as needed.
-
Stuffing (if using casings): Thread casing onto sausage stuffer. Fill with meat mixture, twisting into 5-inch links.
-
Resting: Refrigerate sausages uncovered for 4 hours to dry slightly.
-
Cooking: Pan-fry over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through to 160°F.
-
Service: Serve hot with eggs for breakfast or with roasted vegetables for dinner.
4Chef's Notes & Pairings
Chef's Notes
- Keep everything cold when making sausage
- Pork fat is essential for moisture in lean caribou
- Can form into patties if casings unavailable
- Freeze uncooked sausages for later use
Wine Pairing
Off-dry Gewürztraminer or Pinot Gris complements the berries and spices.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving: 380 calories, 32g protein, 24g fat, 12g carbohydrates. High in protein and healthy fats.
