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Homemade Italian Sausage

Skip the trip to your local high-end supermarket, and make your own halal version of Italian sausages. Sweet and hot versions included.
Course Cooking Ingredients
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 kilogram

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons garlic finely minced
  • 2 tablespoon celery leaves finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons prune juice OR red grape juice
  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for hot Italian sausage
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried ground sage

Instructions
 

  • Remove the skin from the chicken thighs, and chop into small pieces.
  • Cut the chicken meat into 2-inch cubes.
  • In a dry skillet over medium high heat, add the black peppercorns and fennel seeds and toast, until fragrant and starting to smoke, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and pound coarsely using a pestle and mortar.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken meat, skin, and all the spices. Mix until thoroughly combined.
  • Place the chicken pieces in a single layer on a tray. Freeze uncovered, until partially frozen, about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
  • Working with half of the mixture at a time and keeping the rest in the freezer, run the seasoned meat pieces through your grinder.
  • Run the ground meat through the machine again to further emulsify the mixture.
  • 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.