Wild Game Sausage Recipes – Bratwurst, Salami and Ham
Making wild game sausage is one of the most exciting parts of sausage making for me. These wild game sausage recipes use the intense, distinctive flavor of game that you simply don’t get from domestic pork.
Here you’ll find my collection of wild game recipes, from hearty game bratwurst and cold-smoked wild boar salami to wild boar ham. There’s something for every game lover.
For more game recipes, I recommend my Wild Game ebook with 21 sausage and ham recipes.
The basics: working with wild game
Game is much leaner than pork. Without added fat, game sausage quickly becomes dry. I always mix in pork belly or fatty pork back, usually at a game-to-pork ratio of 60:40 or 70:30. Naturally, this varies by recipe.
Almost any game meat works for sausage: wild boar, roe deer, red deer, fallow deer or hare. Wild boar naturally has more fat and is easiest to work with. Roe deer and red deer are leaner and have a more delicate flavor, but definitely need added fat.
Tip: You can get game from a local hunter, game markets or a butcher. Just ask; many hunters sell directly. Make sure the meat has been handled cleanly and kept well chilled.
My wild game sausage recipes
Game bratwurst with your choice of meat
My classic game sausage. This bratwurst works with whatever game you have: roe deer, red deer or wild boar. Get the game bratwurst recipe.
Homemade roe deer bratwurst
Roe deer has a particularly delicate, mild game flavor. Combined with pork belly, it makes a juicy bratwurst that’s excellent on the grill. Get the roe deer bratwurst recipe.
Wild boar bratwurst – Simple and delicious
Wild boar is perfect for beginners because it naturally contains more fat than roe deer or red deer. The result is a juicy, hearty bratwurst with a full flavor. Get the wild boar bratwurst recipe.
Homemade wild boar salami
For me, cold-smoked wild boar salami is the ultimate game sausage. Maturing it takes patience, but the result is a flavorful delicacy you can’t buy quite like this. Get the wild boar salami recipe.
Homemade game liverwurst
Game liverwurst is a real delicacy and a perfect way to use game offal too. Fine, creamy and with a subtle game flavor. Get the game liverwurst recipe.
Homemade wild boar ham
Cured and smoked wild boar ham is a treat. The leg of a wild boar works beautifully for it. Get the wild boar ham recipe.
Homemade roe deer ham
A roe deer leg makes wonderfully tender game ham. Cured and smoked, it’s a highlight of any cold supper. Get the roe deer ham recipe.
More wild game sausage recipes for inspiration
Besides my own recipes, there are a few more interesting game sausage recipes I’d like to share:
Wild boar Mettwurst
Fresh wild boar makes excellent Mettwurst. Get the wild boar Mettwurst recipe.
Cold-smoked game salami
The cooler months are perfect for cold smoking. Find a cold-smoked game salami recipe here.
Homemade red deer salami
Red deer, pork belly, sweet paprika and fresh garlic: after about a month of maturation, this salami develops its full flavor. Get the red deer salami recipe.
Homemade game sausage
DJZ editor Armin Liese shows that making game sausage can be easier than you think. See his game sausage recipe.
Wild Game: 21 sausage and ham recipes
For more game recipes, I recommend my Wild Game ebook. It contains 21 tried-and-tested recipes, including red deer salami, game Mettwurst and many more variations.
Frequently asked questions
Which game meat works best for sausage?
Wild boar, roe deer and red deer work best. Wild boar naturally contains more fat and is easiest to work with. Roe deer and red deer are leaner and need more added fat from pork belly, but give a more delicate flavor.
Why do game sausage recipes need pork?
Game is very lean. Without added fat, the sausage becomes dry and crumbly. Pork belly or fatty pork back gives it juiciness and helps the mixture bind. Most recipes use a game-to-pork ratio of 60:40 to 70:30.
Can you smoke game sausage?
Yes, game sausage is excellent for smoking. Cold smoking works particularly well for salami and raw cured sausages, such as my wild boar salami. Hot smoking suits bratwurst and liverwurst. Beech or alder pairs best with game.
How long does homemade game sausage keep?
It depends on the sausage type. Fresh game bratwurst keeps in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. Smoked raw cured sausages such as salami keep for several months in cool, dry storage. Cured and smoked wild boar ham also keeps for weeks.
Can I make red deer salami at home?
Yes, red deer salami follows the same principle as wild boar salami: mix red deer meat with pork belly, season, fill casings and cold smoke. You’ll find a detailed recipe in my Wild Game ebook.
