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Learn how to remove sausage casing easily with this simple method. This quick kitchen tip shows you how to remove the casing without wasting the sausage meat, so it’s ready for your favorite recipes.
How To Remove Casing From Sausage
If you have sausage that you want to use as loose meat, there is no need to buy a separate package of ground sausage. How to remove casing from sausage is a simple kitchen technique that lets you use the sausage meat on its own, whether you’re working with individual sausages or sausage links.
I use this method when a recipe calls for loose sausage meat, especially for dishes where I want the seasoning and flavor already packed into the sausage. Once the casing is removed, the meat can be cooked and crumbled just like ground sausage and used in sausage gravy, pasta sauce, casseroles, stuffing, meatballs, and more.
The type of casing can vary from one sausage to another. Some casings peel away easily, while others can stick to the meat. For the cleanest results, I find it easier to work with the sausage while it is still slightly frozen. The firmer texture makes the casing easier to cut without making the sausage meat too soft.
Sidenote: My sausage gravy recipe is coming next, so this technique will come in handy if you want to make it with sausage links instead of buying ground sausage.
How To Remove Sausage Casing
Take the sausage out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes. You want it slightly softened but still firm enough to handle. Find the knotted end of the casing to get started.
Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cut along the casing from one end of the sausage to the other. Keep the knife just deep enough to pierce the casing without cutting into the sausage meat.
Pro Tip: You only need to cut through the casing. A shallow, clean cut makes it easier to peel away without slicing into the sausage meat.
Once the casing is cut, gently peel it back from the sausage, starting at the cut end. Work your way along the sausage and peel slowly, especially if the casing is sticking to the meat. Remove and discard the casing. The sausage meat is now ready to cook and use in your favorite recipes.
Pro Tip: Some casings peel away easily, while others can stick to the sausage. If it does not come off cleanly, peel it back gradually rather than pulling hard.
How To Remove Sausage Casing
Ingredients
- sausage
Instructions
- Let the frozen sausage sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Find the knotted end of the sausage casing.
- Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cut along the casing from the knotted end to the other end of the sausage. Be careful not to cut into the sausage.
- Gently peel the casing away from the sausage. Some casings may come off easily, while others may be a little harder to remove. Discard the casing. The sausage is now ready to use in your favorite recipes, such as sausage gravy.
