This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

Homemade sausage is a great way to use less expensive cuts of meat to make something delicious, and homemade is best because you know exactly what went into it! We grew up eating homemade sausages and my Mother taught me how to make this classic Russian kolbasa (kielbasa).

This generations old sausage method combines ground and diced meats for a more rustic and hearty sausage. Watch the video tutorial on how to make homemade sausage and you will be a pro in no time!

Hantman style Vacuum Sausage filler

Watch How to Make Homemade Sausage Video:

When making sausage, the more fat you can get in your meat, the better. If you are using a leaner beef or pork, add bacon so you don’t end up with a tough/dry sausage. It is absolutely key to have your meat very cold and grinder parts chilled. The process will be way easier if you take this advise, otherwise it can back up in the meat grinder and leave you frustrated and discouraged (been there, done that!).

Ingredients for Homemade Sausage (Kielbasa)

2 lbs pork with fat (1/4 diced, 3/4 ground)*
2 lbs well marbled beef  (1/4 diced, 3/4 ground)*
6-12 oz bacon, optional – use if meats are leaner (can be frozen)
3 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp whole yellow mustard seed
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash or favorite salt free seasoning
1 cup ice cold water
2 natural hog casings (about 10-12 feet total)**

What you’ll need:

Sausage poker, optional but nice
Meat grinder with sausage attachment

Recipe Notes:

*I used boneless country style ribs. Any pork cut wth a lot of fat would work well.

*Use a well marbled beef with higher fat content. This beef bottom round was on the leaner side so I added the bacon.

**Casings can be purchased online or at your local butcher. Leftover salted casings can be resealed in their bag and stored in the refrigerator for many years.

How to Bake Homemade Sausage:

Line a large rimmed baking dish or roasting pan with parchment paper, trimming paper so it doesn’t hang over the edges. Arrange sausage over paper and bake in preheated oven at 350˚F for 1 hour. Drain off excess liquid. Flip the sausage over and broil 5 min. Flip sausage over again and broil additional 5 min or until browned.

How to Grill Sausages:

For Easter, my husband grilled the sausage and we put them in a deep roasting pan in a single layer, poured in 1/4″ deep of beer and sprinkled 1 tsp mustard seeds into the liquid. My husband placed the pans on the grill covered for 20 minutes over medium/high heat, flipping over halfway. Then he removed the pans and transferred the sausage directly over the grill to brown the outsides (5 min per side). The sausages were supremely juicy and delicious!