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Making your own sausages at home is easier than you might think. Once you have chosen your meat, fat and sausage casing, the next important step is choosing the right spices and seasoning.
The seasoning you choose will have a big impact on the flavour, aroma and overall character of your finished sausages. Whether you prefer a traditional beef sausage, a classic pork sausage or something with a little more spice, choosing the right seasoning can make all the difference.
At Sausage Ingredients NZ, we make a range of sausage seasonings designed to make sausage making easier for both beginners and experienced home sausage makers.
When choosing a seasoning, think about the type of sausage you want to make and the flavour you enjoy.
A good sausage seasoning should:
You don’t need to be an expert in spices to make great sausages. A carefully blended sausage seasoning takes the guesswork out of combining individual spices.
Beef has a naturally rich and savoury flavour, so it works particularly well with robust herbs and spices.
For a traditional beef sausage, look for a seasoning with a balanced combination of savoury spices that enhances the beef without overpowering it.
This is a great all-round option for making traditional beef sausages at home. It provides a balanced flavour and is particularly suitable for beginners who want a reliable sausage seasoning without having to measure lots of individual spices.
If you are looking to make a preservative-free style beef sausage, choose a seasoning specifically formulated for this purpose.
For something different, a German-style bratwurst seasoning gives your sausages a more traditional European flavour, with herbs and spices that work beautifully with beef and other meats.
If you enjoy a bold and spicy sausage, Merguez is a great choice. This North African-inspired style brings warm spices and a distinctive flavour to your homemade sausages.
Pork is one of the most versatile meats for sausage making because its mild flavour works beautifully with herbs, garlic, fennel and warming spices.
If you prefer a traditional pork sausage, choose a seasoning that allows the natural pork flavour to come through.
A classic pork seasoning is a great place to start if you are new to sausage making. It gives you a traditional flavour without needing to create your own spice blend.
For something with a little more character, Maltese Pork seasoning provides a traditional-style flavour profile with herbs and spices that work particularly well with pork.
Fennel is a classic pairing with pork. If you enjoy Italian-style sausages, an Italian Pork & Fennel seasoning is an excellent choice for creating a fragrant, traditional-style sausage.
Cumberland-style sausages are known for their traditional British character and generous seasoning. This is another excellent option when you want something different from a standard pork sausage.
You can certainly create your own sausage seasoning by combining individual spices such as:
However, getting the balance right can take some experimenting.
For beginners, a ready-made sausage seasoning blend is often the easiest place to start. The spices have already been selected and blended to create a balanced flavour, meaning you can concentrate on choosing your meat, preparing your mixture and getting your sausages into the casing.
Think about the flavours you and your family enjoy.
If you like mild flavours:
Choose a traditional beef or pork seasoning with a balanced herb and spice profile.
If you like traditional European flavours:
Try German Bratwurst, Maltese Pork, Italian Pork & Fennel or Cumberland Pork.
If you like bold flavours:
Merguez is a great option when you want a more distinctive, heavily spiced sausage.
If you’re making sausages for children:
Start with a mild seasoning and avoid blends containing strong chilli or heat.
Every seasoning blend is different, so it is important to follow the mixing instructions supplied with your chosen seasoning.
Add your seasoning evenly through the minced meat and mix thoroughly. Good mixing helps distribute the spices throughout the meat so that every sausage has a consistent flavour.
Tip: Always cook a small test patty before filling your casings. This allows you to taste the seasoning and make adjustments before making the entire batch.
If this is your first time making sausages, don’t make it complicated.
We recommend starting with a flavour you already know you enjoy.
For beef:
Start with our Beef Sausage Seasoning 1–6 Gluten Free for a traditional, all-round beef sausage.
For pork:
Try our Classic Pork Sausage Seasoning for a simple traditional sausage.
Want something different?
Try Italian Pork & Fennel.
Try German Bratwurst.
Try Merguez for a bold, spicy flavour.
Try Maltese Pork.
Try Cumberland Pork.
Choosing a good seasoning is only one part of making great sausages. Your final result also depends on good-quality meat, the right amount of fat, good-quality casings, thorough mixing and correct cooking.
But choosing the right seasoning is a great place to start.
At Sausage Ingredients NZ, our sausage seasonings are made to help you create delicious homemade sausages without having to work out the perfect combination of individual spices yourself.
Choose your flavour, choose your meat, grab your casings and start making your own sausages at home!
The best spices depend on the type of sausage you want to make. Popular sausage spices include black pepper, garlic, paprika, coriander, fennel, onion, oregano and thyme. For beginners, a ready-made sausage seasoning blend is an easy way to achieve a balanced flavour without having to measure and combine lots of individual spices.
Beef has a rich, savoury flavour, so it works well with balanced herbs and spices. For a traditional beef sausage, our Beef Sausage Seasoning 1–6 Gluten Free is a great all-round choice. For something more distinctive, you could try German Bratwurst or Merguez.
Pork is very versatile and works particularly well with garlic, herbs, pepper and fennel. For a traditional flavour, try our Classic Pork Sausage Seasoning, or choose Maltese Pork, Italian Pork & Fennel or Cumberland Pork for something different.
For beginners, we recommend starting with a pre-blended sausage seasoning. The spices and herbs have already been selected and balanced, making it much easier to achieve consistent flavour in your sausages.
Think about the flavours you and your family enjoy. Choose a traditional or mild blend if you prefer subtle flavours, or try Merguez if you enjoy a stronger, spicier sausage.
Yes, you can experiment with additional spices once you are familiar with the flavour of the seasoning. However, we recommend making a small test batch first so you don’t overpower the original seasoning.
Fennel pairs beautifully with pork and is commonly used in Italian-style sausages. Garlic, black pepper and selected herbs can also complement the flavour. Our Italian Pork & Fennel Sausage Seasoning makes it easy to achieve this style at home.
Black pepper, garlic, paprika, coriander and selected herbs all work well with beef. The key is finding a balanced combination that enhances the flavour of the meat rather than overpowering it.
Always follow the mixing instructions on your particular seasoning, as different blends can have different recommended usage rates. For the best result, weigh your meat and measure the seasoning accurately.
Yes! This is one of the most important tips for beginners. Fry a small piece of your sausage mixture before stuffing the casings. You can then check the flavour and make any adjustments before making the entire batch.
Some seasonings are versatile and can work with different meats, while others are specifically designed for a particular style. Always check the product instructions and recommended meat before using a seasoning.
Consider:
🥩 The type of meat – beef, pork, chicken or a combination
🌿 The flavour – mild, traditional, herby or spicy
🌶️ The heat level – especially if making sausages for children
🇮🇹 The style – Italian, German, Cumberland, Maltese or other styles
👨🍳 Your experience – blended seasonings are particularly convenient for beginners
What is the easiest sausage seasoning for a beginner?
A mild, traditional seasoning is usually the easiest place to start. Our Beef Sausage Seasoning 1–6 Gluten Free is a good all-round option for beef, while Classic Pork Sausage Seasoning is a simple starting point for pork.
Absolutely! Once you are comfortable with the basics, try different seasoning styles and meats. Making sausages at home is a great way to experiment with flavours and develop your own favourite recipes.
Choose a flavour you already enjoy. Start with a good-quality, balanced seasoning, follow the instructions and always cook a small test patty before filling your casings. This makes sausage making much easier for beginners.
