Texas Smoked Hot Links

I love a good Texas style hot link sausage, in my area of Texas really good ones are hard to find. Now if I lived closer to the Texas Hill country things would be different. There are many German sausage makers located there. So whats up, I made my own. I have made lots of sausage but never hot links. I will admit I need to hone my sausage stuffing skills. I didn't take many photos Just forgot until I was almost finished.
These were pretty good but something was missing. So if anybody has a hot link recipe you are proud of and don't mind shearing it, please post it. Here are the photos I did take, and the recipe. I finished with 20 pounds of links mostly already gone. Thanks Bill

Out of the Smoker:

Packaged Freezer Ready:

The Recipe:

Genuine Texas Hotlinks

5 pounds Boston butt
2 pounds lean beef
1 bottle ice cold beer
2 tablespoons ground black pepper
2 tablespoons crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole mustard seeds
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons ground thyme
6 teaspoons Morton's Tender Quick

Mix all the spices, cure, and garlic into the beer and place in refrigerator while you cut up the meats into grinder sized pieces. Pour the spiced beer on the cut meat and mix it up good. Run spiced meat mixture through the grinder coarse or medium plate and stuff into medium hog casings. Smoke or slow grill till they are done

Venison Sausage

This was one of those projects that was sure to bring some rewards. GOOD EATS !!
I thought why not I have every thing I need. So I kept busy in the pantry for a while gathering all the spices I might need. Now to bring out all the equipment, I have to keep it in the garage. (Wife's instructions)
Not really true, we just don't have room in the kitchen. Someday I hope to have a smoking and sausage making space just for me.
Anyway, got the venison and pork fat ground. Mixed the spices with water and poured over the ground meat. Added Red Chile Flakes and Cheese.  Began the mixing process but the meat was pretty dry, added more water. Stuffed into 3" collagen casings. Got my son to help, our stuffer is not motor powered. Enjoy Bill

Ready for smoke:

Ready for some good eats:

The Recipe:

 Beef or venison Sausage

This recipe is for 5 pounds meat plus fat. Fat content should be at least 20%

Ingredients

5 pound of venison or beef

1 pound of pork fat

5 teaspoon table salt (or to taste)

1 teaspoon ground thyme

1 teaspoon ground marjoram

1 teaspoon ground sage

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

2 Tablespoon red Chile flakes

8 oz. high melt cheddar cheese (can also use grated cheese)

½ cup cold water

* 1 teaspoon of cure #1 if sausage is to be smoked

Option: whole pepper corns can also be added

Directions

Cube and grind the meat through medium size plate.

Place ground meat into a large container.

Add all spices with the water and mix well. Add cheese and spice mixture to the ground meat.

Mix until well blended.

Reminder: Be sure and add the cure #1 if sausage is to be smoked.

This recipe makes great links or can be made into logs or patties.