Kentucky Grilled Venison Sausage Links with Mustard Sauce

Introduction

Nothing beats the flavor of homemade Kentucky grilled venison sausage links seared to perfection on the Arteflame grill. The combination of high heat for searing and the flat cooktop for finishing ensures juicy, flavorful sausage links with a crispy bite. Paired with a tangy mustard sauce, this dish is perfect for any cookout.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs venison sausage links
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the napkins in the center of the grill and stack firewood on top.
3. Light the napkins and allow the fire to heat up the grill for about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the mustard sauce

1. In a small bowl, mix Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
2. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and set aside.

Step 3: Sear the venison sausage links

1. Place venison sausage links on the center grill grate and sear them at high heat (around 1,000°F) for about 2 minutes per side.
2. Sear until you get a rich, golden-brown crust on all sides.

Step 4: Finish cooking on the flat cooktop

1. Move the seared sausages to the flat cooktop surrounding the grill grate.
2. Lower heat by placing them toward the outer edges and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 150°F.
3. Remove them from the grill when the internal temperature reaches 135°F to allow for carryover cooking.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy

1. Plate the grilled venison sausage links.
2. Drizzle or serve with mustard sauce on the side.
3. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.

Tips

• Let the venison sausages rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.
• Use high-quality firewood for clean and consistent heat.
• Butter gives a richer flavor than oil for grilling—try brushing some butter over the sausages before serving.

Variations

1. Spicy Bourbon Sausages: Add 1 tbsp of Kentucky bourbon and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper to the mustard sauce for a smoky kick.
2. Applewood Smoked Sausages: Use applewood firewood for subtle fruity smokiness in the sausage flavor.
3. Maple-Glazed Sausages: Swap honey with maple syrup for a rich, sweet flavor.
4. Herb Butter Sausages: Melt together butter, rosemary, and thyme, then brush over the sausages before serving.
5. Garlic Parmesan Sausages: Sprinkle fresh-grated Parmesan and minced garlic over sausages after grilling.

Conclusion

Grilled Kentucky venison sausage links cooked on the Arteflame grill offer unmatched flavor and juiciness. By searing them at high heat and finishing them on the flat cooktop, you achieve the perfect bite. Serve these sausages with a rich mustard sauce for a dish that's perfect for any outdoor cookout.

Best pairings

• Grilled corn on the cob brushed with butter
• Charred Brussels sprouts with bacon
• Smoky grilled sweet potatoes
• A glass of Kentucky bourbon