smoked sausage recipe

### Smoked Sausage **Ingredients:** - 3 pounds ground pork (or a mix of pork and beef) - 2 tablespoons kosher salt - 1 tablespoon black pepper - 1 tablespoon paprika - 1 tablespoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon dried thyme - 1 teaspoon dried sage - 1 teaspoon brown sugar - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat) - 1/4 cup ice-cold water - Sausage casings (if making links) **Instructions:** 1. **Prepare the meat:** In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sage, brown sugar, and red pepper flakes. Mix well. 2. **Add water:** Gradually add the ice-cold water to the mixture, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. 3. **Stuff the casings:** If you’re making sausage links, soak the sausage casings in warm water until pliable. Rinse the inside of each casing with warm water. Using a sausage stuffer, fill the casings with the meat mixture, taking care not to overstuff. Twist the sausages into links of your desired length. 4. **Prepare the smoker:** Preheat your smoker to 225°F (110°C). Use wood chips like hickory, apple, or cherry for added flavor.