Meat cuts for Bratwurst

[majkeli]

I'm ready to grind up some meat for homemade bratwurst, but I'm not sure which cuts of veal and pork would be most appropriate. Could someone help me out?

Thanks!

[rlibkind]

The cheaper the better. Certainly not lean cuts. Remember that sausage-making began with using scraps of meat (and fat and connective tissue) that otherwise couldn't be utilized efficiently. If you're not butchering your own animals and making use of scraps, I would imagine that among the more commonly available cuts, shoulder (butt on pork) and neck meat would be best. Just be sure to have an adequate amount of fat in the mix. That varies with taste, but I would think 25-30 percent by weight in the raw mix would work; some pork-based sausages designed for cooking are up to 35 percent fat before hitting the heat. Since fresh pork shoulder is only about 15-17 percent fat and veal considerably leaner, make sure to add enough extra fat to reach the desired percentage. To my taste, using too little fat is worse than using a little too much because it creates a dry, tougher product.

[RobertCollins]

According to Mr.s Ruhlman and Polcyn, Pork shoulder butt and veal and pork back fat in a ratio of 3:1:1. This from pg 121 of their book CHARCUTERIE.

Edited August 15, 2007 by RobertCollins (log)

[majkeli]

Pork butt and back fat are easy to come by, but would I be able to get a veal shoulder? The best butcher around here went out of business, and the only one left within 30 miles is run out of the butcher's house and his selection is quite limited. I suppose he could order a veal cut for me. If not I may be shopping for this at Costco, is there some common cut I could substitute for veal neck or shoulder?

Thanks for the help!

[rlibkind]

Don't go crazy trying to find the veal. Make it all pork. Maybe you can find a veal breast; depending on the neighborhood, they are either cheap or mid-priced. (Around my neighborhood they're in demand, so they aren't exactly an inexpensive cut, but still offers decent value.)

[qrn]

Butt aka Boston butt , is pork shoulder...

veal is essentially tastless so all it is is filler..you can use chicken or turkey. I leave it all out and use just pork...

Bud