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What to Eat with Summer Sausage

There are quite a few different options you can eat with summer sausage. It partly depends on whether you want it for an appetizer or a meal. I’ve listed some favorite things to serve with summer sausage below.

summer sausage on a cutting board

One of the things I love about delicious summer sausage is that it’s yummy when it’s cold right out of the refrigerator during the summer months. You can also serve it at room temperature on charcuterie boards. 

Or you can warm it up over medium heat for a few minutes. That’s completely up to you and how you like it. The only time I would heat it up is during late fall or early winter when hot food can help warm you up from the inside.

summer sausage in package

Delicious Summer Sausage

There are so many occasions when summer sausage is the perfect food to have on hand. When you see them on sale at the grocery store, pick up a few. As long as they’re unsliced, they should last a long time.

Whether you serve it with your favorite wine, cold beer, or soft drinks, a good summer sausage is absolutely delicious.

charcuterie board with sausage, crackers, cheese, olives, and pickles

I like to add them to a charcuterie board, sliced really thin and paired with a variety of other appetizers. It’s easy to slice, either with a mandolin or a very sharp chef’s knife.

You can also bring them along next time you go camping. Pull out your pocket knife and put it to work.

Something I have to resist is the urge to eat the whole thing as I’m cutting it. Summer sausage is so good that it’s tempting. Don’t forget to remove the outer wrapping.

cutting summer sausage on cutting board

Choose from a variety of different types of summer sausages. Here are some we like:

  • Traditional summer sausage
  • Summer sausage with garlic and fresh herbs
  • Summer sausage with dried cranberries
  • Summer sausage with cheese
  • Spicy sausage with jalapeños
  • Venison summer sausage
  • Traditional German-Style Summer Sausage

Cheese

When I think of summer sausage, I can’t help but also think about cheese—any kind of cheese. We like it with cheddar, pepper jack, and gouda.

It’s also good with these delicious crunchy low-carb cheese crisps. They’re super easy, and you can make them ahead of time.

cheese crisps on a paper towel

In fact, when I make a charcuterie board for a crowd, I like to offer a variety of cheeses so everyone can enjoy their favorite combination.

Summer sausage really dresses up cheese boards and provides a heartier option for everyone to enjoy. A cheese platter really is more special when you add more delicious foods to the offering.

Or you can have a variety of charcuterie boards—one with meats, one with cheese, and another with fruits and vegetables. Add some crackers and slices of artisan bread to take them to next-level goodness.

This bacon ranch cheeseball from Back to My Southern Roots is also good on a charcuterie board.

Even if you’re serving a basic cheese and cracker tray, it’s fun to offer some delicious summer sausage on the side.

charcuterie board with summer sausage, cheese, and crackers

Breads and Crackers

Summer sausage goes with almost any type of bread, so find interesting varieties to serve with it.

We also enjoy adding some crackers to the mix. The crunch of the cracker adds texture to the chewiness of the summer sausage.

Vegetables

I love adding crunchy or squishy vegetables to a charcuterie board with summer sausage. In addition to adding texture and color, they make the board much healthier.

Here are some of my veggie must-haves:

  • Celery sticks
  • Sliced carrots
  • Broccoli florets
  • Tomatoes
  • Bell pepper strips (red, yellow, and green pepper for extra color)
  • Green onions

Fruit

The sweetness of fruit adds even more dimension to summer sausage. And it also helps cleanse the palate between bites of the savory options.

Add a bowl of either yogurt or your favorite dip to take this option to another level of deliciousness!

Here are some easy and delicious fruits to eat with summer sausage:

  • Grapes
  • Strawberries
  • Blueberries
  • Cantaloupe balls
  • Watermelon wedges
  • Kiwi slices
3 fruit kabobs with a small bowl of vanilla yogurt

Condiments

The sky’s the limit when you’re looking for condiments to eat with summer sausage. Since the sausage, cheese, bread, and crackers will take up most of the space on a charcuterie board, I like to fill in with various condiments.

Here are some we like:

  • Mustard – Use Dijon mustard, spicy brown mustard, or honey mustard to add flavor to the summer sausage.
  • Mayonnaise – Creamy smooth mayonnaise is good on its own or along with mustard.
  • Pickles – Both sweet pickles and dill pickles offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the summer sausage.
  • Olives – Provide both green olives and black olives for a nice hint of salt and extra flavor.

Easy Meals with Summer Sausage

Most of the time, I think of summer sausage as an appetizer. However, it can also be the best part of an easy meal. It’s a great way to avoid heating up the kitchen during the warmer months.

Here are some things you can serve alongside summer sausage when you want to incorporate it into a meal:

Tortilla Chips – I make batches of these corn tortilla chips in my air fryer. They’re much better than the packaged version.

plate of tortilla chips
Corn Tortilla Chips

Almond Flour Tortillas – Whether you need to be gluten-free or you like to try something different, these almond flour tortillas are delicious!

almond flour tortilla on a plate with a knife and butter

Cloud Bread – Light, fluffy, and wonderful to serve with any meal, this cloud bread is one of the best “bread” alternatives I’ve tried.

cloud bread

Egg Salad – Egg salad is good in a sandwich or eaten with a fork! And this recipe is so yummy!

bowl of egg salad

Potato Salad – I like to offer a large bowl of my mama’s yummy potato salad because it disappears quickly. It’s important to have enough for everyone.

bowl and plate of potato salad

Watermelon Cucumber Salad – When you serve summer sausage during the warmer months, this yummy salad adds a refreshing touch to the meal.

Watermelon cucumber salad with feta cheese and basil

Broccoli Slaw – Packed with flavor, this colorful salad is always a humongous hit!

bowls of broccoli slaw

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes – I’ve included these yummy bacon stuffed tomatoes because they’re loaded with flavor, color, and nutrients … and of course, bacon.

small plate of bacon and cream cheese stuffed tomatoes on a bed of spinach leaves

So Many Options to Eat with Summer Sausage

There are way more options to pair with delicious summer sausage than I have room to include here. Don’t be afraid to try something that sounds good to you.

sausage, cheese, crackers, olives and pickles on cutting board and cut summer sausage on cutting board

You can find summer sausage at a variety of places, including gourmet shops and grocery stores. I’ve even see it at some convenience stores.

Please feel free to share!