18+ East Texas Hot Links Recipe Savor The Mouthwatering Goodness!

Published on: Mar 2, 2024

For many people in East Texas, hot links are more than just a food - they're a way of life. These spicy, smoky sausages have been a staple in the region for generations, and each family has their own secret recipe. But if you're not lucky enough to have a family recipe passed down to you, don't worry. We've got you covered with this professional and well-organized article on how to make the perfect East Texas hot links.

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Lentil and Sausage Soup with Cabbage

Main Ingredients: Water, Homemade Chicken Stock, Liquid, Links, Brown

Smoked Sausage and Lentil Soup 6 - Life Made Simple

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This hearty soup is perfect for a cold winter day. The combination of lentils and sausage creates a rich and flavorful broth, while the addition of cabbage adds a nutritious twist. To make this soup, start by sautéing some sliced Italian sausage in a pot until it starts to brown. Then, add in chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced carrots and cook until they begin to soften. Next, add in chopped cabbage, lentils, and chicken or vegetable broth. Let the soup simmer until the lentils are fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and flavor.

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Spagetti with Italian Sausage and Arugula

Main Ingredients: Links, Olive Oil, Spaghetti, Arugula, Minced Garlic

a plate of pasta with sauce, cheese and spinach on a checkered table cloth

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This simple yet delicious pasta dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Start by cooking your spaghetti according to package instructions. While the pasta cooks, brown sliced Italian sausage in a skillet until it's fully cooked. Then, add in some minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Drain the cooked pasta and add it to the skillet with the sausage. Toss in a handful of arugula and let it wilt slightly. Serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top for a tasty and satisfying meal.

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Classic Hot Toddy

Main Ingredients: Hot Water, Earl Grey, Whiskey, Honey, Lemon Juice

Classic Hot Toddy with Whiskey | Sense & Edibility

Recipe: Classic hot toddy | Hot toddies recipe, Toddy recipe, Hot ...

A hot toddy is the perfect drink to warm you up on a cold winter night. To make this classic cocktail, start by brewing a cup of hot black tea. While the tea is steeping, add a shot of whiskey to a mug. Then, pour the hot tea over the whiskey and add in a tablespoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir everything together and add a cinnamon stick for garnish. Sip on this comforting drink and feel the warmth spread through your body.

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Hot Water Cornbread

Main Ingredients: Cornmeal, Sugar, Vegetable Shortening, Water, Vegetable

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This Southern staple is a delicious addition to any meal. To make hot water cornbread, start by combining cornmeal, flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Then, slowly pour in boiling water and mix until a dough forms. Form the dough into small patties and fry in a skillet until golden brown on both sides. Serve hot with a dollop of butter on top for a crispy and flavorful side dish.

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Buffalo Honey Hot Wings and Traditional Buffalo Hot...

Main Ingredients: Chicken Wings, Baking Powder, Brown Sugar, Salt, Black

Delicious Sticky Buffalo Honey Hot Wings & Traditional Buffalo Hot ...

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Get the best of both worlds with this combination of buffalo honey hot wings and traditional buffalo hot wings. To make the buffalo honey wings, start by frying chicken wings until they are crispy. Then, toss them in a mixture of buffalo sauce and honey. For the traditional wings, fry the wings and toss them in your favorite buffalo sauce. Serve both types of wings together for a delicious and dynamic flavor experience.

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Hot and Sour Soup

Main Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Shiitake Mushrooms, Bamboo Shoots, Rice

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This classic Chinese soup is the perfect balance of spicy and tangy. To make hot and sour soup, start by sautéing sliced mushrooms in a pot until they start to brown. Then, add in some minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for an additional minute. Pour in chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Add in thinly sliced tofu, bamboo shoots, and green onions. In a separate bowl, mix together cornstarch and water and add it to the soup to thicken. Finish by stirring in some rice vinegar, soy sauce, and chili paste. Serve hot for a flavorful and comforting soup.

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European-Style Hot Chocolate

Main Ingredients: Milk Chocolate, Bittersweet Chocolate, Granulated

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Indulge in a rich and decadent cup of European-style hot chocolate. Start by heating up milk in a pot until it's warm but not boiling. Then, add in some chopped dark chocolate and sugar and stir until the chocolate is fully melted. For an extra indulgent touch, add a dash of cinnamon and a splash of vanilla extract. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream for a luxurious treat.

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Nashville Hot Chicken

Main Ingredients: Chicken Pieces, Vegetable Oil, Buttermilk, Rub

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Spice up your chicken game with this Nashville hot chicken recipe. To make the spicy seasoning, mix together cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Coat chicken breasts in the seasoning and fry in a skillet until fully cooked. For the hot sauce, mix together hot sauce, butter, and more cayenne pepper. Dip the cooked chicken in the sauce and serve with sliced pickles and white bread for an authentic Nashville hot chicken experience.

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Hot Cross Buns

Main Ingredients: Whole Milk, Active Dry Yeast, Granulated Sugar

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Easter isn't complete without a batch of hot cross buns. To make these spiced sweet buns, start by mixing together flour, sugar, and spices in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, and melted butter. Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and knead until a dough forms. Let the dough rise and then form into buns. Bake until golden brown and then top with a cross made of icing. Serve warm for a delicious Easter treat.

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Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

Main Ingredients: Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Mayonnaise, Garlic Cloves

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This crowd-pleasing dip is perfect for any party or gathering. To make hot spinach artichoke dip, start by mixing together cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and parmesan cheese in a bowl. Then, stir in some chopped spinach and artichoke hearts. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with some shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips or pita bread for a tasty and addictive appetizer.

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Hot Crab Dip

Main Ingredients: Butter, Red Onion, Cayenne, Heavy Cream, Old Bay

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This creamy and cheesy dip is a seafood lover's dream. To make hot crab dip, start by mixing together cream cheese, mayo, Parmesan cheese, and Old Bay seasoning in a bowl. Then, fold in some crab meat and transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with some shredded cheddar cheese and bake until hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers or bread for a delicious and indulgent appetizer.

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The Best Homemade Hot Cocoa

Main Ingredients: Milk, Sugar, Cocoa, Miniature Marshmallows, Vanilla

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Forget store-bought hot cocoa packets, this homemade version is so much more flavorful and satisfying. Start by heating up milk in a pot until it's warm but not boiling. Then, add in some cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt and whisk until everything is fully combined. For an extra indulgent touch, add a dash of vanilla extract. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream for a cozy and delicious treat.

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Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Main Ingredients: Confectioner S Sugar, Cocoa Powder, Salt, Cinnamon

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If you want to have hot chocolate on hand at all times, this homemade hot chocolate mix is the perfect solution. To make the mix, start by mixing together powdered milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Store in an airtight container and when you're ready for some hot chocolate, simply mix some of the mix with hot water or milk. Customize your hot chocolate by adding a dash of peppermint extract or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

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Hot Spinach Dip

Main Ingredients: Frozen Chopped Spinach, Light Sour Cream, Light

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If you're a fan of spinach artichoke dip, you'll love this hot spinach dip. To make it, start by sautéing chopped spinach and minced garlic in a pan until the spinach is wilted. Then, mix together some cream cheese, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl and add in the cooked spinach. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with some crumbled bacon. Bake until hot and bubbly and serve with tortilla chips or pita bread for a creamy and flavorful dip.

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Hot Chocolate

Main Ingredients: Semisweet Chocolate, Boiling Water, Whole Milk, Whipped

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You can't go wrong with a classic cup of hot chocolate. To make the perfect cup, start by heating up milk in a pot until it's warm but not boiling. Then, add in some cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt and whisk until everything is fully combined. For an extra indulgent touch, add a dash of vanilla extract. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream for a cozy and delicious treat.

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The Very Best Hot Crab Dip

Main Ingredients: Cream Cheese, Mayonnaise, Sour Cream, Pepper Jack

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This hot crab dip is so good, it's been deemed the very best. To make it, combine cream cheese, mayo, Old Bay seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice in a bowl. Then, fold in some crab meat and transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with some shredded cheddar cheese and bake until hot and bubbly. Serve with crackers or bread for a delicious and indulgent appetizer.

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Hot Corn Dip

Main Ingredients: Corn, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Pepper, Red Onion, Garlic

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This cheesy and flavorful dip is perfect for any party or gathering. To make hot corn dip, start by sautéing corn, diced green chilies, and minced garlic in a pan until the corn is slightly browned. Then, mix together some cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded pepper jack cheese in a bowl and add in the cooked corn. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with some shredded cheddar cheese. Bake until hot and bubbly and serve with tortilla chips or pita bread for a tasty and addictive dip.

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Hot Diggity Dawg! It’s A Hamburger Casserole!

Main Ingredients: Shells, Hamburger, Tomato Soup, Kraft Cheddar Cheese

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This hot dog and hamburger casserole is a fun twist on classic comfort food. To make it, start by browning ground beef and sliced hot dogs in a skillet. Then, mix together some cream of mushroom soup, ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl and add it to the skillet. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top with some shredded cheddar cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with sliced pickles and onions for a delicious and unique meal.

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Homemade Hot Sauce

Main Ingredients: Hot Peppers, Tomatoes, Garlic Bulb, Olive Oil, Sea

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If you love spicy food, you'll love making your own hot sauce at home. To make it, start by blending together chopped peppers, garlic, vinegar, and salt in a food processor. Pour the mixture into a jar and let it ferment for a few days. Then, strain the mixture and transfer it to a bottle. Use it to add a kick of heat to any dish.

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2 Ingredient Hot Water Cornbread

Main Ingredients: Self Rising Cornmeal, Hot Water

This quick and easy side dish is perfect for when you're in a pinch. To make it, mix together self-rising cornmeal and hot water in a bowl. Form the dough into small patties and fry in a skillet until golden brown. Serve hot with a dollop of butter on top for a simple and satisfying side dish.

The History of East Texas Hot Links

The Origins of Hot Links

Hot links are a type of sausage that originated in Southern and Central Texas in the early 1900s. They were made by German and Czech immigrants who brought their sausage-making traditions to the region. These sausages were typically made with pork and beef, seasoned with spices like cayenne pepper and paprika, and smoked to give them their signature smoky flavor.

The Rise of East Texas Hot Links

As hot links gained popularity in Texas, different regions began to put their own spin on the recipe. In East Texas, the sausages were made with a higher ratio of pork to beef and were spicier than their Central and Southern counterparts. They were also often made with a coarser grind, giving them a unique texture. East Texas hot links became a beloved food in the region, served at barbeques, fairs, and festivals.

The Perfect East Texas Hot Links Recipe

The Ingredients

To make the perfect batch of East Texas hot links, you'll need the following ingredients:

2 pounds of pork shoulder, cut into chunks
1 pound of beef chuck, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons of paprika
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of onion powder
1 tablespoon of black pepper
1 tablespoon of salt
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 cup of cold water
Natural hog casings

The Process

Start by grinding the pork and beef through a meat grinder using the coarse setting.
In a large bowl, mix together the ground meat, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and sugar.
Add in the cold water and mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Next, prepare your natural hog casings by rinsing them in cold water and soaking them in warm water for about 30 minutes.
Using a sausage stuffer, fill the casings with the meat mixture, tying off the ends to create individual links.
Let the links rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to develop.
When you're ready to cook, heat up your grill or smoker to about 250°F and cook the hot links for about 2 hours, rotating them occasionally for even cooking.
Once they're cooked through and have a nice smoky color, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions

There are endless ways to enjoy East Texas hot links, but here are a few of our favorites:

Serve them on a bun with your choice of toppings, like mustard, onions, and pickles.
Add them to a pot of beans or chili for a spicy kick.
Chop them up and add them to scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast.
Grill them up and serve them alongside your favorite BBQ sides.

Now that you have the perfect East Texas hot links recipe, it's time to fire up the grill and share this delicious dish with your friends and family. Enjoy the spicy, smoky flavors and the rich history of this beloved East Texas staple.