Czech Sausage: The Unexpected Star of Texas BBQ

The Texas Czech sausage has become a staple of any great BBQ. It represents generations of love for cookouts and smoked meat. This story begins back in the 1850s, when Czech immigrants began arriving in Texas following political upheaval back home. Encouraged to make use of the economic potential of Texan land, Czech families raised around 9,000 Texan-born children by 1900. 

Alongside German immigrants, a community that shared a love for meat curing and sausage-making was now calling Texas its new home. Exchanging techniques and recipes, smokehouses soon became an integral part of these communities and influenced the Texas barbeque culture we have today.

But why are Czech sausages so loved? What made the recipes stick around while others faded away? At Goode Co., we still use a true Czech sausage recipe and wanted to share a closer look: 

What Makes Texas Czech Sausage So Unique?

Czech sausages once offered a versatility that made them very practical. Beef and pork scraps could be used, meaning nothing was wasted. They could be easily replicated with Texan 19th-century resources. And that now classic 1800s meat smoking process preserved meat in an era long before the advent of refrigeration. 

But in today’s world, we’re far beyond the need for practicality. Instead, it's that signature blend of high-quality meats and a medley of spices. That blend separates it from the sausages you might eat elsewhere. 

Most importantly, in any Czech sausage is a heavy dose of garlic. That bold flavor is unmistakable. It always hits. Then comes the combination of aromatic Caraway Seeds and Marjoram. Round it off with a sprinkling of pepper and paprika, and you’ve got a sausage that is different from anything else.

In many Czech sausages, they’ll also stuff the mix with natural hog casings to gain a snappy bite. You may also notice that Czech sausages have a coarser, chunkier texture (often described as rustic). And, they tend to have a relatively loose ‘bind’. This is all very different from the firmer German-style sausages that also tend only to contain pure beef.  

At Goode Co. Shop, our recipe has a unique secret twist passed down through the generations. 

How Are Czech Sausages Enjoyed in Modern-Day Texas?

Today, Czech sausages have become a fixture of any authentic Texan barbeque. You can find them across the state, usually in the family-run establishments that are focused on protecting traditional barbeque standards. You’re also likely to see it at cookouts, either via old family recipes or store-bought varieties. 

While their taste is undoubtedly the main cause of their sustained popularity, their practicality to fit in at any community event and ultimately commerce over the generations meant they stuck around throughout Texas. 

Czech sausages are versatile when it comes to serving and can be enjoyed with potato salads, refried beans, coleslaw, or garnishes such as pickles, onions, and jalapenos. 

At Goode Co. Shop, we also recommend Czech sausages with some homemade Jalapeno cheese bread! The tang pairs well with the garlic and fat in the meat. Wash it down with a light beer or iced tea!

Goode Co. Shop’s Secret to Czech Sausages

Founded back in 1977, we’ve long been serving up smoked meats and homemade sides. And one thing that has never changed is our delicious Czech sausage recipes.

Our recipe was given to founder Jim Goode by an old Czech sausage maker who retired in Weimar. His recipe is a legitimate Czech classic, but uniquely his. It’s been passed down through the generations and sees us still carefully hand-craft our links today! A true original of pork and beef!

Using only the finest cuts of USDA meat, it’s a classy upgrade on the quality of meat the people of the 1800s may have been using, but one that respects their stuffing and seasoning techniques. After being prepared, we smoke the sausages low and slow over mesquite for up to 16 hours if needed (the true Texan way!

If you’re interested, why not try out our Goode Sausage Sampler - featuring two links of original Czech Sausage, two links of Jalapeno Pork Sausage, a loaf of our homemade Jalapeno Cheese bread, and a bottle of Goode’s Original BBQ sauce. This pack feeds 8 to 10 mouths! You can keep it refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or freeze it for up to 1 year. 

How to Serve Czech Sausage at Your Next BBQ

Grilling Tips

First up, get that grill preheated to a medium-high temperature before you place the sausages on the grate. You don’t want to burn them before cooking the insides, so be careful with that heat. 

We also recommend cooking them over indirect heat for around 8-10 minutes, turning halfway. Then, you can put them over direct heat for a crispier, charred exterior. This will help you maintain a tender interior. 

We also suggest that you don’t puncture the sausage casing during grilling (or before), as you’ll lose the crucial juices and prevent burn spots. Instead, use grilling tongs.

Serving Tips

Czech sausages are versatile enough to be sliced or served whole. Whole is the traditional way to go, but when sharing meats at BBQ (because, let’s be honest, we all want to try some brisket too), you can slice the sausages diagonally or into rounds. Simple sharing. 

Some people throw garnishes and even beer on their sausages, but we recommend using barbeque sauce. We’ve got a variety of original barbeque sauces in our store, including those with a garlic tang, which goes great with the garlic-y Czech sausage punch. 

You can pile the sausage on a toasted bun, or jalapeno cheese bread, or eat it alongside a refreshing side like coleslaw or potato salad.

Read related: 

• The Best Texas-Made Ingredients for your Next Backyard BBQ

FAQs: Czech Sausages

How long does Goode Co. Does the shop's Czech sausage last after delivery?

You can keep them refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to a year. 

How do I reheat Czech sausage from Goode Co. Shop?

Warm over low grill heat or in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes. 

Is Goode Co. Shop’s Czech sausage pre-cooked?

Yes, they are fully smoked, low and slow over mesquite meat and ready to be reheated. 

What makes Czech sausages different from German sausages?

Czech sausages are typically coarsely ground, with a blend of pork and beef. They always include garlic, a spice blend, and tend to come in a thick, horseshoe-shaped loop. German sausages are all beef, finely ground, and include cayenne pepper, but not garlic. 

Are Czech sausages spicy?

No, while they have an aromatic and garlic punch, they are not overly spicy. 

Where to Buy Authentic Czech Sausage Online

Order from Goode Co. Shop Today

Look no further than Goode Co. Shop, the online store for Houston’s long-standing, authentic Texas barbeque restaurant. Since 1977, we’ve been handcrafting Czech sausages using that famous original recipe. 

Ordering with us couldn’t be simpler. Just click and order, it’ll come frozen and sealed to preserve flavor and ready to liven up your cookout. Note: All smoked meats are shipped Monday-Wednesday. We also recommended advance ordering for holidays, when our store gets busy. 

If you’re not sure our Czech Sausage Sampler packs will be enough, try out our ‘The Pride of Sam Houston’ (the barbeque ultimate pack) or ‘The Davy Crockett’ to get your hands on beautifully smoked brisket or pork ribs. All hand-prepared the real Texan way, low and slow.