Alaska

Reindeer Sausage Hoagie

An Alaskan street food staple featuring locally made reindeer sausage grilled to perfection with caramelized onions and colorful peppers. This wild game sandwich captures the frontier spirit of the Last Frontier state.

⏱ Total 25min 🍴 Serves 4 ⭐ Wild Game 🏔 Alaskan Original

Equipment Needed

🍳 Grill or Griddle
🍳 Skillet
🥒 Tongs
🔪 Sharp Knife

Instructions

1

Prepare the sausages: If using frozen reindeer sausage, thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight. Score the sausages diagonally with shallow cuts to help them cook evenly and absorb flavors.

2

Caramelize the onions: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until deeply golden and caramelized. Season with salt.

Tip: Low and slow is key for caramelized onions. Resist the urge to raise the heat - patience creates sweetness.
3

Cook the peppers: Add sliced bell peppers to the onions during the last 8 minutes of cooking. They should be tender but still have some bite. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.

4

Grill the sausages: Heat a grill or griddle to medium-high heat. Brush sausages with remaining oil. Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning every few minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165F and sausages have nice grill marks.

5

Toast the rolls: Split hoagie rolls and place cut-side down on the grill for the last 2 minutes of sausage cooking. Toast until lightly golden and warm.

6

Prepare the rolls: Spread spicy brown mustard on the bottom half of each roll. If using cream cheese (an Alaskan favorite), spread it on the top half.

7

Assemble the hoagies: Place a grilled reindeer sausage in each roll. Top generously with the caramelized onion and pepper mixture.

8

Add optional toppings: For authentic Alaskan style, add a spoonful of sauerkraut on top. The tangy kraut complements the rich, gamey sausage beautifully.

9

Serve immediately: These hoagies are best enjoyed hot off the grill. Serve with a side of coleslaw or crispy fries.

10

Store leftovers: Leftover grilled sausages can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat on a grill or in a skillet to maintain the best texture.

💡 Pro Tips & Variations

  • Finding reindeer sausage: If you can't find Alaskan reindeer sausage locally, many Alaskan companies ship nationwide. Look for brands like Indian Valley or Alaska Sausage Company.
  • Substitute options: If reindeer sausage is unavailable, elk or venison sausage makes a good substitute with similar gamey flavor.
  • Cream cheese spread: Cream cheese on sausage sandwiches is an Alaskan tradition. Mix in some chives or jalapeños for extra flavor.
  • Breakfast version: Reindeer sausage is also popular at breakfast in Alaska. Serve it with eggs and sourdough pancakes.
  • Add some heat: Pickled jalapeños or sport peppers add a nice kick to complement the rich sausage.
  • Beer pairing: Pair with an Alaskan Amber or other local craft beer for an authentic Last Frontier experience.
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