West Virginia Grilled Apple Sausage on Arteflame

Introduction

When you're looking for the perfect way to bring hearty Appalachian flavors to your outdoor grilling, this West Virginia Grilled Apple Sausage recipe delivers. Crafted with local apple-infused sausage links and grilled on the premium Arteflame grill, we’re using the reverse searing method to lock in rich, juicy flavors. You’ll love how the natural wood fire and cast iron cooktop sear and slow-cook your sausage to perfection. No pans, no mess—just the delicious taste of West Virginia, straight from the grill.

Ingredients

• 4 apple-infused pork sausage links (preferably from a local West Virginia butcher)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for grilling)
• Stone-ground mustard, for serving
• Firewood (for activating the Arteflame grill)
• 3 paper napkins
• A drizzle of vegetable oil (for lighting the napkins)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame Grill

1. Drizzle vegetable oil over 3 paper napkins and place them in the center of the Arteflame grill.
2. Stack firewood on top of the napkins and light them.
3. Wait about 20 minutes until the center grill grate reaches around 1,000°F while the surrounding flat top griddle warms up at varying zones.

Step 2: Prep Ingredients

1. While the grill heats, take the apple-infused sausage out of the fridge to bring to room temperature—this helps them cook evenly.
2. Have your butter and mustard ready.

Step 3: Sear the Sausage

1. Place sausage links directly on the center grill grate to get that intense 1,000°F sear.
2. Sear each sausage side for about 1–2 minutes, rotating with tongs until grill marks form and juices begin to lock in.

Step 4: Reverse Sear on the Flat Top

1. Move the seared sausages to a medium-heat zone on the flat cooktop griddle, closer to the center for higher heat or out toward the edge for slower cooking.
2. Add 1 tbsp of butter under the sausage links for enhanced flavor and moisture as they finish cooking.
3. Grill sausages until they reach an internal temperature of 150°F, then remove from the grill. They’ll rise to the perfect 165°F as they rest.

Step 5: Serve

1. Let sausages rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot with a side of stone-ground mustard.

Tips

• Always allow sausages to rest before serving to retain juices.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure accurate doneness—pull sausages once they hit 150°F internally.
• A light layer of butter on the flat top adds flavor and prevents sticking.
• Grill any side dishes (like onions, peppers, or apples) on the cooler spots of the flat top while the sausage cooks.
• Use locally-sourced apple sausages from West Virginia farms for the most authentic flavor.

Variations

1. Spicy Apple Sausage: Use apple-jalapeño sausage links and serve with a hot and sweet mustard blend.
2. Cheddar-Stuffed Apple Sausage: Use sausages pre-filled with sharp white cheddar for a rich, melty bite.
3. Maple Apple Sausage: Choose maple-glazed apple sausage and drizzle with warm maple mustard post-grill.
4. Hard Cider Sausage: Soak sausage links in hard apple cider for 30 minutes before grilling for a rich boozy flavor.
5. Breakfast Style Apple Sausage: Pair smaller apple breakfast links with grilled pancakes and apple butter right on the Arteflame flat top.

Best pairings

• Grilled sweet potatoes or apple slices on the flat top
• Roasted Brussels sprouts or grilled peppers as a savory side
• Hard apple cider or a crisp lager
• Warm cornbread grilled on the outer cooktop edge
• Pickled vegetables or sauerkraut for a tangy contrast

Conclusion

This Grilled Appalachian Apple Sausage recipe is an easy yet unforgettable meal that brings together the rustic charm of West Virginia with the cutting-edge power of the Arteflame grill. With reverse-searing, buttery finishes, and simple local ingredients, it’s a celebration of flavor and fire. Perfect for your next backyard cookout!