As a longtime fan of Earl Campbell’s delicious smoked sausages and hot links, I was curious to learn more about where these Texas-sized flavors originate. With his larger-than-life football career and status as a Lone Star State legend, it’s no surprise that Earl Campbell’s smoked meats have reached icon status as well. In this article, I’ll take you behind the scenes to explore the roots of Earl Campbell’s famous sausage recipes and manufacturing process.
Earl Campbell’s Football Legacy
To understand the Earl Campbell sausage story, you first have to understand Earl Campbell himself. During his professional football career back in the 1970s and 80s, Earl Campbell was an absolute beast on the field. Nicknamed “The Tyler Rose” for his east Texas hometown, Campbell rushed for a staggering 9,407 yards and 74 touchdowns over just eight seasons with the Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints
Campbell took home numerous MVP awards and went down in history as one of the most dominating running backs to ever play the game. His aggressive, relentless rushing style struck fear into the hearts of opposing defenders trying to take him down. Earl Campbell became a larger-than-life figure both on and off the field in Texas.
Launching His Own Food Company
After retiring from football in 1985 Earl Campbell wanted to continue his Texas legacy in a new way. In 1990 he founded Earl Campbell Foods, Inc. and began producing smoked sausages and hot links.
Earl Campbell had always enjoyed the smoked meat traditions of Texas barbecue. By launching his own brand, he aimed to share his love of big, bold Texas flavor with sausage fans across the state and beyond.
Crafting Unique Smoked Sausage Recipes
At the heart of Earl Campbell’s successful food company are the special seasoned sausage recipes carrying his name. According to the Earl Campbell’s website, each smoked sausage recipe includes a proprietary blend of spices handcrafted by Earl Campbell himself.
The recipes are inspired by Texas barbecue traditions, with just the right amount of spicy kick in every bite. Earl Campbell Foods produces several smoked sausage varieties, including Hot Links, Mild Hot Links, Red Hot Links, Smoked Polish Sausage, Smoked Jalapeno Cheese Sausage, and more.
Where Earl Campbell Sausage Is Made
So where does the actual manufacturing and smoking of Earl Campbell sausages take place?
Earl Campbell Foods has sausage manufacturing and distribution partnerships with several major processing plants across Texas. This helps enable wide distribution of the Earl Campbell brand across the Lone Star State in major grocery store chains like H-E-B.
One of Earl Campbell’s key manufacturing partners is East Texas Sausage Company in Lindale, Texas. Located about 90 miles southeast of Earl Campbell’s hometown of Tyler, this sausage processing facility has been producing Earl Campbell sausage products for over 15 years.
The East Texas Sausage Company smokes and packages Earl Campbell sausage varieties like Hot Links and Polish Sausage in their 25,000 square foot USDA-inspected plant. They follow the proprietary seasoning recipes crafted by Earl Campbell himself to ensure authentic Texas flavor.
Keeping Quality Standards High
In addition to recipe development, Earl Campbell and his team work closely with their manufacturing partners like East Texas Sausage Company to maintain high product standards.
The Earl Campbell’s website emphasizes that their smoked sausages contain no added MSG and are gluten-free. They also highlight that the sausages just need quick heating and are ready to enjoy. By coordinating closely with processors on quality control, Earl Campbell Foods keeps their brand promise of bold Texas flavor in every bite.
Expanding Reach Across the Nation
While Texas is at the heart of Earl Campbell Foods, their smoked sausages can now be found far beyond the Lone Star State. In addition to H-E-B stores and other Texas grocery chains, you can now buy Earl Campbell sausage at Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons, and more.
Online stores like Amazon also make it possible to order Earl Campbell smoked sausage varieties directly to your doorstep. As the company expands distribution across the nation, they remain committed to Earl Campbell’s mission of sharing real deal Texas barbecue flavor with sausage lovers everywhere.
The Lasting Legacy of Earl Campbell Sausage
As his football achievements fade deeper into the history books, Earl Campbell’s bold Texas-style sausage continues gaining new fans every year. By starting his own smoked meat company and crafting signature seasoning blends, Earl Campbell found a delicious way to extend his larger-than-life persona.
Thanks to manufacturing partners like East Texas Sausage Company, fans everywhere can enjoy the authentic Texas flavor at the heart of Earl Campbell’s sausage. The company’s commitment to quality and Earl’s hands-on role in recipe development ensure each smoked sausage lives up to his Texas legend.
Earl Campbell smoked meats are known for taste as big and bold as the man himself – with just the right amount of spice in every mouth-watering bite. Make the smart play. Bring home some Earl Campbell today.
Earl Campbell Sausage Story
Who makes Earl Campbell’s smoked sausage?
Earl Campbell founded Earl Campbell Meat Products, Inc. in 1990, which manufactures and sells Earl Campbell’s Smoked Sausage and other food products and barbecue sauce. Campbell and his associates also opened a restaurant in 1999 on Sixth Street in Austin called Earl Campbell’s Lone Star BBQ, which closed in 2001.
Is Earl Campbell still involved in football?
As of 2016, Earl Campbell still actively participates in University of Texas athletics, serving as special assistant to the football team. In 1990, he founded Earl Campbell Meat Products, Inc. which manufactures and sells Earl Campbell’s Smoked Sausage and other food products and barbecue sauce.
What happened to Earl Campbell?
With an air of wanting to get it over with, he hands me a press release detailing the bankruptcy this spring of his Austin food company, which he founded in 1990, and a restaurant he opened in 1999. A sausage manufacturer in Flatonia has taken on his debts and put him back on the road selling for the new partnership, Earl Campbell Meat Products.
Are Earl Campbell’s hot links good?
Great tasting hot link sausages. Cook on grill or microwave them. Wonderful flavor. Very good Earl Campbell’s hot links. These Earl Campbell’s hot links are very tender and taste great. Verry tasty and I would recommend them.