History

Reindeer were imported to Alaska from Siberia in the 1890s to support Inupiat herders. Today commercial reindeer farming supplies the Anchorage sausage trade, with Tia's Gourmet Sausage (4th and E Street), Fio's Reindeer and Red Umbrella Reindeer running the downtown summer carts. Snow City Cafe and other downtown breakfast spots run reindeer sausage as a breakfast meat.

Common allergens: Gluten (bun)

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 15 minTotal 20 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 4 commercially-made reindeer sausages (around 110g each)
  • 4 hoagie or hot dog buns
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced thin
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • Yellow mustard, ketchup and grilled onions to garnish
  • 1 tsp olive oil

Method

  1. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-low heat with the butter, then add the sliced onion. Cook 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deeply golden.
  2. While the onions cook, score the reindeer sausages lightly on the diagonal so they don't burst.
  3. Brush a grill or second skillet with olive oil and cook the sausages over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side until well-browned.
  4. Toast the buns lightly in the same pan.
  5. Place each sausage in a bun, top with caramelised onions and serve with yellow mustard and ketchup on the side.

Tip from the editors. Outside Alaska, source from Alaska Sausage and Seafood Co for an authentic version, or substitute a venison or wild-game sausage.

Where to eat reindeer sausage

Reindeer sausage in Anchorage

Tia's Gourmet Sausage ★ 4.4

Street food$downtownSeasonal: May-Sep, daily late morning to evening, weather permitting

Tia's Gourmet Sausage runs the yellow umbrella reindeer sausage cart on 4th Avenue at E Street in front of the Visitor's Center downtown, with hot and mild.

Try: Reindeer sausage on toasted bun

573 W 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

Red Umbrella Reindeer ★ 4.1

Street food$downtownSeasonal: May-Sep, daily late morning to evening

Red Umbrella Reindeer is the other 4th Avenue downtown reindeer sausage cart, set up under a red umbrella with hot dogs, brats and Alaska game sausages.

Try: Reindeer dog with caramelised onions

443 W 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

Fio's Reindeer Sausage ★ 4.1

Street food$downtownSeasonal: May-Sep, daily late morning to evening

Fio's Reindeer Sausage runs a 4th Avenue cart and is the operator featured on Chuck's Eat the Street, with smoked reindeer sausage on toasted buns daily.

Try: Smoked reindeer sausage

410 W 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

Snow City Cafe ★ 4.6

BrunchDowntown breakfast institution$$$15-22downtownDaily 06:00-15:00Yelp waitlist only

Snow City Cafe has done the downtown Anchorage brunch line since 1998 on 4th Avenue. The Kodiak Benedict with king crab cake is the dish to order.

Order: Kodiak Benedict with king crab cake on toasted English muffin

1034 W 4th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501

Vagabond Blues ★ 4.4

Café$palmerDaily morning to mid-afternoonWork-friendlyWifi

Vagabond Blues runs Palmer's all-day cafe and music venue, with reindeer sausage breakfast burritos, paninis, cinnamon rolls, gluten-free and vegan options.

Signature drink: Latte with reindeer sausage burrito

642 S Alaska Street, Palmer, AK 99645

More cities are in research. Want reindeer sausage covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →