Sausage may be frozen until ready to cook. Another popular sausage indigenous to Texas is turkey sausage. The most famous purveyor of this local delicacy is Inman's in Llano. They case theirs fresh, then barbecue it. If you do the same, your sausage will be somewhat drier than if you smoke it first.
Smoking also produces a more robust flavor.
In purchasing the turkey meat, you can save money by buying turkey parts excluding the breast. Grind the meat once using coarse blade. Blend spices and sprinkle over meat. Mix thoroughly with your hands and regrind. Tie off both ends and pull into a ring.