If you wish Italian sausage had even more bang , this is the pork Cartesian product for you .
Brie Passano
Although they share the category of “ blimp , ” there ’s a huge difference between the savor of the protein in a ballparkhot frankfurter , adeep - dish Italian sausage balloon pizza pie , achorizo and cheese quesadilla , sheet - pan brats with vegetable , andBritish sausage roll .
Credit:Brie Passano
You ’re credibly familiar with what breakfast sausage and summer staples like brats andhot dogstaste like and we bet that you ’re an genius at cooking them without much thought . But how about more specialized sausage balloon ?
Leading up toMardi Grasseason when Cajun food gets its well - deserved mo in the glare across the land , buff write in to ask us , “ what is andouille sausage , exactly , and what should I do with it ? ” So we settle it was high clip to dish up our Test Kitchen ’s top summit about this smoky , spicy sausage , including how to stack away it , feature it in andouille recipes , and what to replace it with if you ca n’t find ( or do n’t labour ) andouille .
Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen brand director
What Is Andouille Sausage—and How Is It Different From Other Sausages?
Most Americans associate andouille ( pronouncedahn - DOO - wee ) with Cajun and Creole cuisine , which is minded , because this eccentric of sausage principal in many signature recipes with that culinary heritage . That say , andouille actually has its roots in France .
Gallic andouille typically feature pig organs , wine-coloured , onions , and modest flavourer , all englut inside a casing then poach . Nearly all andouille available in America these daytime is Cajun - style andouille , which is made with pork barrel butt ( technically , the shoulder portion of the slovenly person ) , pork blubber , garlic , Strategic Arms Limitation Talks , and hot seasonings like cayenne capsicum , crushed ruby pepper , chili powder , black common pepper , and/or filé powder . Cumin , thyme , sage , and bay foliage are sometimes include as well . Once this concoction is inside a casing , the blimp is twice - smoked rather than poached .
Now that you know how Gallic andouille differs from Cajun - style andouille , you might be curious how andouille stack up to other sausages .
Sarah Brekke , M.S.,Better Homes & GardensTest Kitchen brand handler assist us break this down . Andouille is …
What Does Andouille Taste Like?
According to Brekke , “ andouille sausage has a classifiable smoky , spicy flavor . The aroma also has some notes of garlic and is reminiscent of the tasty smells of Creole and Cajun cuisine . ”
Great andouille sausage are balanced , with a pleasant amount of green goddess , zesty flavor from the meat , just enough warmth to mess about on your tongue after each morsel , and a pleasant amount of salt to hyperbolize it all .
How to Store Andouille
Store andouille sausage in its original package in the refrigerator and aspire to use it before itsbest - by date , Brekke advises .
“ Once open , most brands advise that the sausage be used within 7 days , ” she adds .
If you need more time after opening a package , transfer the andouille to a zilch - top Deepfreeze bag , press out all the air , then label with the name and day of the month . Freeze for up to 6 month . Before using frozen andouille , channel it to your icebox and allow it to thaw overnight .
How to Cook Andouille
Since the process of throw Cajun andouille involvessmoking , the meat is pre - cooked and is dependable to eat directly out of the package . Some folk opt to slice and suffice it oncharcuterie boardsor feature slice andouille as a dunker to pair with pickpocket . ( slice andouille plusPimiento Cheese Dip ? Yes , please ! )
you’re able to also bake , furuncle , or grill andouille . disregardless of which method acting you opt , calculate to reheat fully - cooked pork mathematical product to an internal temperature of 140 ° F , theUSDAsuggests .
The Best Andouille Sausage Recipe Ideas
Brekke tells us that the most traditional uses for Cajun andouille includejambalaya , okra , low - country shrimp furuncle , and red beans and rice . enliven by the aforementioned British sausage rolls , we ca n’t wait to stress andouillepigs - in - a - mantle - style .
We think it would also be incredible tote up to :
The Best Andouille Sausage Substitutes
Pork is the most traditional protein used in andouille , however , chicken andouille sausage balloon is available at many supermarket . Beyond Meatalso has a Cajun - spiced plant - based blimp alternative that works well in andouille formula .
If you ca n’t find pork , chicken , or a plant - based andouille second-stringer , Brekke says that the Test Kitchen grow to these sausage balloon as the best andouille barter , reckon on your personal preferences . The savour will be dissimilar , but the results will still be delicious !
