Are you planning to make a mouthwatering seafood boil? Wondering which sausages would be the best fit for your recipe? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, we’ll explore a variety of sausage options that will take your seafood boil to the next level.
If you’ve ever made a seafood boil, you may have noticed that sausages are a common ingredient. But what if you don’t have the exact type of sausage mentioned in the recipe? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with suitable options that you may already have at home or can easily find at your local grocery store or on Amazon.
Why are sausages used in a seafood boil?
You might be wondering why sausages find their way into a dish called ‘seafood boil.’ Well, sausages, especially the smoked ones, bring several benefits to the table:
- They add a delightful smoky and spicy flavor to the dish.
- They provide an extra type of meat for dipping.
Cooking sausages for a seafood boil
Most sausages are already cooked, so all they need is a bit of heating before being added to your boil recipe. Typically, sausages are chopped into 1 or 2-inch pieces and either boiled alongside the seafood, grilled for a few minutes on each side, or pan-fried with a touch of oil until they turn slightly crispy. Once cooked, they can be tossed and coated with a seafood sauce or used as a delicious dipping option alongside the rest of your seafood.
The best sausage options for a seafood boil
Andouille Sausage
Andouille sausage is the go-to choice for many seafood boil enthusiasts. It’s considered the ultimate sausage for a seafood boil, especially if you enjoy a little kick. Made from smoked pork and seasoned with creole spices, Andouille sausage brings that perfect spicy flavor to your boil. You can find Andouille sausage at most grocery stores or purchase it online from Amazon at a reasonable price.
Kielbasa
Kielbasa sausages are an excellent addition to your seafood boil recipe, especially if you prefer milder flavors. Made from high-quality cuts of meat, well-seasoned, and smoked, Kielbasa sausage is available in beef or turkey varieties. It’s my personal favorite choice when it comes to smoked sausages for a seafood boil. You can easily find Kielbasa sausages online at an affordable price.
Chorizo
Chorizo is a Spanish or Mexican style sausage made with pork or chicken and seasoned with paprika and garlic. These sausages are fully cooked and smoked, offering a delightful smoky flavor. Adding Chorizo sausages to your seafood boil will elevate its taste to new heights.
Italian Sausage
Although not as popular as Andouille or Kielbasa, Italian sausages can still be a great choice for your seafood boil recipes. Seasoned with Italian spices, these sausages are quite affordable and come in mild or hot varieties, depending on your preferences.
Bratwurst Sausage Links
Bratwurst sausage links, of German origin, are typically made with pork, veal, or beef. These sausages are perfect for grilling or slicing into your seafood boil recipes. Their unique flavors will enhance the overall taste of your dish.
Vienna Sausage
Though not commonly featured in seafood boil recipes, Vienna sausages can still be a good addition if that’s what you have on hand. Give it a try and see how it complements your boil.
Chicken Sausage
Chicken sausage is another excellent option to include in your seafood boil recipe. Whether you prefer a mild or hot variety, chicken sausages work wonders because they are delicious, slice well, and fit perfectly into any boil recipe.
Vegan sausage options for a seafood boil
If you’re looking for vegan sausage alternatives for your seafood boil, we’ve got you covered too! Check out these plant-based options:
Beyond Meat Sausage
Beyond Meat Sausage is an excellent choice for plant-based sausage lovers. Made from plant proteins, it offers a tasty and meaty alternative. We recommend slicing these sausages when frozen, as they are easier to handle. Cook them until crispy for that perfect texture.
Field Roast Vegetarian Grain Meat Sausages
These fully cooked, plant-based sausages have a zesty flavor that pairs well with seafood boils. They slice beautifully and provide a delicious and highly flavorful vegan alternative to traditional meat sausages in seafood boil dishes.
In conclusion
To sum it up, here are the best sausages for your seafood boil:
- Andouille
- Kielbasa
- Chorizo
- Italian sausage
- Bratwurst sausage links
- Vienna sausage
- Chicken sausage
- Beyond Meat sausage
- Field Roast vegetarian grain meat sausages
While Andouille and Kielbasa sausages are widely used in seafood boils, there are plenty of other fantastic options on this list that can infuse amazing flavors into your boil. Whether you’re making a seafood boil recipe in a bag, a vegan seafood boil, or even a keto seafood boil, there’s a sausage choice here for you!
As a bonus, let’s explore some other creative ways to use these sausages in cooking seafood.
More ways to use seafood boil sausages
For a crab boil
You can use any type of sausage from this list to make a crab boil recipe. Personally, I find that Kielbasa works best for a crab boil.
For a shrimp boil
Looking for the perfect sausage for a shrimp boil? My personal recommendation is Andouille. However, all the sausages mentioned in this list will enhance the flavors of your mouthwatering shrimp boil.
Ready to embark on a delicious seafood boil adventure? Check out 9 of my favorite seafood boil recipes here!
