All of us love to start our day with a good, hearty breakfast. Being the first and the most important meal of the day, we all usually crave a big meal in the morning. Most of us non-vegetarians tend to stick to one of the classics, eggs, and sausages with warm toast!

However, are you tired of having the same old sausages every day? If you want to try something different, you should definitely give andouille sausages a try! They have a different, smoky flavor and chunkier texture than regular sausages.

But what if you are craving andouille sausages and your nearby store seems to be all out of them. Then, this article is definitely worth a read. This article will help you find the best substitute for andouille sausages. 

What are the best andouille sausage substitutes? The best andouille sausage substitutes are chorizo, Kielbasa, german bratwurst, and tofu sausage. 

However, before we get to the substitutes, let me familiarize you with andouille sausage a little more. I am sure it’s a new concept for most of us, and a little knowledge never hurts anyone, right?

Quick Peek: Andouille Sausage

This section will help you understand all about andouille sausage. Moreover, it will also help you understand its flavor, texture, uses, and nutritional values. 

What Is Andouille Sausage?

Andouille sausage is a variety of smoked sausage originally from France. Unlike other sausages, andouille is chunkier as it contains pieces of pig meat rather than minced meat. It has a distinct flavor and odor. 

Traditional French andouille sausage is made from the whole digestive tract of the pig, including the stomach and small intestine. The sliced or diced chunks of meat are combined with onions, seasonings, and sometimes wine. 

This meat is further stuffed in a casing made from the large intestine of the pig, resulting in a large sausage. Andouillettes are a smaller version of the andouille sausage. The small intestine of the pig is used to make the casing of andouillettes rather than the large intestine. 

Describing Andouille Sausage: Flavor And Texture

Andouille sausage is different from normal sausages in terms of both flavor and texture. When we talk about texture, andouille sausage is much chunkier than normal sausages. 

This is because most sausages use ground meat as the stuffing. Whereas andouille sausage usually has thin slices or chunks of meat used to make the stuffing of the sausage. 

As for the flavor, andouille sausage usually has a much sharper flavor than other sausages. The flavor of andouille sausage is much smokier than normally smoked sausages. It is also coarser. 

Uses Of Andouille Sausage

Along with being used in various French recipes, andouille sausage is also a very common ingredient in Cajun and Creole cooking. You can prepare it in the same way as the French version and is double smoked. 

Andouille sausage is an important ingredient in Cajun and Creole dishes like gumbo and jambalaya. Moreover, it is also used as an additive in various American foods like macaroni and cheese and casseroles and as a great addition to eggs for breakfast. 

Andouille Sausage On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Andouille sausage, like any other form of sausage, is usually high in calories and mainly in fat. It contains a small amount of protein and almost no carbohydrates. It also does contain certain vital minerals. 

A single andouille sausage, which is approximately 68 grams in weight, contains 210 calories, with 173 calories from fat. It is also high in saturated fats, making it unhealthy for people with cardiovascular health issues. 

Andouille sausage does contain some amount of protein along with minerals like calcium and iron. However, these amounts are quite minuscule.

Moreover, it contains a large amount of sodium and cholesterol. Hence, it should be eaten carefully and not in a very high quantity at a time. 

I think by now, you must have got enough information on andouille sausage. Now, let us quickly get to the main attraction of this article, the best substitutes for andouille sausage. 

4 Best Andouille Sausage Substitutes

The best substitutes you could use in place of andouille sausage are given below.

1. Kielbasa

Kielbasa is a smoked sausage from Poland. It has a similar smoky flavor to andouille sausage, making it a great substitute for the same.

Kielbasa is not necessarily made with pork. It is also sometimes made with beef and other types of meat; however, pork kielbasa is the most popular variety.

It is smoked and has a slightly similar texture to andouille sausages. Hence it can be used as a substitute in various recipes. 

However, one important thing to remember while using Kielbasa is that it has a prominent flavor of cardamom in it. This might stand out a little bit while using it in a recipe. 

This cardamom flavor can, however, be easily masked. Use some cajun seasoning or black pepper in your recipe to subside the flavor of cardamom. This will also give it a sharper flavor, much more similar to andouille sausage. 

2. German Bratwurst

Bratwurst is usually different in flavor and texture compared to andouille sausages. However, they are usually available in their uncooked form. 

Hence, you can flavor the bratwurst with various spices to achieve a taste similar to andouille sausage. This makes them a good substitute for andouille sausages. 

Bratwurst, just like Kielbasa, is also made with meats other than pork. However, if you want to achieve a flavor similar to that of andouille sausage, I would suggest you stick to the port variety. 

These German sausages might not be the best option for a substitute when you want a chunky texture in your sausage. This is because bratwurst is generally made with ground meat. However, they are chunkier than other varieties of sausages, making them a good option for a substitute. 

To achieve a flavor profile more similar to andouille sausages, you can flavor raw bratwurst with various spices like garlic flakes, paprika, black pepper, allspice, thyme, and sage. Moreover, you can smoke them to achieve a smoky flavor too!

3. Chorizo

Chorizo is a spicy sausage from Mexico. It works as the best substitute for andouille sausage as it has a similarly sharp and smoky flavor. 

The color of chorizo is usually dark red, which is very different from andouille sausages. However, chorizo does have a smoky flavor and chunky texture, similar to andouille sausage. 

The texture of chorizo is usually much chunkier than any other variety of sausage, making it a very worthy substitute. However, it will add a kick of spice to your food, considering the addition of red peppers in the sausage. 

If you use chorizo in place of andouille sausage, especially in recipes like gumbo and jambalaya, you can actually hardly tell the difference. If you choose to use it in any recipe as a substitute, you can do so in a 1:1 ratio. 

4. Tofu Sausage

If you are looking for a vegetarian or vegan option as a substitute for andouille sausage, tofu sausages make the best substitute! In fact, there are various tofu sausages made in a way that they imitate the flavor of andouille sausage.

Tofu and pork are definitely very different from each other in terms of flavor and texture. However, they are packed with protein and have a smoky flavor, making them a worthwhile substitute. 

Tofu sausages that are specifically made to work as a substitute for andouille sausage don’t really need any extra seasoning or flavorings. Moreover, they are usually smoked. Hence they provide the same smoky texture as andouille sausages.

They have a rich flavor and can be used as a substitute in a 1:1 recipe. Moreover, if you add them to any food as a substitute for andouille sausages, you can hardly tell the difference!

Short Recap

I am sure by now you must have gone through all the information about andouille sausage and its substitutes. However, are you still confused about which substitute would work best for your recipe? For that, I have broken it down further for you into three categories. Have a look!

Most Suitable: The most suitable substitute for andouille sausage is chorizo. 

Easily Available: The most easily available andouille sausage substitute is German bratwurst. 

Best Flavor Profile: Tofu sausages would give the best flavor profile when used in place of andouille sausage. 

Final Thoughts 

As we have come to the end of this article, I hope it has helped you with all the information on andouille sausage and its substitutes. The options for substitutes are not much, for sure. However, all the options given above do make worthy substitutes. 

Andouille sausages are for sure going to add a lot of character and flavor to your dish. So the next time you want to experiment with your breakfast or any other meal of the day, do give andouille sausages a thought!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)