Longaniza sausage is a unique pork sausage with different variations and flavors found in various Latin American countries, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the United States. It’s a type of sausage that’s known for its garlicky flavors, and it’s usually served as a side dish, in stews, or as a main course. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at this type of sausage and show you how to cook longaniza in a variety of ways.
What is Longaniza Sausage?
Longaniza sausage is a type of pork sausage that comes in various shapes and sizes. It’s made from different types of meat, including pork, beef, and chicken, and seasoned with a variety of spices. The sausage is known for its unique taste, which varies depending on the region where it’s made.
In the Philippines, longaniza is a sweet-flavored, thin sausage that’s made from ground pork, while in the Dominican Republic, longaniza is a thin, spicy pork sausage. Mexican longaniza is a bit thicker and spicier than the Filipino version and is similar to Mexican chorizo or Spanish chorizo.
Making Longaniza Sausage
Longaniza sausage can be made in different ways, depending on the region where it’s being made. The main differences between the sausages are the type of meat used and the spices used to season the sausage.
For example, in the Dominican Republic, longaniza sausage is made using ground pork, vinegar, garlic, oregano, and salt. The sausage mixture is then stuffed into hog casings and left to cure for a few days.
In the Philippines, skinless longganisa is made using ground pork, vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and annatto seeds. The sausage mixture is then placed in a sausage casing or rolled into smaller pieces and wrapped in a sheet of wax paper.
Cooking Longaniza Sausage
There are a variety of ways to cook longaniza sausage, depending on your taste buds and the region where the sausage was made. In general, it’s best to cook the sausage on medium heat to ensure it’s cooked evenly and doesn’t burn.
One popular way to cook longaniza is to fry it in its own oil. To do this, place the sausages in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook until the sausages are golden brown. As the sausages cook, they will release their own oil, which helps to brown the sausage and add flavor.
Similarly, you can learn how to cook raw chicken sausage from my blog.
Longaniza Recipes
Longaniza sausage can be used in a variety of recipes, from stews to side dishes. One popular recipe is locrio de longaniza, which is a rice dish made with tomato sauce, orange juice, and longaniza sausage.
To make this dish, heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the longaniza sausage and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add a little water, tomato sauce, and orange juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and then add rice, salt, and chili powder. Stir to combine and then add the browned longaniza sausage to the skillet. Cover the skillet and cook until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
Arroz con Longaniza
Another popular longaniza recipe is arroz con longaniza, which is a rice dish made with longaniza sausage and other ingredients, such as green beans or other vegetables. To make this dish, cook the longaniza sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until it’s golden brown. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, add a little bit of olive oil, diced onions, and diced bell peppers. Cook until the vegetables are soft.
Next, add the uncooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine with the vegetables. Then, add chicken broth and tomato sauce to the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is cooked through.
Finally, add the cooked longaniza sausage to the skillet and stir it into the rice mixture. Serve the arroz con longaniza with a dollop of sour cream and a fried egg on top.
Skinless Longganisa
In the Philippines, skinless longganisa is a popular variation of the sausage. This version doesn’t use a sausage casing and is rolled into smaller pieces before cooking. Skinless longganisa is usually cooked by pan-frying or grilling and is often served as a breakfast food alongside garlic fried rice and a fried egg. You can liven up this breakfast dish even more by adding in a plate of delicious Golden Malted Pancakes.
To make skinless longganisa, mix ground pork with vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, minced garlic, and black pepper. Shape the mixture into small balls or patties and then roll them into smaller pieces. Heat a little bit of oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the longganisa until it’s golden brown and cooked through.
Agrio de Naranja
Agrio de naranja is a popular sauce in the Dominican Republic that’s often served with longaniza sausage. It’s a sour orange sauce that’s made by mixing sour orange juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. The sauce is easy to make and can be used as a marinade for the sausage before cooking or as a dipping sauce for the cooked sausage.
To make agrio de naranja, mix sour orange juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine and then use the sauce to marinate the longaniza sausage for at least an hour before cooking. Alternatively, serve the sauce alongside the cooked sausage as a dipping sauce.
Longaniza sausage is a unique type of sausage that’s popular in various Latin American countries, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. It’s a versatile sausage that can be cooked in a variety of ways and used in many different recipes. Whether you prefer it spicy or sweet, skinless or in a sausage casing, longaniza sausage is sure to satisfy your taste buds. So, next time you’re looking for a flavorful and easy-to-cook sausage, give longaniza a try! And if you are looking for other tasty pork dishes, check out my recipe for Thai Basil Pork!