Roasted Brussels sprouts are paired with savory-sweet cured Chinese sausage (lap cheong 腊肠) for an unforgettable dish. You’ll learn my go-to Chinese sausage brand and more dishes that feature one of my favorite ingredients.
Why This Recipe Works
- Savory-sweet, smoky and intensely flavorful Chinese sausage (lap cheong) pairs well with roasted Brussels sprouts.
- It only takes 5 ingredients, and less than 20 minutes.
- This recipe cooks in one pan, all in the oven!
What is Chinese Sausage?
Chinese sausage is unlike any meat you’ve ever eaten before. “Lap Cheong” 腊肠 is made from pork and is marinated and smoked. You can also find Chinese sausage made from duck liver or pork liver too (which has a darker deep reddish/brown color).
The flavor is sweet-salty, smoky, savory and unctuous with little pockets of fat that just melt during cooking. Think of candied bacon. Or when maple syrup from your pancake pools onto thick bacon.
How to Store Chinese Sausage
Most Asian supermarkets will stock Chinese sausage. Since it’s dried, cured and smoked, the package will last for over a year if unopened (also check the expiration date on package). You can also freeze the package for a long time If you’ve opened a package and only use a few links, wrap the remaining tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 6 months or store in freezer.
I like to keep at least 1 package in my pantry at all times, it’s so easy to just throw a few links into my steaming rice (see below for recipes and instructions).
Kam Yen Jan is the brand that’s the most popular (and it’s a product of U.S.A.) If you’re not near an Asian market, you can buy Chinese sausage on Amazon for about the same price as the markets.
Since Chinese sausage stores very well in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer, don’t be afraid to buy the 3-pack from Amazon. In addition to this recipe, here are more ways you can use Chinese sausage.
How to Cook
First, preheat your oven to 400F. Wash and trim your Brussels sprouts, cut them into quarters for faster cooking.
Cut the Chinese sausage into 1/2″ pieces. Keep the ingredients separated on a baking sheet. The Chinese sausage cooks faster than the Brussels sprouts, so this will make it easier to remove from pan. Toss ONLY the Brussels sprouts with a little cooking oil. The sausage does not need oil (it’s got plenty of fat!)
Roast in oven for 7 minutes, or until the Chinese sausage is slightly browned, and you can see the fat sizzling on its surface. Remove pan from oven and scoop out the Chinese sausage to a plate.
Return Brussels sprouts to oven to finish roasting for another 5-10 minutes (depending on the size of your Brussels sprouts).
The Brussels sprouts are done when they are lightly browned and tender. Season the Brussels sprouts with the fish sauce (or soy sauce). You an also you Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, Tamari (Gluten Free) or Coconut Aminos (Paleo friendly). The Chinese sausage does not need any seasoning.
Toss with the Chinese sausage and serve.
Recommended Products
Here is the Chinese sausage that I buy, and my favorite brand of fish sauce, as well as some suitable baking sheets. Did you know not all fish sauce is the same?
More Chinese Sausage Recipes
- Chinese Sausage Rice with Sweet Soy Sauce
- Crab and Chinese Sausage Fried Rice
- Chinese Steamed Buns – Make the bun dough, wrap the dough around a Chinese sausage (like pigs in a blanket!) Then steam.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chinese Sausage Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 4 links Chinese sausage, cut into 1/2" pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. On a baking sheet, toss the quartered Brussels sprouts with the cooking oil. Make some space on the baking sheet for the Chinese sausage. The Chinese sausage will cook next to the Brussels sprouts, but do not mix them together.
- Add the Chinese sausage on the baking sheet. Bake for 7-10 minutes (make sure the sausage does not burn). Remove baking sheet from oven, remove Chinese sausage to a serving bowl, set aside. Give the Brussels sprouts a toss, and return them to the oven to bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until tender and lightly browned. Timing depends on size of Brussels sprouts - pierce with fork to see if tender.
- Drizzle the fish sauce over the Brussels sprouts, season with black pepper and toss well. Add the Brussels sprouts to the serving bowl with the Chinese sausage and mix well.
