Morcilla with Potatoes and Paprika Recipe (2024)

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How to cook the Spanish version of blood sausage.

By

Chichi Wang

Morcilla with Potatoes and Paprika Recipe (1)

Chichi Wang

Chichi Wang wrote a variety of columns for Serious Eats including The Butcher's Cuts, in addition to other stories. Born in Shanghai and raised in New Mexico, Chichi took her degree in philosophy but decided that writing about food would be more fun than writing about Plato.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated October 12, 2018

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Morcilla with Potatoes and Paprika Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Though you can cook the links whole, cutting them into sections exposes more surface area to take on a crusty texture.
  • The olive oil used to fry the sausage is infused with paprika and full of flavor.

The last time I made blood sausage, I stood by myself in my kitchen with one hand ladling a creamy blood mixture into casings supported by the other hand, thinking, why I am lading blood into intestines at two in the morning? Blood sausage—with its pudding-like texture of blood and fat, creamy in the center and crispy when browned in fat—is well worth the trouble if you can procure fresh blood.

If you're not in the mood for a blood hunt, you can find blood sausage at any number of butchers and purveyors of meat products. Like any kind of charcuterie, there are variants of blood sausage across many cultures and cuisines. Most are made with pork or beef blood, some contain a starchy filler such as rice or noodles, still others use vegetables like apples and onions to give body to the sausage.

The French version, boudin noir, is a mixture of blood, eggs, and cream and tastes especially pudding-like. It is richer than the Korean version soon dae, which uses sweet potato noodles and sweet glutinous rice as ingredients in the filling.

With so many different kinds of blood sausage, where to start? Morcilla, Spanish blood sausage that uses pork blood and fat, is one of the most widely available kinds here in the States. Morcilla is commonly made with onions or rice, though if you're lucky you'll come across links with pine nuts and almonds as well.

Morcilla with Potatoes and Paprika Recipe (3)

Morcilla is so good that the Spaniards are partial to frying it in olive oil and eating it as-is. Though you can cook the links whole, cutting them into sections exposes more surface area to be fried in oil. To do so, simply cut the links into sections and brown on both sides for a minute or so over low heat, until the surface of the blood sausage takes on a crusty texture from the oil.

There is something very Spanish about blood sausage in olive oil, which becomes infused with the taste of paprika and lard as it cooks. All that flavorful fat can be put to good use if you fry up some potatoes in your pan along with the sections of blood sausage, though it's also wonderful to have the sausage in a crusty loaf of bread.

July 2011

Recipe Details

Morcilla with Potatoes and Paprika Recipe

Active20 mins

Total20 mins

Serves4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 links morcilla

  • 4 mediumsized potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1/2 inch cubes

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Bring a 3-quart pan of water to boil. Add potatoes and parboil for 3 to 5 minutes until just tender. Drain potatoes and set aside.

  2. Heat a cast iron skillet over low heat. Add 3 tablespoons of oil and brown pieces of sausage, turning once, until sausage is slightly crisp on both sides. Remove sausage from heat and set aside. Reserve all the oil and fat in the pan.

  3. Keep heat on low and add potatoes to the pan. Dust potatoes with paprika and brown in the oil, occasionally turning cubes of potatoes until surface is brown, about 5 minutes. When potatoes are browned, sprinkle with more paprika and serve with sausage.

Special Equipment

Cast iron skillet or sauté pan

Notes

Take care when browning the blood sausage, since the dark color of the sausage makes it deceptively easy to burn.

  • Sausages
  • Potatoes
  • Mains
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
681Calories
49g Fat
39g Carbs
21g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories681
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 49g63%
Saturated Fat 17g83%
Cholesterol 136mg45%
Sodium 944mg41%
Total Carbohydrate 39g14%
Dietary Fiber 4g15%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 17mg83%
Calcium 36mg3%
Iron 9mg52%
Potassium 986mg21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Morcilla with Potatoes and Paprika Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Does morcilla need to be cooked? ›

Morcilla is so good that the Spaniards are partial to frying it in olive oil and eating it as-is. Though you can cook the links whole, cutting them into sections exposes more surface area to be fried in oil.

How long should you cook blood sausage? ›

Once the oil is hot, place the morcilla in the skillet. Cook the sausages for 2 to 3 minutes and then use tongs to flip them over. Cook them for another 2 to 3 minutes so they're browned on both sides. Commercial blood sausages are already cooked, so you're simply reheating them until they're hot throughout.

What is the best Spanish morcilla? ›

Morcilla varies from region to region, but the most highly regarded Morcilla is from Burgos, 150 miles southwest of Bilbao, in northwestern Spain.

What is morcilla served with? ›

Spaniards generally cut morcilla into thick slices (rodajas), fry them in a bit of olive oil, and eat with bread as a tapa or snack. When cooked and crumbled, it becomes a favorite ingredient for stews, such as cocido Madrileño (Madrid-style stew), as well as bean dishes.

Can morcilla be eaten raw? ›

Morcilla is the first type of sausage to be made from the recently slaughtered pig. Once made, the sausages are usually boiled and then hung to cure. In cities such as Seville, however, morcilla dulce is eaten raw, and you'll often find it served up in tapas bars.

How do you cook store-bought morcilla? ›

Cut the morcilla into thick slices approximately 1-inch thick. Add the olive oil to an 8- or 9-inch frying pan and place over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the morcilla slices and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

How do you know when sausage is cooked enough? ›

Use a meat thermometer to make sure your sausage is between 160 and 165 °F (71 and 74 °C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, check that the sausage is firm and has clear, runny juices. Cut it open and make sure the inside is brown, not pink.

How to tell if blood sausage is cooked? ›

The sausage is done cooking when it no longer produces blood.

Why is blood pudding illegal in the US? ›

Like haggis, Stornoway Black Pudding is a U.K. favorite that contains sheep's lungs. This ingredient makes it illegal to import into the United States, despite it being a regular menu item across the pond.

Is morcilla good for you? ›

It is also rich in iron and zinc – two minerals frequently missing from modern diets.

How do you eat a morcilla? ›

Simply eat an Argentinian blood sausage plain with a fork and knife, or place it between two pieces of bread as a sandwich. Traditionally, Morcilla is enjoyed as an appetizer to a delicious Argentinian meal of steak, chimichurri, empanadas, and other amazing eats.

What do Mexicans call blood sausage? ›

Moronga, rellena, or morcilla is a kind of blood sausage. It is found in Argentina, Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Central America, and Mexican cuisine. Spices, herbs (such as ruta, oregano, and mint), onions and chili peppers are added and then boiled in the pig's large intestines for casing for several hours.

What do you call morcilla in English? ›

Morcilla is a Spanish blood sausage, popular on its own and as an ingredient in stews. It's made with pig's blood, rice, onions, and spices, although recipes vary from region to region.

Is morcilla already cooked? ›

Morcilla black sausage is cooked in water, fried in hot oil, or grilled. It is rarely eaten raw. A popular way to use morcilla black sausage is to add it to dishes or as a filling.

What is morcilla pairing? ›

Morcilla is a type of blood sausage that is popular in Spain and its former colonies. In Perú, it is mostly enjoyed in a bread roll, but I like to pair it more interesting accompaniments. Hence, I created this brunch recipe: morcilla and eggs with broccolini and braised fennel.

Is it safe to eat morcilla? ›

Morcilla comes pretty much ready to eat, as the wide array of seasonings creates a flavor that does not require any additional sauce or salt. Simply eat an Argentinian blood sausage plain with a fork and knife, or place it between two pieces of bread as a sandwich.

Can you eat blood sausage cold? ›

It can be eaten cold, as it is cooked in production, grilled, fried or boiled in its skin.

Can you eat morcela raw? ›

He was right. Morcilla rocks raw, though the casing is a bit chewy and should probably be removed. It's iron-y and cool, mushy like my dad's favorite Russian ЛИВЕРНЫЕ КОЛБАСЫ, but a bit more red from metallic blood and with little bits of cartilage and fat mixed in to make the texture not so smooth.

References

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