How to Cook Boudin: Everything You Need to Know

Boudin, pronounced “Boo-dan,” is a cooked sausage filling of pork, meat, rice, seasonings, and vegetables stuffed into a natural pork casing.

Boudin originated from France and is one of Louisiana’s many sensational traditional signature dishes. The filling is usually pre-cooked and can be eaten alone or with the casing.

Whether you’re purchasing boudin in the supermarket or making it at home, the primary methods to reheat or cook boudin sausage are baking, grilling, or boiling.

If you’re interested in how to cook boudin and are unsure where to start, keep reading to find out everything you need to know to retain those boudin Cajun flavors when cooking it at home.

Is Boudin Sausage Already Cooked?

Unless boudin stuffing is sold as a raw product, it is almost always cooked when you buy it.

Boudin is made from pork, which is unsafe to eat raw or undercooked. Also, it isn’t the type of sausage that’s dry-cured.

Therefore, boudin must always be cooked thoroughly before being eaten.

What Is the Best Way to Cook Boudin?

Since the boudin filling is generally pre-cooked, the goal is to warm it up to a temperature perfect for eating.

If you’re making it from scratch, the natural casing will be raw, so it will require cooking. Either way, there are plenty of methods you can use.

The main ways are grilling, boiling, and baking. Each technique offers a different texture.

For example, baking or grilling produces a nice crispy casing and intensified flavors which many people prefer.

When using this method, turn the sausages regularly to prevent them from bursting. This method allows the casing to be eaten without too much hassle.

However, boiling boudin produces a chewier, slightly rubbery, and tougher casing.

The filling is heated up as it should, though people tend not to eat the skin because of its chewy texture.

How to Cook Boudin on the Stove (How to Boil Boudin)

If you want to cook boudin on the stove, you’ll need a large pot of water, and if you wish, a blend of Cajun seasonings to add flavor to the water.

Use these steps as a guideline to cook boudin on the stove:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Ensure that there will be enough water to submerge the sausages.
2. Lower the heat to medium once the water is boiled, then place your boudin sausages into the pot. Do not boil the links on a full boil, as the casings may burst.
3. Let the boudin cook for approximately 15 minutes, then line a plate with paper towels to transfer the links.
4. Let them cool slightly before eating.

How to Cook Boudin in the Oven

It’s recommended to roast your boudin if you want a crispy casing and enhanced flavors.

To cook your boudin in the oven, follow these steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 275° to 300° Fahrenheit.
2. Line a large baking tray with a silicone baking sheet (recommended) or parchment paper. Otherwise, spray the pan with olive oil.
3. Place the boudin links on the baking sheet spaced out (at least one inch apart).
4. Allow the boudin to bake slowly for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on the outside. Turn it over every 10 minutes.
5. Ensure the internal temperature is hot and steamy (at least 160° Fahrenheit).

How to Cook Boudin on the Grill

Grilled boudin offers a crispier casing and an enhanced taste.

Follow these steps to grill boudin:

1. Preheat the gas, electric, or charcoal grill to approximately 400-425° (medium heat). If you’re using a charcoal grill, light the coals and wait for the flames to die down. Set the burners to medium for an electric or gas grill and allow the grill a few minutes to heat up.
2. Before placing the sausages on the grill, if you want a soft casing instead of crispy, loosely wrap each link in aluminum foil. And to bring out the flavors even more, consider basting the sausages with your favorite BBQ sauce. You can coat the links in sauce regardless of whether you choose to cook them in foil or not.
3. Place the boudin sausages on the grill spaced out.
4. Allow the links to cook for approximately two minutes per side. Use tongs to turn them every two minutes.
5. The sausages are cooked when golden brown on the outside. If you have an instant-read thermometer, check they’ve reached an internal temperature of 170° Fahrenheit.
6. Transfer the links to a plate lined with paper towels and allow them to cool down for a few minutes.

How to Cook Boudin in a Rice Cooker

You can steam cook boudin using a rice cooker.

Here’s how:

1. Put the links into a rice cooker with water to cover the bottom.
2. On a cook cycle, heat the boudin for 3-5 minutes, then switch the setting to “Warm.”
3. The sausages should be ready to eat in 10-15 minutes. The center should be at least 160° Fahrenheit before serving. Allow them to cool down on a plate first.
4. If you don’t have a rice cooker, you can use a double boiler or a steamer. Here’s how you would cook the boudin using a steamer:
5. Fill the steamer pan with enough water to cover the bottom. Ideally, the amount of water should be 1/2 inch or less.
6. Arrange your boudin sausages to avoid over-crowding along the bottom of the steamer.
7. Cover the steamer and allow it to cook over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes. If you’re using an electric steamer, use the “Cook” setting.
8. Remove the steamer from the heat, and allow the sausages to sit in the steamer for another 10 to 15 minutes with the lid on.

How to Cook Boudin in the Microwave

Boudin can also be reheated in the microwave:

1. Wrap a boudin sausage in a clean, wet paper towel or microwave-safe plastic wrap. This will stop the boudin from drying out in the microwave and prevent any grease from splattering inside the microwave.
2. Put the boudin in the microwave to cook on high for 1-3 minutes.
3. Check to see whether it’s heated through. If not, turn it over to heat for a further 1-2 minutes.
4. Once ready, the boudin will feel spongy and warm when squeezed.

How to Cook Boudin in an Air Fryer

As the boudin is already cooked, it won’t require as much time in the air fryer.

Follow these steps when using your air fryer:

1. Prepare your boudin sausages for the air fryer using a sharp knife to poke them and break through the casing.
2. Arrange the sausages in the air fryer without overlapping them.
3. Set it at 400° Fahrenheit to cook the boudin until golden brown. It should take approximately 9-12 minutes.

In Summary

The boudin in boudin sausage is usually pre-cooked before getting to the supermarkets, so unless you’re making it yourself, it just requires reheating.

The same methods can be used to reheat or cook the natural casing when making it from scratch. The easiest way to cook or reheat boudin is by boiling it on the stove, baking it in the oven, or grilling it.

Boiling boudin results in a chewy casing, so this method is probably best when only the filling will be eaten.

Baking or grilling it without foil results in a crispy casing and tastier boudin sausage.

When cooking boudin, it largely depends on whether you want the casing to be enjoyed hassle-free.

One thing’s for sure – whatever cooking or reheating technique you use, the filling will still be as tasty as always.