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Meat, South and mountains

Basque blood sausage with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes

This Basque blood sausage with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes serves 4, takes 40 minutes, and is rated easy at about €3.00 per person. The key is cooking the sausage gently after pricking it with a fork so it doesn't burst, and finishing the mash with warm milk for a silky texture.

Basque blood sausage pan seared with caramelized apple wedges, alongside a creamy homemade mash.

Basque blood sausage with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
700 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter

Basque blood sausage stands out for its bolder seasoning compared to classic blood sausage, with a hint of Espelette pepper cutting through the rich fat. Pan seared slowly, it stays tender inside and slightly crisp outside. The apple wedges, caramelized in butter and brown sugar, add a sweet note that balances the sausage's heartier flavor, while the homemade mash ties everything together with its silky texture.

This is a seasonal dish, perfect for cool fall and winter evenings when you want a generous dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. It works well for a weeknight family meal, as long as the kids already enjoy blood sausage, and it's just as fitting for a relaxed Sunday dinner with guests.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Basque blood sausage 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Apples 4
  • Potatoes 1 kg

Dairy

  • Butter 60 g
  • Milk 15 cl

Pantry

  • Brown sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Nutmegoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes and cook them in salted water. 20 min

    Poke them with a knife to check, the blade should slide in without resistance.

  2. Mash them with the warm milk and half the butter, then add the nutmeg.

    Soft butter and warm milk keep the mash silky.

  3. Peel the apples and cut them into wedges, then brown them in butter with the brown sugar. 8 min

    Turn the apples gently so they keep their shape.

  4. Cook the blood sausage over low heat in a pan. 12 min

    Prick the sausage with a fork so it doesn't burst.

  5. Plate the blood sausage over the mash with the apples.

    Serve right away, the sausage cools down quickly.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a Basque blood sausage with good fat content, it holds up better during cooking and stays tender in the center.
  • Cook the apples and the sausage at the same time in two separate pans so everything is hot when you plate it.
  • If your mash cools down before the sausage is ready, keep it covered over a bain marie so it stays creamy.

The variations

  • Swap the apples for pears, they caramelize just as well and bring a milder sweetness.
  • For a meatless version, replace the blood sausage with generously spiced roasted parsnip slices.
  • To save time, use instant mashed potato flakes and focus your attention on cooking the sausage and apples.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with a sharp vinaigrette
  • A glass of sparkling apple juice
  • Grilled country bread

Storage

Cooked blood sausage keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, but it's best eaten the same day. The mash also keeps for 2 days and reheats gently with a splash of milk. This dish doesn't freeze well, the texture of both the sausage and the mash would suffer.

Questions about this dish

Why prick the blood sausage before cooking it?

Blood sausage expands as it heats up and can burst in the pan if the skin isn't pierced. A few fork pricks are enough to let steam escape without drying it out.

Can you make the mashed potatoes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make them a few hours ahead and reheat gently over low heat with a splash of milk. Avoid making them the day before, they lose creaminess in the fridge.

What kind of apple works best for caramelizing?

Firm apples like Golden Delicious or Reinette hold their shape well during cooking instead of turning to mush. They stay intact as wedges while becoming tender.

Can you use regular blood sausage instead of Basque blood sausage?

Yes, the result is still good, but the flavor will be milder since Basque blood sausage contains Espelette pepper. In that case, add a pinch of mild chili while cooking to bring back that kick.

How long does it take to make a Basque blood sausage with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a Basque blood sausage with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes?

About 700 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a Basque blood sausage with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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