Rougail Saucisse Recipe – A French Recipe

Rougail Saucisse -The Recipe You Didn’t Know You Needed

Rougail Saucisse is simple, flavorful and understated. This hearty dish is often served with steamed rice or lentils, creating a comforting and satisfying meal. The blend of smoky sausage, sweet tomatoes, and spices offers a perfect balance of flavors and boldness. This is a must try dish. Did I mention it’s easy to make?

Healthy French Holiday

Welcome to part 3 of the Healthy French Holiday Series. I am constantly inspired by the art of French cooking of course and this series comes so natural because it is easy to be passionate about it. All the recipes are full of flavor and diversity. So, follow along!

With all that to stay, let’s move on to my links and where you can find me (more below).

I am now an Amazon affiliate so want to disclose that I do have links to products I use in case you guys are curious! Now here’s the part where I drop all my links to my socials for you. Appreciate you!

The first stop is always IG. IG is my stomping grounds, I am there most often to talk on my stories and respond to DMs and comments. So, if you ever want to get in touch with me, my DMs are a great place to go!

Pinterest is the best place to save these recipes. You can put them in a folder and keep it all organized!

The final spot, where big things are happening… YouTube. I am starting long form content on there and will be doing tutorials on cooking in the New Year. Super excited about this and would love to see you over there.

How did I find out about Rougail Saucisse?

My first trip to France was in the winter time to meet my now husbands family. We arrived in the north of France ready to try all of his mother Nini’s good food.

One night she made for us, upon my husbands request, Rougail Saucisse. A favorite of his. I look at it steaming in the pot and smell it. The aroma of the dish spiced in my nose. I was so excited.

She paired it with lentils, rice and little hot chilis for some extra spice. This quickly became one of my favorite dishes and she graciously shared her recipe with me. I have now been making it for years for Adrien and relishing the flavors.

Now it is your turn to make this amazing dish for your family!

Where is this dish come from?

Rougail Saucisse is a beloved traditional dish from the island of Réunion, a French territory in the Indian Ocean. Known for its bold and aromatic flavors, this dish combines smoked sausages (such as Montbéliard or Toulouse) with a fragrant tomato-based sauce. It’s typically seasoned with garlic, ginger, onions, and a touch of chili, reflecting the vibrant Creole and Indian influences of Réunionese cuisine.

Nini first tried Rougail Saucisse when she was living in the Réunion Islands. She discovered and loved it. Later in life she had a family and children and made this dish for them to try. They of course loved it and it became a family dish.

So this recipe is all the way from the Islands now to your table.

What you will need for this recipe:

• Heavy bottom pot or Dutch oven – As you know I use a Le Creuset which is pictured in the recipe but here is a cheaper also good option.
• Smoked Sausage – If you can find a Montbéliard or Toulouse, that’s great but if not just do your best to find a good smoked sausage. I actually used smoked kielbasa which I found at Wild Fork. It is the closest I have found in the US.
• Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil – A lot of olive oils in the store are cut with seed oils. Which cause inflammation and gut imbalance. This this the Olive Oil I use. It is 100% Greek olive oil. You don’t have to buy this one, just promise you will do your research and get a good olive oil!

Health Benefits of this recipe

As you know the objective of this recipe is to make healthier recipes that are also flavorful during the holidays. Here are some ingredients I want to highlight in this recipe.

Turmeric:

Turmeric or curcumin is a golden/orange spice commonly used in cooking and traditional medicine. It is celebrated for its numerous health benefits such as:

1. Powerful Anti-Inflammatory: Helps reduce inflammation in the body, which may alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders.
2. Rich in Antioxidants: Fights free radicals, protecting cells from damage and supporting overall health.
3. Supports Brain Health: Can boost brain function by increasing levels of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a growth hormone linked to improved memory and reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
4. Aids Digestion: It stimulates bile production, which can improve digestion and reduce bloating.
5. Boosts Immunity: Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help strengthen the immune system.

Smoked Sausage

1. High in Protein: Smoked sausages are an excellent source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles, supporting the immune system, and maintaining overall energy levels.
2. Rich in Essential Nutrients: Depending on the type of sausage, they often contain important nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins (especially B12), which are crucial for energy metabolism, red blood cell production, and neurological health.
3. Long-Lasting Energy: The fat content provides a dense source of energy, making it ideal for physical activities or long days.

The Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1lb Smoked Sausage – Montbéliard, Toulouse or Kielbasa. Or something similar, it is necessary for the flavor of the dish
• 5 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Medium Red Onions – Sliced thin and long
• 4 Garlic Cloves – Minced
• 5 Sprigs of Thyme
• 1/2 Tbsp Turmeric/Curcuma
• 2 14oz Cans of Chopped Tomatoes
• 1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper (if you want it spicy)
• Salt and Pepper to Taste

Method:

1. First you are going to cut up your onions. Take the skin off and cut off both ends. Slice the onion thin and long.

2. Add your olive oil to your Dutch oven and heat it to medium heat. Then add all of your onions and sauté until the onion starts to get soft. About 3-5 minutes.

3. Now we are going to add our minced garlic. Sauté for another 5 minutes.

4. Take your smoked sausage and slice it into thin slices about a 1/4 of an inch. [As pictured above].
5. Add the sausage to the pot. Stir and let cook for about 10 minutes.

6. Open canned tomatoes and add them to the Dutch oven, followed by the turmeric and cayenne pepper.

7. Stir the tomatoes and turmeric in well and bring to a simmer. Once that is simmering add the fresh thyme and stir that in.
8. Cover with the lid and let the pot simmer on low for one hour.

9. Once that has simmered for an hour and turn off the heat.

Now you have 2 options:

1. You can serve it now.
2. Or you can make this the night before the evening you want to eat it. Letting it cool at this step and leaving it in the fridge until you are ready to heat it up to eat it. This just allows for more depth of flavor.

10. Now you are done!!! Serve it with rice, lentils and roasted vegetables of choice! And of course top it with some fresh thyme!

Questions/Comments?

I hope you enjoyed my favorite French, Réunion Island dish, Rougail Saucisse. It is near and dear to my heart! I really hope you guys try this and love it as much as I do.

Don’t forget to comment below and let me know how this turned out for you! I love to hear your feedback so I can always improve my recipes and grow!

Also if you make this don’t forget to share your creations on Instagram and tag me so I can see your French dishes!

Thank you so much for being here! I appreciate you all and your support!

Other French Recipes You Will Love:

Tomato Soup – This is my homemade French inspired tomato soup!
Coq Au Vin Blanc – A beautiful French dish made with white wine.
Tomates Farcies – This is one of my all time favorites, made with stuffed tomatoes and so easy to make.

Potatoes au Gratin (Dauphinois) – French Scallop Potatoes

Authentic Crème Brûlée