We’ve all been there—ready to cook a delicious dish, only to realize you’re missing a key ingredient like Chinese sausage. No worries!
We’ve rounded up 5 fantastic substitutes to keep your kitchen adventures on track.
From the rich and savory Lap Yuk (Chinese Cured Pork Belly) to the smoky and spicy Chorizo, these flavorful alternatives will take your dishes to the next level.
Grab your apron and let’s dive into the endless possibilities!
5 Substitutes for Chinese Sausage in Recipes
Here are five flavorful substitutes for Chinese sausage:
1 – Lap Yuk (Chinese Cured Pork Belly)
First up on our list is Lap Yuk, also known as Chinese cured pork belly. This deliciously rich and savory meat is a total flavor bomb and has a taste similar to Chinese sausage, but with its own unique twist.
It’s the kind of ingredient that instantly makes dishes like stir-fries, fried rice, and noodles taste so much better, adding real depth and that “umami” punch everyone loves.
What makes Lap Yuk so flavorful? It’s all about the ingredients it’s cured with—think soy sauce, five-spice powder, and Shaoxing wine, all working together to create something seriously tasty.
If you want to swap it in for Chinese sausage, just be sure to cut it into thin slices or dice it up before cooking.
2 – Chorizo
For those who love a bit of spice in their dishes, chorizo is the perfect substitute for Chinese sausage. This smoky and spicy Spanish sausage brings a whole new level of flavor to any dish.
Just like Chinese sausage, chorizo adds depth and richness to stir-fries, fried rice, and noodles. It’s also a great addition to soups and stews.
To replace Chinese sausage with chorizo, cook it first before adding it to your dish. You can either slice or dice the cooked chorizo depending on your preference.
For more ideas on using chorizo, check out our chorizo substitutes guide.
3 – Sweet Italian Sausage
The next substitute on our list is sweet Italian sausage. Unlike chorizo, this sausage has a milder flavor and pairs well with a variety of dishes.
It’s made from ground pork and seasoned with herbs and spices like fennel, garlic, and paprika. This combination of flavors makes it a great alternative to Chinese sausage in dishes like fried rice, noodles, stir-fries, and even dumplings.
To use sweet Italian sausage as a replacement for Chinese sausage, cook it separately before adding it to your dish. You can either crumble or slice the cooked sausage according to your preference.
For more ideas on using sweet Italian sausage, check out our Italian sausage substitutes guide.
4 – Kielbasa
If you’re in a pinch and don’t have any Chinese sausage on hand, kielbasa can also work as a substitute. This Polish sausage is made from ground pork, garlic, and spices like marjoram and thyme.
It’s slightly smoky and has a rich flavor that can add depth to dishes like fried rice, stir-fries, and soups. To use kielbasa instead of Chinese sausage, cook it first before adding it to your dish. You can either slice or dice the cooked sausage according to your preference.
For more ideas on using kielbasa, check out our kielbasa substitutes guide.
5 – Duck Sausage
Last but not least, we have duck sausage as a substitute for Chinese sausage. This flavorful alternative is made from ground duck meat and seasoned with spices like ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.
Duck sausage has a similar umami flavor to Chinese sausage and can add depth to dishes like stir-fries and fried rice. To use it in place of Chinese sausage, cook it first before adding it to your dish. You can either slice or dice the cooked sausage according to your preference.
Andrew Gray is a seasoned food writer and blogger with a wealth of experience in the restaurant and catering industries. With a passion for all things delicious, Andrew has honed his culinary expertise through his work as a personal chef and caterer.
His love for food led him to venture into food writing, where he has contributed to various online publications, sharing his knowledge and insights on the culinary world. As the proud owner of CooksCrafter.com, Andrew covers a wide range of topics, including recipes, restaurant reviews, product recommendations, and culinary tips.
Through his website, he aims to inspire and educate fellow food enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive resource for all things food-related.