Sobrasada red sausage: types and recipes

Sobrasada is the most distinctive and appreciated product in the Balearic Islands. But is not unique to Mallorca, is also made in many other parts of Spain. We find three different types of Sobrasada, depending on the breed of the pig:

• ‘Porc negre’ (black pig for Spanish): from Balearic Islands
• Iberico (Iberian pig): from Extremadura, Andalusia and Castilla mainly.
• White pig: from all other parts of Spain, especially in the north (Teruel and Pyrenees).

The three types are delicious, and the taste is not too much different. The largest difference is due to the recipe. Each area, even each village, Sobrasada is made in different ways, with their own artisan and traditional methods. 

The Sobrasada looks like a sausage, because the mixture is stuffed in natural casings, but actually, the texture is more like a soft pâté. When eaten on its own, it’s usually spread on a toast with a slice of Manchego cheese. Many chefs say that Sobrasda is the best pâté in the world.

We’d love to show you how we made the Sobrasada, so here you have a homemade sobrasada recipe by now:

Ingredients:

• 2/3 of pork tenderloin
• 1/3 fatback and lard in equal proportions
• Salt
• Pepper
• Hot paprika

Preparation:

Mince the meat finely, fatback, and lard and season with salt, pepper and paprika. Fill natural casings with the mixture and cure the sausages in a cool place of about 50ºF. How long time has to be cured? Two months for thinner sausages (2 inches in diameter), four months for thicker ones (3 and 5 inches).

RECIPE: Sobrasda with beans and Spanish Cheese

Ok, four months later we have our own Sobrasada cured and ready to be eaten. How can we cook it? In a toast as stated above, or for example in the following recipe way:

Ingredients:

• 150gSobrasada
• 400g cooked white beans
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 1 garlic clove (crushed)
• 1 large tomate (pureed)
• 2-4 slicesof Spanish Cheese
• ExtraVirgin Olive Oil

Preparation:

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil in a low heat. When the onion is brown add tomato and stir all for a while. Add white beans and cook for 5 minutes. Place all into a cazuela (terracotta tray) and spread the Sobrasada on the top. Then place some Spanish Cheese slices. Grill for a few minutes and it’s ready to enjoy it.

¡Que aproveche!