Sai Oua

Name: Sai Oua
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 2 lb ground pork; 1/4 cup pork fat or bacon fat; 4 stalks fresh lemongrass, minced; 8 garlic cloves, minced; 2 shallots shallot, minced; 2 chilies red Thai chilies, minced; 2 tbsp fresh galangal, minced; 8 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped; 2 tbsp fish sauce; 1/2 tsp salt; 2 cups sticky rice

Northern Thai grilled sausage with aromatic spices. Fragrant pork sausage infused with lemongrass, garlic, and chilies. Served with sticky rice and dipping sauce.

35 minMediumServes 4420 cal/serving

ThaiDinnerGrillStandard

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Ingredients

2 lb ground pork
1/4 cup pork fat or bacon fat
4 stalks fresh lemongrass, minced
8 garlic cloves, minced
2 shallots shallot, minced
2 chilies red Thai chilies, minced
2 tbsp fresh galangal, minced
8 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
2 tbsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups sticky rice

Instructions

1

In a bowl, combine 2 lb ground pork, 1/4 cup pork fat or bacon fat, 4 stalks minced fresh lemongrass, 8 minced garlic cloves, 2 shallots minced shallot, 2 chilies minced red Thai chilies, 2 tbsp minced fresh galangal, 8 finely chopped kaffir lime leaves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1/2 tsp salt. Mix until well combined, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
2

Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions. Using wet hands, form each portion into a sausage shape, about 4-5 inches long and 1.5 inches thick.
3

Preheat grill to medium-high heat and oil the grates well.
4

Grill the sausages for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and lightly charred on the outside. An internal thermometer should read 160°F.
5

Let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
6

Serve with 2 cups sticky rice and a small bowl of fish sauce with chilies and lime for dipping.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Sai Oua reach?

For Sai Oua, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is there a substitute for galangal in Sai Oua?

The entry for Sai Oua calls for 2 tbsp fresh galangal, minced. In its place: Fresh ginger with a little lime zest is the workable substitute. Galangal is more piney and peppery, so the result reads slightly different.

Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of ground pork in Sai Oua?

Yes. Use dark-meat ground chicken or turkey if you can, and add a teaspoon of oil per half pound, since pork brings fat that poultry does not. As written, the entry for Sai Oua uses 2 lb ground pork.

How hot is Sai Oua?

Yes, it is properly hot. The heat in Sai Oua comes from 2 chilies red Thai chilies, minced. For a milder plate, remove the seeds and ribs from the chili, or use half; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

Does Sai Oua contain fish?

Yes: 2 tbsp fish sauce. The full allergen list for this entry is fish. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

Serve it with

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