Taiwanese Sausage Rice (Rice Cooker Recipe)

This Taiwanese sausage rice is an easy, comforting rice cooker meal made with sweet-savory Taiwanese sausage, fluffy rice, and whatever vegetables you have on hand.

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• What is Taiwanese sausage?
• Ingredients
• How to make Taiwanese sausage rice in a rice cooker
• Vegetable variations
• Storage and reheating
• Frequently asked questions
• Taiwanese Sausage Rice (Rice Cooker Recipe)
• More Delicious Taiwanese Recipes
• Pin for later!

For this version, I used rehydrated shiitake mushrooms because they add a deep, earthy flavor and soak up the juices from the sausage as everything cooks. But the best part of this recipe is that it is flexible: use mushrooms, carrots, corn, edamame, peas, or a combination of vegetables you already have in the fridge.

The rice cooker does almost all the work, making this an especially great low-effort meal for busy weeknights.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Everything cooks together in the rice cooker, making it a low-effort meal for busy weeknights.
• Taiwanese sausage adds so much sweet, savory, garlicky flavor to the rice.
• It is easy to customize with the vegetables you have on hand.
• The leftovers reheat well for an easy lunch the next day.

What is Taiwanese sausage?

Taiwanese sausage, or xiang chang (香腸), is a pork sausage with a sweet, savory, garlicky flavor. It is plumper and juicier than Chinese lap cheong, which is a drier cured sausage.

You can usually find Taiwanese sausage in the refrigerated or frozen section of an Asian grocery store. Since brands vary, check the package instructions and make sure the sausage is fully cooked before serving.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rice (ex: Jasmine)
• Water, according to your rice cooker's instructions for 2 cups rice
• 5 Taiwanese sausages
• 6 to 8 dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated, stems removed, and sliced
• Reserved shiitake soaking liquid, plus water as needed, according to your rice cooker's instructions for 2 cups rice
• 2 green onions, sliced, optional
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce, optional
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil, optional
• White pepper, to taste

How to make Taiwanese sausage rice in a rice cooker

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Add the rice to your rice cooker. Strain the shiitake soaking liquid to remove any grit, then use it as part of the liquid needed for 2 cups of rice. Add enough water to reach your rice cooker's recommended amount.

If using, stir in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and a little white pepper.

Arrange the Taiwanese sausages and sliced shiitake mushrooms over the rice. Close the lid and cook using the regular white rice setting.

When the rice cooker switches off, leave the lid closed and let everything rest for about 10 minutes. This extra steaming time helps the rice finish cooking evenly and absorb the flavor from the sausage and mushrooms.

Remove the sausages and slice them into bite-size pieces.

Fluff the rice and mushrooms together, then serve with the sliced sausage and plenty of green onions on top, if using.

Make sure the sausage is cooked through before serving. If needed, slice one open to check, or cook until the center reaches 160°F for pork sausage.

Vegetable variations

I used shiitake mushrooms in this version, but you can easily make this Taiwanese sausage rice with other vegetables.

Try:

• sliced carrots
• corn kernels
• shelled edamame
• peas
• diced zucchini
• chopped bok choy or napa cabbage
• a mix of mushrooms

For firmer vegetables such as carrots, add them before cooking. For delicate greens like bok choy, stir them into the hot rice after cooking, then close the lid for a few minutes so they wilt.

Storage and reheating

Store leftover Taiwanese sausage rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, sprinkle a little water over the rice, cover loosely, and microwave until hot. You can also reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of rice should I use?

Use the type of rice you normally make in your rice cooker. Any white rice works well here, including jasmine rice, medium-grain white rice, or sushi rice. Just use the amount of liquid your rice cooker recommends for the variety and quantity of rice you choose.

Can I use Chinese lap cheong instead of Taiwanese sausage?

You can, but the flavor and texture will be different. Taiwanese sausage is juicy, slightly sweet, and garlicky, while Chinese lap cheong is firmer, drier, and more cured. If using lap cheong, use a smaller amount to start since its flavor is more concentrated.

What other vegetables can I add?

This recipe is very flexible. In place of shiitake mushrooms, try carrots, corn, shelled edamame, peas, zucchini, or other mushrooms. Add firmer vegetables before cooking. For tender vegetables, including bok choy or napa cabbage, stir them into the cooked rice and let them wilt in the closed rice cooker for a few minutes.

Can I make this in an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can use an Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker with a rice setting. Add the ingredients as directed, then use your appliance's rice program and follow its instructions for the proper rice-to-liquid ratio. Since settings vary by model, make sure the Taiwanese sausage is fully cooked before serving.

Do I need to cook the Taiwanese sausage before adding it to the rice cooker?

No - add the sausage directly to the rice cooker with the rice and vegetables. However, cooking times and sausages can vary by brand, so always make sure the sausage is cooked through before serving.

More Delicious Taiwanese Recipes

• Taiwanese Braised Pork Belly Rice (Lu Rou Fan 滷肉飯) - A classic Taiwanese comfort food with tender pork belly simmered in a savory soy-based sauce with shallots, garlic, rice wine, and warm spices. It is absolutely delicious spooned over a bowl of hot rice.
• Taiwanese Meatball Soup with Daikon Radish - This light, comforting soup features a clear pork-based broth, tender daikon radish, bouncy Taiwanese pork meatballs, ginger, and green onions.
• Shacha Beef Stir Fry with Water Spinach - A quick Taiwanese stir-fry made with tender beef, garlic, water spinach, and savory shacha sauce. It is an easy, flavorful dish that is perfect with rice.
• Run Bing (Taiwanese Spring Rolls / 潤餅) - These fresh Taiwanese spring rolls are filled with savory meat, vegetables, and flavorful toppings, all wrapped in a soft, thin wrapper.

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