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Black pudding

Black pudding is a type of blood sausage associated with the United Kingdom and Ireland.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Black pudding is a type of blood sausage associated with the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is typically made from pig’s blood, fat, and a cereal such as oatmeal or barley. It is commonly eaten fried or sliced as part of breakfast dishes.

Definition

Black pudding is a type of blood sausage made primarily from animal blood, fat, and a cereal binder. Dictionary and reference sources describe it as a dark sausage, usually made from pig’s blood and grain.

Ingredients and preparation

Common ingredients include pig’s blood, fat or suet, oatmeal or barley, and seasonings such as onions and spices. It is typically cooked in casing and served sliced, then fried, grilled, or boiled.

Culinary use

Black pudding is strongly associated with breakfast foods in Britain and Ireland, including the full English and full Irish breakfast. It is also used in other dishes, including starters and salads.

Regional and language usage

The name 'black pudding' is mainly British, while 'blood sausage' is the more common term in North America. Related names include 'blood pudding' and regional equivalents such as 'drisheen,' 'boudin noir,' and 'morcilla.'

Key facts

  • Black pudding is a sausage made with blood, fat, and cereal grain.
  • It is especially associated with British and Irish food traditions.
  • It is commonly served in breakfast dishes, often fried or grilled.
  • The ingredient mix often includes oatmeal or barley, and may include onions and spices.
  • The term is also used as a synonym for blood sausage in some dictionaries.
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Canadian context

In Canada, the term 'blood sausage' is more commonly used than 'black pudding' in general dictionaries and reference sources. [5][9][12]

Frequently asked questions

What is black pudding?
Black pudding is a blood sausage made from animal blood, fat, and grain, especially associated with British and Irish cuisine.
What does black pudding taste like?
Sources describe it as a savoury sausage; its flavour is shaped by blood, fat, grain, and seasonings rather than tasting simply of blood.
Is black pudding the same as blood sausage?
Yes. In many sources, black pudding is used as another name for blood sausage, especially in British usage.
How is black pudding usually eaten?
It is commonly sliced and fried or grilled, and is often served as part of a cooked breakfast.
What are common ingredients in black pudding?
Typical ingredients include pig’s blood, fat or suet, and oatmeal or barley, often with onions and spices.

References

  1. Cambridge Dictionaryhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/black-pudding
    Supports: Definition as a dark sausage made from pig's blood, fat, and grain.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pudding
    Supports: Origin in the United Kingdom and Ireland; ingredients and cereal binder.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/black-pudding
    Supports: Description, typical ingredients, and use as a breakfast food.
  4. The Spruce Eatshttps://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-black-pudding-435409
    Supports: Common ingredients, regional names, and historical context.
  5. Dictionary.comhttps://www.dictionary.com/browse/black-pudding
    Supports: Usual U.S. and Canadian name as blood sausage.
  6. BBC Good Foodhttps://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/all-you-need-know-about-black-pudding
    Supports: Ingredients, preparation methods, and serving styles.
  7. Merriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20pudding
    Supports: Chiefly British use meaning blood sausage.
  8. Oxford Learner's Dictionarieshttps://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/black-pudding
    Supports: British and North American naming and ingredient description.