Sausages are one of those breakfast items you don’t always question—until you check the label. Some brands keep them simple with real ingredients for a solid meal. Others? Let’s say they take a few shortcuts. If you’re trying to make a better choice, here’s a breakdown of five sausages worth buying and five to avoid.
Buy: Applegate Naturals Classic Pork Breakfast Sausage
Who doesn’t love a hearty breakfast sausage? Applegate Naturals takes the guilt out of it. With just pork, salt, cane sugar, and a few spices, this sausage avoids all the junk you’d expect from mass-produced options. Plus, it’s made from humanely raised pigs, which gives you quality and ethical sourcing for every bite.
Skip: Hormel Italian Sausage
When you grab a quick Italian sausage, Hormel might come to mind, but the ingredient list raises a few red flags. Sodium nitrite and MSG show up here. It’s not just about taste; these additives can have long-term health effects. All those preservatives mask what could have been a better-quality option.
Buy: Alfresco Sweet Italian-Style Chicken Sausage
Free from gluten and nitrates, it’s a leaner option that doesn’t sacrifice taste. Raised without antibiotics, the meat in this one lets you enjoy the goodness without the worry. Looking for a healthier take on wieners? Alfresco’s got you covered with their sweet Italian-style chicken sausage.
Skip: Great Value Cooked Sausage
Great Value sausages are low in cost, but you might end up paying for them in quality. Loaded with preservatives and artificial colors, they don’t offer much in terms of nutrition. Even worse, the meat is processed, which means it’s not as clean or wholesome as other brands available in the market that focus on quality.
Buy: Bilinski’s Organic Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage
Bilinski’s spicy Italian sausage brings the heat with the use of organic chicken and simple ingredients. Free from antibiotics and hormones, it offers a bold, spicy flavor without unnecessary fillers or artificial additives. Plus, its organic certification guarantees you’re getting the real deal.
Skip: Banquet Brown N Serve Sausage Links
For a real breakfast win, you’d want to skip this one. Banquet’s Brown’ N Serve sausages are quick and easy but have processed ingredients that raise concerns. With not just added sugars and sodium nitrite but also artificial flavoring, these snags might save time but aren’t saving you from unnecessary additives.
Buy: Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Pork Sausage
There’s something good about applewood-smoked items. Niman Ranch takes full advantage of that with their pork wieners. These pigs are raised with care—free from injected antibiotics and hormones—and you can taste it. The applewood smoking adds a savoriness that feels indulgent, a standout choice.
Skip: Eckrich Smoked Sausage
High-fructose corn syrup and sodium nitrite are common culprits here, plus a host of preservatives. Eckrich might offer that classic smoky taste, but the additives aren’t something you want in your body. When a sausage is more about the chemicals than the flavor, it’s time to consider healthier options.
Buy: Teton Waters Ranch 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sausage
Grass-fed beef makes a big difference, and the Teton Waters Ranch range is an example of it. Their beef is raised on open pastures, which gives it leaner meat and is packed with more omega-3s than usual. No antibiotics or hormones are involved, so you can feel good about every bite while supporting sustainable farming.
Skip: Jimmy Dean Sausages
Jimmy Dean may be a staple for many, but let’s be real—it’s not the healthiest choice. These sausages come with fillers like corn syrup that add unnecessary sugars and preservatives. Convenience shouldn’t mean sacrificing quality, yet that’s exactly what you get when you reach for Jimmy Dean.
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