9 Healthiest Breakfast Sausages Of 2026
Quick Answer
For a healthy breakfast sausage, consider these options:
- Use lean poultry such as turkey or chicken
- Incorporate spices like sage, thyme, and pepper for flavor
- Try plant-based alternatives made from lentils or beans
Read on for more detail
Though incredibly delicious, most breakfast sausages are often high in saturated fats, sodium, cholesterol, calories, and harmful additives, making them not the best choice for starting your day with, especially on a regular basis. The good news is that you don’t have to give up on these delicious treats since there are now several healthy options available in the market.
So, what are the healthiest breakfast sausages? The healthiest breakfast sausages are free of scary additives and have regulated amounts of fat, sodium, and calories. There are also several plant-based meat brands perfectly suitable for a vegan lifestyle.
Read on for a detailed buyer’s guide on how to choose the healthiest breakfast sausages, along with our top picks of the 9 best ones!
What Are Breakfast Sausages?
Breakfast sausages, also called “country sausages” in the United States, are a popular breakfast item made from ground meat that is shaped into small patties or made into little links.
They first became popular in the US in the 19th century when early farmers made sausages using pig scraps and enjoyed them as an early morning meal. Although the original breakfast sausages were made using pork, later versions used other types of meat as well.
Paired with a classic seasoning of sage, thyme, salt, and pepper, along with other ingredients such as cheese, peppers, and bread crumbs, they are mostly made with pork but may include other types of meat as well.
What sets breakfast sausages apart from other types of sausages is their spices and overall seasoning. Some common ingredients in breakfast sausages include sage, thyme, nutmeg, brown sugar, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, white pepper, maple seasoning, and crushed red peppers.
Breakfast sausages come in two popular forms: patties and links. Breakfast link sausages can have casings that contribute immensely to the flavor, texture, and appearance of the sausage. The casings are traditionally made using animal products, although there are plenty of alternative options available for people with different preferences.
Healthiest Breakfast Sausages
Although the market is filled with all types of breakfast sausages, not all of them are the best for you in terms of health. Most of them have a high fat and sodium content, making them unsuitable for regular consumption. There are also several healthy options available.
To make it easy for you, here are our top picks of the 9 healthiest breakfast sausages for you to enjoy:
| Rank | Product | Best Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Applegate Organics Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausage | All-natural and organic |
| 2. | Applegate Naturals Savory Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties | Sourced from family farms |
| 3. | Beyond Meat Plant-Based Breakfast Links | Plant-based protein and contain 40% less sodium per serving |
| 4. | Teton Waters Ranch Original Grass-Fed Beef Breakfast Links | Made with 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef |
| 5. | 365 by Whole Foods Market Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausage | Made with chicken raised on an all-vegetarian diet |
| 6. | Butterball All Natural Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties | 50% less fat than smoked sausages |
| 7. | Field Roast Vegetarian Apple Maple Breakfast Sausage | Made by a carbon neutral company |
| 8. | MorningStar Farms Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties | 81% less fat than cooked pork sausage |
| 9. | Gardein Breakfast Saus’age Original | 75% less fat per serving compared to a regular pork sausage |
Cooking Methods and Recipes
Popular methods for cooking breakfast sausages include pan-frying, boiling, baking, and broiling. Here’s a quick guide to each method to ensure your sausages are perfectly cooked every time:
Breakfast sausages taste delicious served on the side with some scrambled eggs, but that isn’t the only way to enjoy them. There is so much that you can do with them and just because they’re called “breakfast” sausages doesn’t mean you can’t have them for lunch or dinner.
Explore delicious recipes like sausage egg burritos, sausage pancake muffins, or even use them as toppings for a breakfast pizza. You’re not bound to have these just in the morning; their versatility makes them fantastic options for any time of the day!
Buyer’s Guide
When searching for the healthiest breakfast sausages, focus on these key elements:
Saturated Fats: Look for options with 4g or less of saturated fat per 100g. Sausages are delicious patties or links of ground meat made from pork, beef, turkey, chicken, venison, or lamb, that are mixed with herbs, spices, and flavorings.
Sodium: Opt for low-sodium choices, ideally with 650mg or less per 100g.
Preservatives and Additives: Aim to choose sausages free from nitrates, nitrites, and other artificial preservatives to maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Remember, organic labels indicate the absence of hormones and pesticides, ensuring a cleaner eating option.
Whether you’re shopping or cooking, enjoy the adventure of finding your perfect healthy breakfast sausage, while balancing flavor and nutrition effortlessly!
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