9 Healthiest Breakfast Sausages Of 2023
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.
How To Cook Breakfast Sausages
Breakfast sausages are easy to cook, regardless of the type you have – links or patties. Here are some of the best ways to cook them for a delicious breakfast (or lunch or dinner):
Pan-Fried
- Heat a medium non-stick skillet on the stove for 1-2 minutes.
- Without adding any extra oil or fat to the pan, arrange the sausages in the hot skillet, keeping them in a single layer.
- Cook the sausages for 12-16 minutes, turning them frequently to promote even browning on all sides.
- The internal temperature of the sausages should be 160°F and they should be browned all the way through.
- Drain off the excess grease using a few paper towels and serve while still hot.
Boiled And Fried
- Place the breakfast sausages in a deep skillet and pour ¼ cup of water into it. Make sure to not fully submerge the sausages.
- Place the skillet on the stove over a medium-high flame and let the sausages simmer for 6-7 minutes, or until the water evaporates.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook the sausages for another 6-7 minutes.
- The internal temperature of the sausages should be 160°F and they should be browned all the way through.
- Drain off the excess grease using a few paper towels and serve while still hot.
Baked
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a baking pan or sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Line the breakfast sausages on the pan, arranging them in a single layer and leaving at least an inch of space between them.
- Place the sausages in the preheated oven and bake them for 15-16 minutes.
- Turn once halfway through for even browning on both sides.
- The internal temperature of the sausages should be 160°F and they should be browned all the way through.
- Drain off the excess grease using a few paper towels and serve while still hot.
Broiled
- Turn on the broiler and let it warm for about 3-5 minutes.
- Place the sausages in a single layer on a broiler pan and put it in the preheated broiler.
- Broil for 6 minutes, turning them over to the other side to promote even browning.
- The internal temperature of the sausages should be 160°F and they should be browned all the way through.
- Drain off the excess grease using a few paper towels and serve while still hot.
How To Eat Breakfast Sausages
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.
Here are a few fun ways to enjoy your healthy breakfast sausages:
- Sausage egg burritos
- Sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches
- Sausage pancake muffins
- Sausage breakfast bake
- Breakfast sausage bread
- Sausage casserole
- Sausage bacon bites
- Sausage and cheese frittatas
- Breakfast mac n cheese
- French toast sausage roll-ups
- Breakfast sausage pizza topping
Buyer’s Guide
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.
In addition to traditional pork or beef, they are also made with a combination of different types of meat and other ingredients. For vegans, there is a whole variety of plant-based breakfast sausages as well.
The amount of meat in breakfast sausages is typically around 60-90%, depending on their ingredients and different flavors.
The protein content ranges from 8.4-21.4 % in meat sausages, whereas vegan sausages contain around 13-14% protein.
While there are numerous delicious breakfast sausage options available out there, they might not be the best health-wise because of their high level of fat, sodium, and additives.
Luckily, there are several great healthy breakfast sausage options for you to choose from as well. Here are a few things to consider when looking for the best ones:
Saturated Fats
Breakfast sausages, as well as other types of sausages, can be high in saturated fats making them not the healthiest option, especially to start the day with.
When looking for the healthiest breakfast sausages, look for options that contain 4g or less saturated fat per 100g.
Sodium
Sodium is another major contributor to breakfast sausages and other processed meats and can have adverse effects on heart health, which is why it is very important to look for low-sodium options.
When looking for the healthiest breakfast sausages, look for options that contain 650mg or less sodium per 100g.
Calories
Regular breakfast sausages are fairly high in calories that can have an adverse effect on your body, especially if you are trying to maintain or achieve a healthy weight.
Instead of opting for pork or beef sausages, it may be healthier to go for chicken, turkey, or vegetarian substitutes instead, both of which are low in calories, as compared.
Preservatives And Additives
Many breakfast sausages contain preservatives and additives, quite a few of which are known to cause harmful effects on your health.
Most cured sausages are injected with nitrates and nitrites to act as preservatives by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, while also preserving the flavor and color of the meat. These chemicals have a bad rap and are believed to cause cancer.
Therefore, it is important to go through the ingredient list before making a purchase decision, and that applies to every food item you put in your body!
Organic
Organic breakfast sausages are produced from meat that comes from animals that are not given any hormones or antibiotics. These are animals raised in a better environment compared to animals used for conventional meat items.
When looking for the healthiest breakfast sausages, look for a label that says 100% organic as that indicates that all the ingredients in the sausages are organic.
The 9 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.
However, it can be a bit difficult to choose the right one since there are certain factors to consider, such as the fat and sodium content, the presence of nitrates, and where the meat is sourced from.
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 |
1. Applegate Organics Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausage
Made with organic chicken, organic maple sugar, organic cane sugar, and water, these chicken and maple breakfast sausages by Applegate Organics are one of the healthiest options in the market.
Their chickens are raised and fed in compliance with the non-GMO project standard and are not given any antibiotics or hormones.
The sausages are also nitrate and nitrite-free, in addition to being certified gluten-free.
2. Applegate Naturals Savory Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties
Another great find from Applegate Naturals, these savory turkey breakfast sausage patties are sourced from family farms where animals are raised with care and respect.
The turkeys are raised with no antibiotics and their meat contains no nitrates or nitrites.
In addition to that, they are casein-free and certified gluten-free.
3. Beyond Meat Plant-Based Breakfast Links
These delicious plant-based breakfast sausages by Beyond Meat are a great alternative to meat sausages and a wonderful and nutritious way to start your day.
With around 8gms of plant-based protein and 40% less sodium per serving than leading pork sausage brands, these contain no antibiotics or hormones and are GMO, soy, and gluten-free.
All Beyond Meat products are also vegan and kosher.
4. Teton Waters Ranch Original Grass-Fed Beef Breakfast Links
Delicious and full of flavor, these breakfast links by Teton Waters are made with 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, and are a perfect and healthy protein source to start your day with.
Fully cooked and frozen, they contain no growth hormones or antibiotics and are traceable to the farm or ranch.
They are Animal Welfare Certified and contain 11g of protein and 0g of sugar.
5. 365 by Whole Foods Market Chicken & Maple Breakfast Sausage
Made with chicken that is raised with no antibiotics, no added hormones, and an all-vegetarian diet, these chicken and maple breakfast sausages by 365 by Whole Foods are a super healthy, great choice.
With maple sugar, sea salt, and spices for a sweet and savory flavor, these sausages are already fully cooked and browned.
There are no nitrates or nitrites added, and they are casein-free and certified gluten-free.
6. Butterball All Natural Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties
Butterball All Natural Turkey Breakfast Sausage Patties are made with turkey, water, and 2% or less salt, spices, and sugar.
Compared to smoked beef and pork sausages, they contain 50% less fat and are made with turkeys that are raised free of hormones and steroids.
In addition to that, there are no nitrates or nitrites added to the meat and the final product is all-natural and gluten-free.
7. Field Roast Vegetarian Apple Maple Breakfast Sausage
Another great vegan option, these breakfast sausages by Field Roast are plant-based and crafted with apples, maple syrup, and nutmeg, perfect for pancakes, quiche, or a wholesome burrito.
They are non-GMO project verified and are made by a carbon-neutral company that works to reduce its greenhouse emissions and invests in projects to make this world a better place.
8. MorningStar Farms Veggie Breakfast Sausage Patties
Meatless and utterly mouthwatering, MorningStar Farms veggie breakfast sausage patties are 100% vegan and a good source of protein to kickstart your mornings.
These savory veggie sausage patties are a great meat-free addition to any breakfast and pair wonderfully with eggs, waffles, pancakes, and much more.
Seasoned with an aromatic blend of herbs and spices, these sausage patties contain 81% less fat than cooked pork sausage and contain 9g of protein and 70 calories per serving.
9. Gardein Breakfast Saus’age Original
Gardein brings award-winning taste to their breakfast sausages created by dedicated chefs as a great, healthy alternative to fatty and sodium-rich pork sausages.
They have 75% less fat per serving compared to regular pork sausages and are certified vegan and kosher and non-GMO verified.
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