Is All Sausage Pork? (Answered!)
For centuries, sausage has been a popular meat product, typically made from pork, enjoyed all around the world.
As the traditional sausage is made with pork, and so many popular variations are pork-based, a common question is – is all sausage pork?
This is definitely not the case, as sausages can be made from almost any type of meat and even plant-based ingredients.
Read on for more information on what sausage can be made from.
Are All Sausages Made From Pork?
Sausage making has a rich history in many cultures, and creating sausages was a way to store meat for extended periods before mechanical refrigeration was available.
Today, combining pork meat and seasoning has developed a wide variety of sausages and different categories such as fresh, cured, smoked, and cooked.
The traditional sausage is mainly made from pork or beef.
However, just about any animal meat, including veal, beef, turkey, chicken, and even horse, can be used to stuff the animal intestine casing.
As a result, many people wonder if all sausage is pork, as many pork sausage variations are made worldwide.
In addition, some non-pork sausage varieties may still use the pig’s intestine or include pork fat, which can add to the confusion.
Why Are Most Types of Sausage Made From Pork?
Seasoned ground pork meat is usually used to make sausages, like Italian sausage or Andouille sausage, for many reasons.
The main reason being that many sausage-making enthusiasts agree that the secret behind a delicious sausage is the inclusion of pork fat.
The pork fat delivers the flavor, transforming the texture of the ground meat into a moist and supple sausage.
Also, traditionally and even to this day, pork meat is one of the cheaper types of meat that’s readily available.
Sausages made from pork are affordable and easy to make.
What Sausages Are Not Pork?
While the classic type of sausage is pork, there are plenty of non-pork sausages to choose from.
This long, cylinder-shaped meat product encased in an animal intestine could be made with most meat types or even be meat-free.
There are several pork alternatives; here are some of the most popular.
Chicken Sausage
Chicken sausage is made using ground chicken from different parts of the chicken, and it is usually made from dark meat and often seasoned with parsley, sage, or other herbs.
Chicken sausages are considered much softer in texture but tastier by some compared to regular pork or liver sausages.
In addition, they are high in protein and low in fat and an excellent source of iron and zinc.
Some of the best chicken sausage brands include Boar’s Head, Johnsonville, and Hillshire Farm.
Turkey Sausage
Turkey sausage is made from turkey breasts and thighs; the patties include a lot of flavor and texture.
Although turkey sausage is leaner than pork or beef, it is still juicy and packed with flavor.
Some popular turkey sausage brands include Jimmy Dean, Butterball, and Old Wisconsin.
Veal Sausage
Although less common in North America, veal sausage is a very popular food in Europe, particularly in Germany.
Veal sausage tends to have quite a delicate flavor, yet is still rich and juicy.
One the most popular types is known as “bockwurst”, which contains veal, garlic, egg, mace, nutmeg, mustard powder, paprika, and coriander seeds.
Keep in mind that veal sausages to tend to be rather expensive.
Beef Sausage
We then have beef sausage, which is usually made from ground beef, various herbs, and spices.
Some of the most popular types of beef sausage include regular all-beef hotdogs and even select varieties of bologna.
Certain pepperoni sticks may also be made out of beef.
Beef sausage is often drier than pork sausage, as it doesn’t contain as much fat.
Venison Sausage
Next are venison sausages, which for those that don’t know, this is deer meat.
This is one of the hardest sausages to find, as you need to go to specialty retailers for them, with many often being homemade by hunters.
Venison sausages are quite gamy, rich, and earthy, often with strong herb flavors.
Sheep Sausage
If you like the flavor of mutton and sheep, then sheep sausage might be something worth checking out.
These tend to have very strong flavors and also be quite fatty and juicy.
Lamb, rosemary, and red wine sausages are quite popular.
Another type of popular sheep sausage is the merguez sausage, which is often quite hot and spicy.
Vegetarian Sausage
Veggie sausages are meat-free and can be made from textured vegetable protein (TVP), tofu, or cheese mixed with breadcrumbs, flour, and other ingredients.
Homemade veggie sausages can be made from a base of cereals and grains like chickpeas, quinoa, and polenta, with other mixed vegetables, spices, and herbs.
Some of the best brands for a tasty vegetarian sausage include Abbot’s, Frieda’s, and Quorn.
Vegan Sausage
Vegan sausage generally includes the key ingredient of pea protein or soy protein, along with one or more oils (coconut, canola, or sunflower) and spices.
Other whole food and easily digestible ingredients may include quinoa, pinto beans, pecans, mushrooms, spices, and herbs.
The nutritional value depends on the manufacturer’s recipe.
Some top vegan sausage brands include Impossible, Gardein, and Beyond Sausage.
Vegan Casing
Vegan sausage casing has become quite popular in recent years and more accessible.
It’s usually made from vegetables and is entirely edible.
In addition, most vegan casing doesn’t contain gluten, allergens, or GMOs, and it’s generally made from water, glycerin, carrageenan, and starch.
Like a regular sausage, vegan sausages are incredibly delicious and versatile and can be enjoyed for breakfast or served with pasta or in sub rolls, for example.
In Summary
Sausages are considered a delicacy worldwide and aren’t about to go out of fashion anytime soon.
When people think of sausages, they typically think of the pork-based sausage first, as traditionally, sausages were made from pork.
As there are countless variations of sausage, mostly pork-based, the question “Is all sausage pork?” is often asked.
Not all sausage types are made using pork meat, and manufacturers may use other types of meat, including poultry, beef, or veal.
To create a vegetarian or vegan sausage, a tasty meatless filling to substitute for the animal meat is used.
