Sausage may be a staple in everything from breakfast plates to backyard barbecues, but not all options are created with the same care—or quality. Some brands stand out for their use of wholesome ingredients, balanced seasoning, and impressive flavor, while others fall short with overly processed fillers and excessive sodium. Whether you’re shopping for chicken, pork, beef, or plant-based varieties, knowing which sausages to trust can make a big difference in both taste and nutrition. In this guide, we highlight 7 delicious sausages worth sizzling—and 7 you’re better off skipping—to help you make more informed choices at the store.
1. SKIP: Bar S Smoked Polish Sausage
From the first bite, Bar S Smoked Polish Sausage underwhelms with a flat, overly processed flavor that lacks the richness you’d expect from a Polish-style sausage. Instead of juicy, well-seasoned meat, you get a rubbery texture and an odd sweetness, thanks to the inclusion of corn syrup and dextrose. Mechanically separated chicken and pork hearts round out an ingredient list that raises more questions than cravings. The smoky profile tastes artificial rather than naturally wood-fired, leaving behind a greasy aftertaste. While affordable, this sausage sacrifices quality and authenticity for cost—making it one to skip if you’re after real flavor.
2. SKIP: Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage
Hillshire Farm’s Smoked Sausage may be a staple on store shelves, but its taste tells a different story. The flavor is one-dimensional—salty and oily with a hint of synthetic smoke—lacking the complexity that makes a sausage satisfying.
The texture leans toward mushy rather than firm, and the use of mechanically separated turkey alongside corn syrup and MSG only adds to the overly processed feel. What should be a savory bite ends up tasting like a hot dog in disguise. It’s far from a premium product and disappoints when it comes to both mouthfeel and ingredients.
3. SKIP: Bob Evans Fully Cooked Maple Pork Sausage Links
At first glance, these maple-glazed links might seem like a sweet breakfast treat—but the reality doesn’t quite match the promise. Bob Evans’ Maple Pork Sausage overwhelms with cloying artificial sweetness that masks any true pork flavor. The added sugars, maple syrup flavoring, and caramel color dominate the palate, while the fatty texture feels heavy and greasy. There’s minimal spice or balance, leaving you with something that tastes more like syrup-coated filler than a savory breakfast protein. Combined with the presence of artificial flavors and excess saturated fat, these sausages fall short in both taste and quality.
4. SKIP: Eckrich Smoked Sausage
Eckrich Smoked Sausage may claim to be savory and hearty, but it’s more filler than flavor. Dominated by a gummy texture and an overly salty bite, this sausage is built from a base of pork and mechanically separated chicken. The smoky flavor comes across as artificial, lacking depth or natural wood-fired notes.
With ingredients like MSG, dextrose, and modified food starch, it’s clear this sausage is more about cost-cutting than culinary quality. The end result is a bland, overly processed link that disappoints whether grilled, pan-fried, or simmered—one to avoid if taste and ingredient integrity matter to you.
5. SKIP: Jimmy Dean Regular Premium Pork Sausage
Despite its popularity, Jimmy Dean’s Regular Premium Pork Sausage lacks the clean, meaty taste you might expect from something labeled “premium.” It’s aggressively salty, with an unappealing fattiness that coats the tongue. Corn syrup and “natural flavor” appear in the ingredient list, and the texture borders on crumbly and greasy rather than juicy and cohesive. There’s very little nuance—no peppery zing, no fresh herb complexity—just an overpowering salt and fat profile. For those looking for high-quality pork sausage, this one leans too far into processed territory and fails to deliver on its “premium” promise.
6. SKIP: Johnsonville Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage Original Recipe
Johnsonville’s Original Recipe Breakfast Sausage doesn’t live up to its reputation. While it’s convenient and fully cooked, the flavor is anything but memorable. The links taste flat, with too much salt and too little spice, leaving a greasy aftertaste that lingers unpleasantly.
The texture is soft and slightly rubbery, lacking the satisfying snap or meaty chew of a well-made sausage. Additives like MSG, sodium phosphate, and BHA add to its processed feel. This sausage misses the mark on balance, coming across more like a preheated compromise than a bold breakfast essential.
7. SKIP: Banquet Brown ‘n Serve Original Sausage Links
These frozen sausage links may win points for convenience, but Banquet’s Brown ‘n Serve Original Sausages come up short in nearly every other category. The flavor is aggressively bland, offering only the faintest trace of seasoning beneath a heavy-handed dose of salt. The texture is overly soft and rubbery, lacking the satisfying bite of a quality sausage. Ingredients like mechanically separated meats and artificial additives further diminish the appeal, masking any natural pork taste. While they’re quick to prepare, they taste more like microwaved mystery meat than a comforting breakfast staple. For true flavor, these are best left behind.
8. SIZZLE: Aidells Organic Chicken & Apple
Blending savory and sweet in perfect harmony, Aidells Organic Chicken & Apple Sausage delivers a flavor profile that’s both bold and approachable. Made with organic, humanely raised chicken and no nitrates or artificial ingredients, it offers juicy bites of real apple in every link.
The natural sweetness complements the mild spice, making it a standout for breakfast, brunch, or even grilled dinners. The texture is firm yet tender, and the balance of flavors never feels overwhelming. If you’re looking for a chicken sausage that feels gourmet but still comforting, this one is a deliciously reliable choice.
9. SIZZLE: Applegate Naturals Classic Pork Breakfast Sausage
Start your day on a high note with Applegate’s Classic Pork Breakfast Sausage—a clean, flavorful option made with humanely raised pork and no antibiotics. There’s no guesswork here: just a short, transparent ingredient list featuring pork, water, and traditional spices like sage and black pepper. Each bite delivers a subtly seasoned, authentic flavor with a satisfying texture that’s never greasy. With no fillers, nitrates, or artificial preservatives, it’s the kind of sausage that tastes homemade and wholesome. Whether served with eggs or tucked into a breakfast sandwich, it’s a top-tier pick for sausage lovers who value quality and simplicity.
10. SIZZLE: Kiolbassa Smoked Meats Beef Sausage
Crafted in small batches with a Texas-sized commitment to flavor, Kiolbassa’s Smoked Beef Sausage stands out for its rich, smoky taste and simple, high-quality ingredients. Made with whole-muscle beef, garlic, and spices—and smoked over real hardwood—each bite brings bold, authentic flavor without fillers or artificial preservatives. The texture is dense and meaty, delivering that satisfying “snap” when cooked just right. Free from gluten, MSG, and anything artificial, it’s as clean as it is flavorful. Whether sliced into pasta or served straight from the grill, this sausage brings a premium, old-world quality to any meal.
11. SIZZLE: Beyond Meat Plant-Based Sausage
A vibrant twist on traditional links, Beyond Meat’s Pineapple & Jalapeño Sun Sausage brings tropical heat to the plant-based world. Each bite balances sweet and savory with juicy bits of real pineapple and a gentle kick from jalapeños—no overpowering spice, just a bright, lively flavor.
Made with legumes, whole vegetables, and no GMOs, soy, or gluten, this sausage is a clean-label standout. The texture is tender with a crisp sear when grilled, offering a lighter, fresher alternative to heavier meat sausages. Ideal for wraps, bowls, or breakfast, it’s a bold, unexpected option that doesn’t skimp on personality or nutrition.
12. SIZZLE: Pederson’s Natural Farms Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage Links
Pederson’s Natural Farms proves that breakfast sausage can be both flavorful and mindful. Their fully cooked links are made from pork raised without hormones or antibiotics, with no added sugar—making them keto- and Whole30-friendly. The seasoning is simple yet effective: just enough salt and spice to complement the natural meatiness. Each bite is tender but firm, with none of the greasy residue often found in store-bought sausages. Free from preservatives, MSG, and gluten, these sausages deliver clean fuel for the day ahead. If you’re looking for a wholesome, delicious breakfast staple, Pederson’s is a dependable go-to.
13. SIZZLE: Al Fresco All Natural Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage
Bright and Mediterranean-inspired, Al Fresco’s Spinach & Feta Chicken Sausage is a vibrant twist on the everyday link. Packed with tender chicken, real spinach, and tangy feta, it brings a pop of flavor and a lighter feel to your plate.
The sausage is all-natural, made without artificial ingredients or preservatives, and remains lean without sacrificing taste. It’s fully cooked for convenience, and the texture is juicy with bits of crumbled cheese and greens throughout. Whether tossed in a pasta or added to a breakfast bowl, this sausage adds elegance and balance in every bite.
14. SIZZLE: Bilinski’s Organic Mild Italian Chicken Sausage
Bilinski’s Organic Mild Italian Chicken Sausage is a masterclass in clean eating without compromise. Made from organic chicken and seasoned with bell peppers, garlic, and classic Italian herbs, it’s bursting with fresh, garden-inspired flavor. The texture is firm and lean, with a pleasant chew and zero gristle. What really sets it apart is the ingredient list—short, transparent, and entirely free from artificial additives or fillers. With only 80 calories per link and high protein, it’s as nutritious as it is tasty. Whether grilled, pan-seared, or added to pasta, this sausage elevates any dish with flavor and integrity.
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