Demystifying the Distinctions Between Breakfast Sausage and Regular Sausage

I wasn’t eating meat from seventh grade until my senior year of college. Well, I did eat fish, so I guess I was a pescatarian, but I didn’t know that word until college. I also didn’t like eggs because I had an allergy to them as a child, so I couldn’t eat any kind of plain egg. Also, I should say that I don’t like cakes, pies, or anything else in that category (like pancakes and muffins). During this time in my life, breakfast was, understandably, a challenge. Many days I would just skip it altogether and not eat anything until lunch. That was the day my family or friends would go to a breakfast place. I would look at the menu with a frown and usually just order a grilled cheese or tuna melt.

Fortunately, those days are behind me. I do eat meat now, but cake and pies are still not my thing. I have learned to love eggs. Today, breakfast is a delight. And one big reason is sausage. But, apart from it being a satisfyingly meaty a. m. Take a bite. What do we know about breakfast sausage? Let’s learn about this important part of the most important meal of the day. (And if you’re searching for the best breakfast sausage, Sporked has a full ranking. ).

Sausage is a beloved staple across many cuisines and cultures. From bratwursts to chorizo, there are countless varieties to discover. However most American home cooks are familiar with two main types – breakfast sausage and regular sausage. While they may seem interchangeable there are some notable differences between these two sausage varieties.

A Quick Overview of the Key Differences

Before diving into the specifics here is a quick rundown of the main ways breakfast sausage and regular sausage differ

Breakfast sausage is specially seasoned for breakfast dishes, while regular sausage has a wider flavor profile for broader use.
Breakfast sausage is predominantly pork, and sage is a signature seasoning. Regular sausage includes beef, poultry, etc. with diverse spices.
Breakfast sausage has a finer, softer texture and grind. Regular sausage uses coarser meat cuts.
Breakfast sausage tends to be lower in fat than many regular sausage varieties.
Breakfast sausage links are smaller in size than many regular sausages.

Now let’s explore the details behind these distinctions.

The Signature Seasonings

One of the biggest differences between breakfast sausage and regular sausage lies in the signature spices used.

Breakfast sausage highlights sage, black pepper, thyme, and other herbs commonly found in breakfast dishes. The seasoning blend creates a milder, more delicate sausage perfectly suited for mornings.

Regular sausages encompass a much broader range of flavor profiles. Popular varieties like Italian sausage emphasize oregano, fennel seed, red pepper flakes and garlic. Bratwurst contains nutmeg. Chorizo packs the heat with its bold chili seasoning.

So breakfast sausage sticks to its classic subtle sage character, while regular sausage offers an array of bolder, spicier options.

The Types of Meat Used

In the United States, breakfast sausage is overwhelmingly made from ground pork. Turkey or chicken sausages are sometimes available, but pork is by far the most common.

Regular sausage includes pork varieties too, but also incorporates other meats like chicken, turkey, beef, veal, lamb, and more. Some regular sausages are also made from blends of two or more meats.

So breakfast sausage is tied to pork, while regular sausage casts a much wider net protein-wise.

Texture and Fat Content

Breakfast sausage is ground much more finely than many regular sausages, giving it a smoother, softer texture. This allows it to crumble nicely into breakfast staples like eggs or hash.

It also tends to be lower in fat content, especially in comparison to fattier sausages like bratwurst. Too much fat would overwhelm lighter morning dishes.

Regular sausage uses heartier, coarser grinds and no single fat profile, ranging from quite lean to ultra-rich depending on variety. The bolder flavors can handle those bigger fat and spice punches.

Sizing Differences

One quick visual way to spot breakfast sausage is by the size. Breakfast sausage links are typically small, around 2-3 inches long and 0.5 inches in diameter.

Many regular sausages are larger links ranging from 4-6 inches long and 1-1.5 inches in diameter. Bratwursts and Italian sausages are commonly sold in this longer shape.

So if you see petite little links, it’s likely breakfast sausage. Bigger links probably point to a regular sausage.

How They Are Best Cooked

Due to its delicate texture and seasoning, breakfast sausage shines when pan-fried or baked. The mild flavor is easily overwhelmed.

Regular sausage can handle bold cooking methods like grilling, smoking, and stewing since it has a heartier bite and more robust flavor. These cooking methods nicely punctuate the spices in something like chorizo or kielbasa.

So breakfast sausage does best with gentler cooking while regular sausage plays well with bolder preparation.

Breakfast Sausage Uses

Given its mild, finer texture and size, breakfast sausage is right at home in morning dishes like:

Breakfast sandwiches
Omelets
Burritos and breakfast tacos
Breakfast casseroles like strata
Hash
Biscuits and gravy
Frittatas and quiche
Stuffing and dressing

It also livens up things like scrambled eggs or baked beans. Basically, breakfast sausage’s light flavor and texture make it the perfect morning meat.

Regular Sausage Uses

With its wider array of flavors and heartier texture, regular sausage is much more versatile. Here are some popular uses:

Pasta dishes
Soups and stews
Pizza and flatbreads
Sandwiches and subs
Casseroles or mixed rice dishes
Kabobs or sausage rolls
Bean dishes like red beans and rice

It can also be sliced and eaten on its own. Regular sausage’s boldness stands up to being the centerpiece of a dish.

Flavor Varieties Worth Noting

While sage pork remains the breakfast sausage standard, some fun flavor twists are popping up more often. Keep an eye out for:

Maple breakfast sausage – The sweet maple flavor plays nicely with the sage.
Spicy breakfast sausage – Adds a touch of heat to the classic.
Chicken apple breakfast sausage – Uses lean chicken and adds apple for sweetness.
Turkey cranberry breakfast sausage – Another lean option with tart cranberry.

Regular sausage has endless flavor possibilities, but watch for these popular varieties:

Bratwurst – Usually pork-based and seasoned with nutmeg and ginger.
Andouille – Coarsely ground pork and spice combo common in Cajun food.
Chorizo – Highly seasoned fresh or cured pork sausage with smoky spicy flavor.
Italian – Pork or beef seasoned robustly with garlic, oregano, fennel and red pepper flakes.

Which is Healthier?

Breakfast sausage will usually be leaner given its pork base and finer grind. Many regular sausages like chorizo and bratwurst can be high in fat, especially saturated fat and sodium.

That said, both should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Opt for low-sodium varieties when possible.

Can They Be Swapped in Recipes?

While breakfast sausage won’t work in place of a spicy Italian sausage, both types of sausage can substitute for “plain” bulk sausage in recipes. The seasoning distinctions won’t stand out as much.

Just keep in mind breakfast sausage will lend lighter sage notes while regular sausage will provide more oomph. Adjust any other seasonings accordingly.

Tips for Making Your Own Sausage

Want to control the ingredients by making your own sausage? Here are a few tips:

Use a coarse grind for regular sausage and finer for breakfast.
Limit fat to around 20% for breakfast sausage. Regular sausage can go upwards of 30% for hearty varieties.
Add 1-2 tsp total seasoning per pound of meat. Sage is classic for breakfast sausage, while garlic, pepper and oregano excel in regular sausage.
Chill sausage thoroughly before forming patties or stuffing in casings. This helps bind and firm up the texture.
Cook a small patty before final seasoning, then adjust spices to taste.

The Final Takeaway

While breakfast sausage and regular sausage both offer delicious meaty flavor to dishes, they have some distinct differences that impact their best uses. Keeping their unique qualities and ideal cooking methods in mind helps ensure sausage success! Both have a valued place in many cuisines.

Is breakfast sausage keto?

Because breakfast sausage is mostly made from good ol’ meat, it is indeed keto-friendly. But make sure you read the label of the sausage you want to buy because some brands use binding agents like maltodextrin that you wouldn’t be able to eat on a keto diet.

What spices are in breakfast sausage?

The primary seasonings in breakfast sausage are pepper and sage. This recipe from Allrecipes also calls for brown sugar, marjoram, red pepper flakes, and cloves. Some people like their sausage with maple syrup, so some brands can also add maple flavorings. For example, the top brand on Sporked’s list of the best breakfast sausages has maple flavorings added to it.

Breakfast Sausage Brands Ranked From Worst To Best

FAQ

Are sausage and breakfast sausage the same?

Unlike Italian sausage, breakfast sausage often combines ground pork with ground beef to achieve a milder and more versatile flavor. Breakfast sausage is also seasoned differently than Italian sausage. It usually contains a blend of herbs such as sage, thyme, and rosemary, along with salt and pepper.

What makes breakfast sausage taste different?

What gives breakfast sausage its flavor? Traditionally, breakfast sausage is flavored with a blend of spices and herbs, mainly fennel, sage, and thyme. Additional ingredients like rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, or even cayenne pepper can be used, as well.

Is Jimmy Dean regular sausage breakfast sausage?

Our original premium pork fresh sausage is flavored with delicious signature seasonings. This savory, high-quality pork can be enjoyed at breakfast or even dinner.

Can I substitute breakfast sausage for ground pork?

If your recipe calls for ground pork crumbles, and all you have is uncooked sausage in a casing, you can absolutely cut the meat out of the casing and use it. An added benefit here is that the sausage is already seasoned for you, so as long as you’re dexterous with a knife, you can make it work.

What makes breakfast sausage different?

Creating what is one of the most popular breakfast staple foods. So we know that the spices and overall seasoning is what sets apart breakfast sausage from other types. Typically it is the strong flavors resulting from sage, maple seasoning, brown sugar or even ground nutmeg.

Is sausage casing healthier option to eat?

Cellulose casings and some natural casings are perfectly fine to eat. Sausage casings are used to hold and shape filling inside so that it can be cooked. There are natural sausage casings and synthetic varieties, and most of them are edible. The healthiest way to cook them is by boiling or baking. Sausages provide high levels of vitamin B12 and iron, both of which are essential for healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin production.

What is the difference between Italian sausage and breakfast sausage?

One main difference between say Italian sausage and breakfast sausage, is the use of fennel seed. Which is a important ingredient used in the Italian version. Most if not all morning sausages do not contain fennel. Unlike Italian sausages they are not usually very strongly spiced. The flavor is very mild and not typically spicy at all.

What is breakfast sausage?

Breakfast sausage is made with herbs and spices not typically used in other sausages. Historically it began with adding sage into the sausage. This was the first breakfast or country sausage. Today sage is still used to flavor most breakfast sausages, along with maple syrup or brown sugar. There are different version of breakfast sausages.