Except for our Scrapple, which is made at a different factory, all of Jones Dairy Farm’s meats are gluten-free.
Gluten is a family of proteins found in certain grains, including wheat, rye and barley. Contrary to popular belief, rice is naturally gluten-free. Gluten helps foods maintain their shape, acting as a glue that holds food together. The Celiac Disease Foundation says that gluten can be found in a lot of different foods, even ones that you might not think have it.
Going gluten-free can feel restrictive at first, especially if you love breads, pastas, and sausages. But having to avoid gluten doesn’t mean you have to give up savory sausages entirely. There are actually many delicious gluten-free sausage options out there!
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain what makes a sausage gluten-free, list over 15 top brands of gluten-free sausages, share gluten-free sausage recipes, and provide tips for safely choosing gluten-free sausages. My goal is to empower you to enjoy sausages again by arming you with the knowledge you need to make informed choices
What Makes a Sausage Gluten-Free?
For a sausage to be gluten-free, it must not contain any wheat, rye, barley or oats These grains contain the protein gluten, which causes issues for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
In addition a gluten-free sausage should not come into contact with gluten during processing. Cross-contamination is a concern as even tiny amounts of gluten can make someone sick.
That’s why it’s important to look for sausages that are certified gluten-free, meaning they are tested to ensure gluten levels are under 20ppm (parts per million). An even stricter standard is under 10ppm or 5ppm.
Top Brands of Gluten-Free Sausages
Here are some of the top brands that make gluten-free sausages:
Aidells
All Aidells sausages are certified gluten-free, with fun flavors like Mango Chile Chicken and Spinach Feta Chicken. Just avoid their meatballs, which contain gluten.
Al Fresco
Try their chicken sausages in flavors like Roasted Red Pepper and Asiago. All Al Fresco sausages are labeled gluten-free.
Applegate
From breakfast sausage to chicken and apple, all of Applegate’s sausage varieties are labeled gluten-free.
Banquet Brown and Serve
A budget-friendly option, Banquet’s brown and serve breakfast sausages are labeled gluten-free.
Bass Farms
This North Carolina company uses no gluten ingredients in their sausage. Try their mild, spicy, or maple flavored varieties.
Beeler’s
Beeler’s gluten-free options range from bratwurst to smoked maple breakfast links. All are labeled gluten-free.
Hatfield
Hatfield certifies their Italian sausage, smoked kielbasa, and other varieties as gluten-free.
Jones Dairy Farm
Jones has a line of sausages made in a dedicated gluten-free facility. Their breakfast sausage comes in links, patties, and rolls.
Niman Ranch
Spicy Italian, apple chicken, and uncured breakfast are some gluten-free choices from Niman Ranch.
Wellshire Farms
This brand has gluten-free options like original pork sausage patties and links.
There are so many great gluten-free sausage options from quality brands. Be sure to double check labels though, as manufacturing can change.
Tips for Safely Choosing Gluten-Free Sausages
While many big brands now offer gluten-free sausages, you still need to be a careful label reader to avoid gluten. Here are some tips:
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Look for a “gluten-free” label – This is your best bet for certainty. In the U.S., products must contain less than 20ppm of gluten to be labeled gluten-free.
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Check the ingredients – No wheat, barley, rye or oats should be listed.
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Call the manufacturer – If uncertain, you can call and ask about their processing practices.
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Look for certification – Higher standards like GFCO certification indicate robust gluten testing.
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Shop specialty brands – Smaller gluten-free brands often take extra care to avoid cross-contamination.
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Buy fresh sausages – The butcher counter will have more knowledge than pre-packaged.
Taking the time to carefully source your sausage is worth it for your peace of mind!
8 Delicious Gluten-Free Sausage Recipes
To help you enjoy gluten-free sausages to the fullest, here are some my favorite recipes:
1. Gluten-Free Breakfast Casserole
This easy breakfast casserole combines potatoes, eggs, cheese and sausage for a hearty start to the day.
2. Simple Gluten-Free Sausage Patties
Whip up a batch of classic seasoned breakfast sausage patties to freeze for quick meals.
3. Italian Sausage Soup
This hearty soup is comfort in a bowl, with spicy Italian sausage, tomatoes and spinach.
4. Cajun Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a flavorful one-pot dish, perfect for using up leftover sausage.
5. Chicken Sausage Pasta
Toss sautéed chicken sausage with veggies and gluten-free pasta for a fast weeknight dinner.
6. Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies
For easy cooking, roast sausage with potatoes, broccoli, peppers and onions.
7. Gluten-Free Sausage Balls
These savory baked sausage balls are great for parties or weekends.
8. Sausage and Sauerkraut
Simmer sausage with tangy sauerkraut and apples for a German-inspired meal.
Get creative with these recipes or substitute gluten-free sausage into your own favorite meals. The possibilities are endless!
Enjoying Gluten-Free Sausages Safely
While gluten-free sausages open up a lot of options, they may not be suitable for everyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Some individuals are highly sensitive and react to traces of gluten. The CC cross contact in manufacturing facilities can also be an issue.
It’s important to work closely with your doctor when deciding which foods and brands feel safe for your particular health needs. You may need to stick with very strictly certified brands or unprocessed meat from the butcher counter.
Pay attention to how your body reacts when trying new products. If you have symptoms, discontinue eating that item. Over time, you will learn what your body can and cannot tolerate.
Sausages Can Still Be Savory When You Go Gluten-Free
Eating gluten-free doesn’t mean the end of beloved sausages. With so many high-quality gluten-free brands and homemade options, you can find the right fit for your diet and tastes. Hopefully this guide has helped you learn how to identify and choose gluten-free sausages as well as given recipe inspiration.
The key is taking the time to read labels carefully, learn manufacturing processes, and listen to your own body. While it does require some extra work, sticking to a gluten-free diet has huge benefits if you need to avoid gluten.
The good news is that the gluten-free food market will likely continue expanding options. We’ve come a long way already! So don’t despair. With the right knowledge and choices, you can still savor flavorful sausages as part of your gluten-free diet.
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How do you know if the meat you’re buying is gluten free?
It’s important to look for a gluten-free label, call-out, or logo and check for allergens and obvious ingredients like wheat and other grains. According to the FDA, manufacturers may voluntarily claim products as “gluten free” as long as the requirements are met, including less than 20ppm (parts per million). 20ppm is sometimes enough to trigger a gluten allergy or auto-immune response.
We make it easy for you to trust that Jones Dairy Farm products are gluten-free by going the extra mile to get certified.
Because we’re certified gluten free, Jones Dairy Farm goes through rigorous testing to ensure the quality and safety of our products. We maintain a standard of fewer than 5ppm of gluten, as measured by the Gluten Free Food Program organization. You will find a Certified Gluten Free logo on all of our gluten free products including all of our all natural sausage offerings, naturally smoked hams and Canadian bacon, dry aged bacon, and braunschweiger liver sausage.
Except for our Scrapple, which is made at a different factory, all of Jones Dairy Farm’s meats are gluten-free. They have been gluten free for more than 130 years, and we take pride in that!.
Here’s a breakdown of our top gluten-free meat products, including:
- All Natural Raw and Cooked Sausage
- Dry Aged Bacon
- Canadian bacon
- Naturally Smoked Ham
- Braunschweiger
- Meatballs
We’ve also included links to popular gluten-free recipes for you to try.
Gluten-Free All Natural Breakfast Sausage
Which Jones breakfast sausage products are gluten free?
No added nitrites, preservatives, or MSG are used in any of our breakfast sausage, whether it’s raw or fully cooked. It’s also all natural and barely processed. Check out some of our popular products:
What makes our breakfast sausage gluten free?
While other manufacturers are adding fillers to their products, we have always stuck to our standards: Pork. Salt. Spices. They are short and easy to understand, which is hard to find these days. Not many meat companies can beat our clean labels.
All of our sausage is certified by the Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP).
Gluten-free sausage recipes
Need some ideas for a new (or old) favorite breakfast recipe? Here are some of our most-loved gluten-free sausage recipes:
Vegan Sausage Recipe (Gluten-Free Veggie Bratwurst)
FAQ
Are there gluten free sausages?
Is all Jimmy Dean sausage gluten-free?
Is Johnsonville sausage gluten-free?
Does turkey sausage have gluten?