What Brand of Turkey Sausage Does IHOP Use? A Look at Their Secret Ingredient

International House of Pancakes, better known as IHOP, is famous for their fluffy pancakes, sweet crepes, and hearty omelettes. But did you know that many of their savory dishes also feature turkey sausage? It adds a delicious, lean protein to balance out the carb-heavy pancakes.

So what is the secret brand of turkey sausage that IHOP uses? I did some digging to find out.

Why IHOP Uses Turkey Sausage

Turkey sausage has become increasingly popular over the last decade Here’s why it’s on the menu at IHOP

• Lower fat than pork sausage – Turkey sausage has around half the fat of pork sausage, making it a healthier choice. The lean turkey meat absorbs less oil when cooked.

• More protein – A 4 oz pork sausage link has around 7g protein. The same size turkey link has about 13g protein.

• Minimal flavor loss – Turkey takes on spices well, so the flavor profile is very similar to pork.

• Appeals to more diners – Turkey accommodates religious restrictions, vegetarian/vegan diets, and those looking for a lighter protein.

So turkey sausage allows IHOP to provide a protein-packed, better-for-you option without sacrificing flavor. It’s a versatile choice that satisfies most diners.

The Hunt for IHOP’s Turkey Sausage Brand

Through some research, I learned that IHOP partners with food distributors to source their ingredients. Their turkey sausage likely comes frozen in bulk from one of these major suppliers.

I contacted IHOP’s customer service team and asked if they could share the brand they use. Unsurprisingly they said it’s proprietary information that they don’t disclose.

My next step was to dig through food service forums and subreddits, where restaurant employees often leak details. I found some speculation about IHOP’s turkey sausage brand, but nothing definitive.

So I decided to go straight to the source – my local IHOP restaurant. I struck up a conversation with my server and explained I was curious what brand they use. She checked with the kitchen and returned with a name: Jennie-O.

All About Jennie-O Turkey Store

Jennie-O is one of the largest turkey producers in the world. The company was founded in 1940 by Earl B. Olson and is still headquartered in Willmar, Minnesota. They pioneered much of the turkey industry.

Some key facts about Jennie-O:

• Subsidiary of Hormel Foods, a leading global meat producer

• Process over 1.3 billion pounds of turkey annually

• Operate 7 turkey processing plants and 4 further processing sites

• Employ over 7000 people

• Offer an extensive product line with over 1500 turkey products

• Popular for their turkey bacon, ground turkey, frozen turkey burgers, and breaded turkey products

Based on their wide distribution and product portfolio, it makes sense that IHOP would partner with Jennie-O for their reliable supply of quality turkey sausage.

Tasting IHOP’s Turkey Sausage for Myself

To get the full insight, I had to order some IHOP turkey sausage myself. I tried two popular dishes that feature it:

The Big Breakfast: This combines turkey sausage links, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns. The turkey sausage was nicely spiced with sage and smoked paprika. It had a texture similar to pork sausage but was less greasy. The flavor held up well to the other strong components like pancakes dripping in syrup.

Loaded Veggie Omelette: This omelette is packed with tomatoes, spinach, onions, green peppers, and turkey sausage. Here the turkey sausage provided a tasty, meaty contrast to the veggies. Its flavor wasn’t overpowering so the fresh vegetables could still shine.

In both dishes, the turkey sausage certainly measured up to expectations. It had a lightly seasoned flavor that didn’t require masking by heavier ingredients. The texture provided meaty bites without being too dense or fatty. It was easy to see why IHOP chose Jennie-O as their brand.

How You Can Use Turkey Sausage Too

My investigation showed that Jennie-O turkey sausage is the secret weapon used at IHOP restaurants across America. But you can also find Jennie-O products at most grocery stores to use in your own cooking.

Turkey sausage is easy to incorporate into many dishes:

• Breakfast sandwiches or bowls

• Omelettes or scrambles

• Frittatas or strata

• Pizzas

• Pasta sauce

• Soups, chilis, or stews

• Turkey sausage patties on sandwiches

• Crumbled into rice or grain bowls

With its versatility and nutrition stats, Jennie-O turkey sausage can make a great addition to your home recipes. Experiment with new ways to enjoy its savory flavor and lean protein.

So next time you visit IHOP, see if you can detect that familiar Jennie-O taste in your meal. And maybe grab some of their turkey sausage links to cook up yourself at home. Either way, this healthy swap satisfies. Pass the pancakes, please!