Demystifying Dunkin’s Turkey Sausage – Is it Really Square-Shaped?

Dunkin’ Donuts is renowned for its mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches featuring fluffy eggs melted cheese and tasty sausage or bacon on a freshly baked bagel croissant or biscuit. Customers who want to enjoy the flavor of savory sausage without the extra fat and cholesterol of pork or beef often opt for Dunkin’s turkey sausage sandwich option. But this turkey “sausage” sandwich comes with an unusual twist – the patty is square instead of round! What’s the story behind Dunkin’s unconventionally shaped turkey sausage? Let’s uncover the mystery.

The Origin of Dunkin’s Square Turkey Sausage

In 2012, Dunkin’ Donuts introduced a flatter, square-shaped turkey “sausage” patty to its lineup of breakfast sandwich options. This was part of an initiative to offer more menu choices for health-conscious customers looking to reduce fat and calories without sacrificing flavor By reshaping their turkey sausage from a traditional circular puck into a quadrilateral form, Dunkin’ created a patty that could be layered perfectly on sandwiches.

The square shape allowed the turkey sausage to align seamlessly with the triangle wedges of an English muffin. It also provided even coverage when paired with Dunkin’s rectangular croissants and biscuits. The reformulated turkey sausage patty was engineered to deliver the same savory taste and texture as pork sausage, while fitting nicely into sandwiches. This innovation allowed customers to enjoy a satisfying sausage experience even when ordering the lower-fat turkey option.

Why Dunkin’ Stuck With Square Instead of Round Sausage

After debuting the square turkey sausage over a decade ago, Dunkin’ has maintained its distinctive shape rather than returning to a round form. There are some clear benefits to the squared-off turkey patty:

• Even Coverage – The square shape distributes turkey sausage evenly across the sandwich bread for balanced flavor in every bite.

• No Slipping Around – Four straight sides keeps the turkey patty neatly in place between bread and prevents slipping out.

• Perfect Portions – Squared corners make it easy to achieve consistent 2-ounce portion sizes for each patty.

• Better Bread Integration – Straight lines meld seamlessly into the angles of English muffins, croissants and biscuits.

• Improved Storage – Square patties can be stacked evenly in storage trays for more efficient prep table usage.

The quadrilateral form factor clearly optimizes how the turkey sausage integrates with the rest of Dunkin’s sandwich components for an improved customer experience.

Serving Up Square Success Nationwide

Since debuting over a decade ago, the square turkey sausage patty has become a menu staple at Dunkin’ locations across America. It established itself as a healthier alternative to Dunkin’s traditional pork sausage rounds. While some customers were initially confused by the unusual shape of the turkey sausage, most welcomed it as an innovative approach to crafting a better sandwich.

The square form has allowed Dunkin’ to deliver a leaner sausage option that seamlessly aligns with the rest of the sandwich. This turkey patty consistency enables patrons to enjoy the Dunkin’ breakfast flavors they crave, regardless of which meat they prefer. The square turkey sausage has been so successful that it has become an expected part of the Dunkin’ menu.

Does Square Equal Healthy? Nutrition Facts Explained

Many customers assume that because it is turkey, Dunkin’s square sausage patty is automatically a healthier choice than pork or beef. However, the nutrition facts reveal that it may not be as slimming as perceived:

• Calories – 140 per square patty. Only around 30 less than typical pork sausage.

• Fat – 9g of fat per serving is relatively high for turkey.

• Sodium – 710mg is nearly a third of recommended daily value.

• Protein – 10g of protein is decent but lower than some pork sausages.

• Additives – Contains dairy, soy, carrageenan and other fillers.

So while square turkey sausage has fewer calories than pork, it still contains quite a bit of fat, sodium and additives. Customers seeking truly healthy sausage may be better off requesting egg sandwiches without meat.

Does Shape Really Matter? Customer Opinions Vary

Opinions differ on whether the square shape of Dunkin’s turkey sausage patty matters to the overall sandwich experience. Here’s a sampling of perspectives:

• “I think it’s just a gimmick. The shape doesn’t change the taste.”

• “I like that it covers the whole muffin evenly. A round one leaves the edges dry.”

• “It weirds me out. Sausage is supposed to be round. This looks like lunch meat.”

• “Square sausage is smarter. It fits better into the sandwich.”

• “Who cares what shape it is as long as it tastes good!”

So Dunkin’ patrons range from praising the practicality of square sausage to disliking the unconventional shape. It comes down to personal preference.

Does Dunkin’ Offer Any Regular Round Turkey Sausage?

While their original square turkey sausage still dominates menus, Dunkin’ has expanded their options over the years. Some locations now offer a “Homestyle” round turkey sausage patty alternative. However, it tends to be a regional or limited-time offering only. The classic square turkey sausage remain the standard at most Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide. Customers seeking a circular turkey sausage patty may need to look to other chains like Starbucks or McDonalds.

Can Customers Special Order a Different Shape?

Given that some Dunkin’ aficionados really prefer the round sausage shape, are they able to customize their orders? Unfortunately, the square turkey sausage patties come pre-formed and frozen to each location. Employees do not make them from scratch in-house. So there is no way for restaurants to provide round turkey sausage patties on demand. However, customers can order any sandwich with no meat at all and add veggie sides like hash browns to craft a satisfying meatless meal.

The Square Patty Stands the Test of Time

For over ten years, Dunkin’s steady square turkey sausage patty has earned its place on the menu as a lighter protein alternative with visual sandwich appeal. Its unconventional shape may confuse some new customers at first glance. However, most diners appreciate the square patty’s practicality and ability to bring hearty flavor in a better-fitting form. The sizzling square sausage has achieved icon status alongside Dunkin’s many other menu innovations. This ultimately illustrates how thinking creatively outside the bun can drive lasting success even with the most basic breakfast staples like sausage.