If you want Italian food, try our Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage. It has only 10g of fat per serving. As versatile as it is delicious, the recipes are endless with this flavorful family favorite. Shady Brook Farms® turkeys are raised by independent farmers with no growth-promoting antibiotics, added hormones or steroids. When you enjoy Shady Brook Farms®, you’re a part of how good feeds good.
Turkey, seasoning (potato extract, salt, sugar, calcium lactate, spices, paprika, spice extractives, extractives of paprika), water. (Calcium alginate casing).
Turkey sausage is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional pork sausage. But a common question from consumers is – does turkey sausage contain pork casing?
As a longtime sausage enthusiast and food blogger, I’ve done extensive research on this topic. In this article, I’ll provide a complete lowdown on turkey sausage casings. We’ll look at:
- What turkey sausage is
- Differences between pork and turkey sausage
- Pork casings vs alternative casings
- Whether turkey sausage contains pork casing
- Halal turkey sausage options
- Health benefits of turkey sausage
- Tips for cooking with turkey sausage
So if you want the full scoop on turkey sausage casings, you’ve come to the right place!
What Is Turkey Sausage?
Turkey sausage refers to sausage made primarily from ground turkey meat. Because it is made from lean ground pork instead of pork sausage, it became a healthier option.
The main ingredients in turkey sausage are
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Ground turkey meat – this is the key ingredient Turkey meat is lower in fat than pork
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Seasonings – turkey sausage contains spices and herbs for flavor. Common seasonings include garlic, sage, thyme, cayenne pepper.
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Preservatives – these help maintain freshness and extend shelf life. Common preservatives used are sodium nitrite and sodium erythorbate.
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Binders – these hold the sausage together and retain moisture Binders include breadcrumbs or rice flour.
Turkey sausage comes in different forms – patties, links or bulk. It’s available in diverse flavors like Italian, chorizo style, maple, spicy etc. Overall, it has a more delicate flavor compared to pork sausage.
How Does Turkey Sausage Differ From Pork Sausage?
While both contain similar ingredients, there are some key differences between pork and turkey sausage:
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Meat – Pork sausage uses fatty pork cuts like shoulder or belly. Turkey sausage uses leaner ground turkey.
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Fat content – Pork sausage is higher in fat and calories than turkey.
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Flavor – Pork has a richer, meatier flavor compared to the milder turkey taste.
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Texture – Pork sausage can be coarse or fine. Turkey has a softer, slightly mushy texture.
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Cost – Turkey sausage is a little pricier than pork sausage.
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Versatility – Turkey works better in dishes where sausage is not the star player. Pork stands out more.
Pork Casing vs Alternative Sausage Casings
When it comes to sausage casings, the most common traditional options are pork and beef casings. But what are the differences, and what alternatives exist today?
Pork Casings
For generations, pork intestines have been the casing of choice for many types of sausages. Here are some key facts about pork casings:
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Made from the small intestines of pigs
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Prized for their traditional appearance and hearty bite
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Produce a distinctive “snap” when you bite into the sausage
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Need to be soaked before use to remove salt and soften
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Provide a natural home for bacteria needed to ferment sausages like salami
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Give sausages a classic, old-world look and feel
Beef Casings
Beef casings offer another traditional natural option:
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Made from the submucosa layer of cow intestines
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Can be edible or inedible varieties
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Thicker and more robust than pork casings
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Well suited to large diameter sausages like salami
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Inedible types give a good surface for smoked sausages
Alternative Casings
Today there are many types of alternative casings to choose from:
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Collagen – Made from bovine collagen, derived from cow hides/bones.
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Cellulose – Derived from wood pulp or plant fiber. Removed after cooking.
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Plastic – Inedible synthetic casings. Good for bulk sausage.
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Vegetarian – Made from seaweed, plant fiber, etc. Meet dietary needs.
The Answer: Does Turkey Sausage Contain Pork Casing?
Now we come to the key question – does turkey sausage contain pork casing?
The short answer is no. While pork casings have been used traditionally, today most turkey sausages use collagen, cellulose or synthetic casings.
Here are some reasons why pork casings are rarely used for turkey sausages:
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Collagen casings have excellent moisture retention – important for lean turkey meat.
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Cellulose casings easily meet kosher and halal dietary requirements.
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Synthetic casings allow larger scale production for turkey sausage.
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Vegetarian casings cater to consumer demand for plant-based and cleaner ingredients.
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Pork allergies – a significant number of people experience allergies from pork casings.
So while old-world style turkey sausages may still use pork casing, collagen or cellulose casings are now the norm for commercial turkey sausage. I personally recommend choosing plant-based vegetarian casings for the cleanest eating!
Delicious Halal Turkey Sausage Options
For our Muslim friends, halal turkey sausages offer a delicious meaty taste while conforming to Islamic dietary laws. Here are some tasty halal turkey sausage picks:
Halal Turkey Breakfast Sausage
These make a perfect protein-rich start to your day. Spiced just right with garlic, coriander and pepper, they have a mouthwatering flavor. Cook and serve alongside eggs for a satisfying breakfast.
Mild Halal Turkey Sausage
The milder cousin of spicy breakfast sausage, these clean-tasting links are lightly seasoned with Mediterranean spices. Enjoy them on grilled cheese sandwiches or in heartwarming soups. Kid-approved too!
Halal Chicken Apple Turkey Sausages
A tasty blend of lean chicken and turkey, with added sweetness from apple. The chicken boosts juiciness, while apple balances the savory spices. Great snack sausages right off the grill.
So try these halal turkey sausage options for a enjoying flavorful, conforming-to-Quran meat.
5 Health Benefits of Choosing Turkey Sausage
Beyond religious considerations, turkey sausage offers some excellent health upsides too. Here are 5 benefits of choosing turkey over pork sausage:
1. Lower in fat – Turkey meat is much leaner, meaning significantly lower fat intake.
2. Fewer calories – The fat reduction also leads to lower calorie consumption.
3. Higher protein – Turkey meat has more protein per gram compared to pork.
4. Lower cholesterol – The white meat from turkey contains less cholesterol than red meat.
5. Versatile – Mild turkey taste means you can add other flavors easily.
So by choosing turkey sausage, you eat cleaner, healthier and more flexibly!
Cooking with Turkey Sausage – Tips and Recipe Ideas
Turkey sausage is a handy kitchen staple that works great in many dishes. Here are some tips for cooking success:
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Don’t overcook – Turkey sausage dries out easily. Cook at medium heat till just browned and cooked through.
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Add oil – The lean meat can stick to pans easily. Add a drizzle of oil before cooking.
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Pair with flavors – Mix with stronger flavored ingredients like peppers, onions, beans etc.
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Use in soups – Add protein and texture by slicing sausage into hearty bean or vegetable soups.
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Bake into bread – Slices of turkey sausage baked into bread or muffins make a wholesome breakfast.
Now let’s look at some tasty recipe ideas:
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Breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese
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Sausage ragu with pasta or zoodles
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Sheet pan dinner with veggies and sausage
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Turkey sausage quiche or strata
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Hearty sausage and kale soup
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Egg muffins with sausage crumbles
So get cooking with turkey sausage today! The options are endless.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully this comprehensive article has cleared up any confusion about pork casings in turkey sausages. To summarize:
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Turkey sausage is a healthier, leaner alternative to pork sausage.
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Most turkey sausages today use collagen, cellulose or synthetic casings instead of pork casings.
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Halal turkey sausages offer a delicious conforming-to-Islam option.
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Choosing turkey sausage gives benefits like lower fat, fewer calories, and more protein.
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With some simple tips, turkey sausage can be used in many easy, tasty recipes.
Turkey Sausage Vs Pork Sausage: Everything You Need To Know
FAQ
What is the casing of turkey sausage made of?
Does turkey sausage have pork in it?
What sausage does not have pork casing?
Does Butterball turkey sausage have pork casing?
Are turkey sausages smoked?
Turkey sausages aren’t usually smoked due to their lower fat content. Pork sausages are usually cheaper than turkey sausages. Turkey sausages are usually more expensive than the pork type. Summary Table: Pork Sausage vs. Turkey Sausage What Is Pork Sausage? What Is Turkey Sausage? What Are the Similarities Between Pork Sausage and Turkey Sausage?
Is turkey sausage healthier than pork sausage?
Turkey sausage is generally lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol than pork sausage. A 3-ounce serving of turkey sausage typically contains about 150 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 50 milligrams of cholesterol.
What is turkey sausage made of?
Turkey sausage is made from turkey meat (instead of pork) with mixtures of salt, fat, and seasonings. It uses turkey breasts and thighs and has many minerals and flavors, and pork and beef trimmings can also be added. Turkey sausage is available in different sizes, from petite-sized link portions to rings of sausage measuring around 12 inches long.
Can turkey sausage be used as a filling?
Both turkey sausage and pork sausage can be used as a filling for tacos or burritos. They can also be used in a variety of dishes, such as breakfast sandwiches and omelets, and in casseroles.