Is Burger King Sausage Pork? Examining the New Plant-Based Options

As a fast food connoisseur and vegetarian I was excited to hear about Burger King’s new Impossible Croissan’wich. But I had to wonder – with this new plant-based option is Burger King sausage still pork, or have they switched to a meatless alternative?

In this article, we’ll investigate the components of Burger King’s revamped breakfast sandwiches to determine if their sausage contains pork or is completely plant-based.

An Overview of Burger King’s Breakfast Menu

Burger King’s breakfast menu has long relied on pork-based sausage patties to round out sandwiches like the Croissan’wich. Traditionally, their sausage contains ground pork blended with spices and seasonings.

But in early 2020, Burger King added the Impossible Croissan’wich, swapping the pork for Impossible Food’s plant-based sausage This move mirrors the 2019 addition of the Impossible Whopper, using an Impossible Burger instead of beef.

The new Impossible patties allow vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters seeking healthier options to enjoy Burger King classics like never before. But how exactly do they achieve the taste of pork without using any meat?

Inside the Impossible Pork Sausage Patty

Impossible Foods, Burger King’s partner in plant-based protein, uses an ingenious process to mimic meat from plants. Their sausage gets its pork-like flavor from the following ingredients:

• Soy protein concentrate – Provides texture and structure
• Sunflower oil – Adds moisture and fat content
• Natural flavors – For pork-like taste
• Spices – Including garlic and onion powders
• Soy leghemoglobin (heme) – Replicates the “meaty” flavor

The plant-based sausage looks, cooks, and tastes remarkably similar to the pork version. But unlike pork, it contains no cholesterol, has fiber, and is lower in fat and sodium.

Comparing Nutrition Facts of Pork Sausage and Impossible Sausage

Looking at the nutrition labels reveals some of the health benefits of switching to plant-based sausage:

• Impossible – 220 calories, 13g fat, 0 mg cholesterol
• Pork – 260 calories, 20g fat, 60mg cholesterol

The Impossible version is lower in calories and unhealthy saturated fat. It eliminates dietary cholesterol completely.

However, it does contain more sodium – 420mg vs 70mg per patty. But overall, the plant-based Impossible sausage offers a nutritionally superior alternative to pork sausage.

How the Impossible Croissan’wich Stacks Up to the Original

To compare the sandwiches, I ordered an original Croissan’wich and the new Impossible version. Here’s how they fared:

• Appearance – Identical in size and color. Impossible patty realistically mimics the look of pork.

• Texture – Impossible patty is a bit softer and more delicate when bitten. Pork has more firmness and density.

• Flavor – Seasoning and spices make the Impossible patty taste remarkably close to pork sausage.

• Overall – Aside from a slightly softer texture, the Impossible Croissan’wich tastes nearly identical to the original.

For vegetarians like myself, the Impossible version provides the same satisfying flavors and textures of Burger King’s breakfast sandwiches, without the meat.

The Verdict – Is Burger King Sausage Still Pork in 2022?

The answer is yes and no. Burger King still offers their original pork sausage Croissan’wich nationally.

But in markets where the Impossible Croissan’wich is available, customers can opt for the plant-based sausage patty made of soy instead of pork.

The Impossible patty replicates the pork flavor and texture without any animal ingredients. This provides vegetarians, vegans, and anyone looking to reduce meat consumption with a delicious plant-based breakfast sandwich option.

So while their traditional sausage does still contain pork, Burger King now caters to alternative diets and lifestyles with the Impossible Croissan’wich. We can expect even more meatless menu innovations as the fast food industry continues to evolve.