Turkey sausage is a popular alternative to traditional pork sausage. It is often seen as a healthier option due to its lower fat content. But is turkey sausage gluten free and safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?
The short answer is – it depends. Plain turkey meat is naturally gluten free. However, many turkey sausages contain other ingredients that may contain gluten. It is important to read labels carefully to choose certified gluten free or verified gluten free turkey sausage.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing safe turkey sausage, including:
- Is plain turkey gluten free?
- What makes sausage not gluten free?
- How to find gluten free turkey sausage
- Recommended brands of gluten free turkey sausage
- Tips for cooking gluten free turkey sausage
Is Plain Turkey Meat Gluten Free?
Plain, unseasoned turkey meat is naturally gluten free. Turkey does not contain the proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and other gluten containing grains that trigger a reaction in those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
So if you buy a whole turkey, turkey breast, or ground turkey, you can be confident it’s gluten free as long as no gluten containing ingredients have been added.
Be aware that the skin or stuffing put on the turkey may contain gluten It’s best to remove these before eating if you want to be 100% sure the turkey is gluten free
What Makes Sausage Not Gluten Free?
While turkey meat starts out gluten free turkey sausage often contains other ingredients that may include gluten such as
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Binders: Wheat flour is sometimes added as a binder to help hold the sausage together. Other binders like corn starch may be processed in facilities that also handle wheat.
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Fillers and texturizers Breadcrumbs or wheat flour are sometimes used as fillers Other texturizers like xanthan gum can be made from corn and wheat.
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Flavorings: Many spice blends contain wheat flour or malt barley. Soy sauce is also commonly used.
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Preservatives: Some preservatives may contain gluten or be processed alongside wheat.
So you can’t assume turkey sausage is gluten free even when wheat, barley or rye aren’t in the ingredients list. Cross contamination is possible during processing and from minor ingredients.
How to Find Truly Gluten Free Turkey Sausage
To make sure your turkey sausage is 100% gluten free, look for varieties that are:
1. Labeled Gluten Free
Look for turkey sausage that states “gluten free” clearly on the label. Brands like Aidells label their turkey sausages gluten free.
For a product to be labeled gluten free in the United States, it must contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This very low level gives confidence that cross contamination risks have been avoided.
2. Verified by Third Party Testing
An alternative to a gluten free label is choosing turkey sausage verified through third party testing. This ensures testing is done independently to confirm gluten levels are under 20 ppm.
The Celiac Support Association and Gluten Intolerance Group both have verification programs. Look for their certification symbols on packaging.
3. Made Without Gluten Ingredients
Another option is turkey sausage made without any wheat, barley, rye or gluten derivatives called out in the ingredients list. Brands like Applegate Farms take this approach.
While the risk of gluten cross contamination still exists, you avoid direct sources of gluten from ingredients.
4. Certified Gluten Free
Finally, some brands have their facilities and equipment certified gluten free. This rigorous level of testing further reduces any risk of cross contamination.
Very few turkey sausage brands currently carry this certification, but it provides maximum assurance.
Recommended Brands of Gluten Free Turkey Sausage
Here are some top recommended brands to look for when buying gluten free turkey sausage:
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Aidells – All Aidells turkey sausage varieties are labeled gluten free. Flavors include Apple Gouda, Sundried Tomato & Basil, and Chicken Sausage with Spinach & Feta.
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Applegate – Applegate Organics and Applegate Naturals turkey sausages are made without gluten-containing ingredients. Try their popular Chicken & Maple Links.
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Jones Dairy Farm – All Jones turkey sausage links have a gluten free label, including flavors like Turkey Maple sausage and Turkey Andouille sausage.
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Wellshire Farms – Wellshire Farms turkey sausages are all labeled gluten free. They have more unique flavors like Ginger Lemongrass and Smoked Turkey Andouille.
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Pederson’s Natural Farms – Pederson’s turkey sausages are certified gluten free to under 10 ppm. Flavors include Classic Turkey and Chorizo Turkey sausage.
Tips for Cooking Gluten Free Turkey Sausage
Once you’ve chosen a safe gluten free turkey sausage, follow these tips for cooking and serving:
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Check labels – Double check the gluten free label and ingredients each time you buy as formulations can change.
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Cook thoroughly – Turkey sausage needs to be cooked to 165°F internally to eliminate bacteria. Make sure there’s no pink remaining.
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Avoid cross contamination – Use separate utensils and cookware and wash hands after handling regular sausage to prevent CC.
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Add flavor safely – Season gluten free turkey sausage with fresh herbs, spices, mustard or gluten free barbecue sauce.
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Store properly – Keep uncooked turkey sausage refrigerated and use within 1 week. Freeze for longer storage.
The Bottom Line
Plain turkey without additives is gluten free. But when buying seasoned turkey sausage, it’s essential to read labels carefully and look for a gluten free label, third party certification, or no gluten ingredients. Cross contamination with wheat or barley during processing can occur.
Leading brands like Aidells, Applegate Farms, Jones Dairy Farm, Wellshire Farms and Pederson’s offer high quality gluten free turkey sausage options. Following label instructions and cooking properly will ensure your gluten free turkey sausage is safe to enjoy.
Gluten Free Turkey Sausage
FAQ
Is turkey sausage gluten free?
Which sausage is gluten free?
Can you eat sausage with celiac disease?
Is aidells sausage gluten free?
Are chicken sausages gluten free?
Yes, sausages with natural casings can be gluten free as long as the meat and other ingredients are gluten free, and the sausages are processed in a dedicated gluten-free facility. 3. Are chicken sausages usually gluten free? Chicken sausages can be gluten free if they are made without any gluten-containing additives or fillers.
Is yogurt gluten free?
Dairy products do not have gluten, yogurt is one of them. But before buying, you should look at the labels, as some brands may contain formulations with complementary ingredients.
Are Vegetarian sausages gluten free?
Not necessarily. Some vegetarian sausages may contain gluten-based ingredients such as wheat gluten or barley. It’s important to read the label and check for potential cross-contamination during processing. 5. Can I trust sausages labeled as “gluten free”?
Where can I find gluten free sausage?
Just stroll down your local grocery store meat section and you’ll be sure to find the perfect sausage that’s free of any gluten or gluten containing ingredients. However, when it comes to finding a certified gluten free sausage, it becomes quite challenging.
Are organic sausages gluten free?
No, organic sausages are not automatically gluten free. While organic sausages may be made with high-quality ingredients, they can still contain gluten-based additives or have been processed in facilities where cross-contamination occurs. 8. Can sausage spices or flavorings contain gluten?
Are smoked sausages gluten-free?
The list includes smoked sausages, dinner sausages, and breakfast sausages. Many of these products are tested for gluten cross-contamination and labeled as gluten-free. Others certify products gluten-free, which means they test far lower than the minimum FDA gluten-free standard of fewer than 20 parts per million of gluten.