Uncovering The Mystery Brand Behind IHOP’s Savory Smoked Sausage

The smell of sizzling sausage and fluffy pancakes is a signature part of the IHOP experience. Their smoked sausage links are a breakfast staple, whether enjoyed on their own or as part of dishes like omelettes, breakfast platters and skillets. IHOP’s smoked sausage has a deliciously peppery, smoky flavor with a satisfying snap when you bite into it. But with no brand labeling in sight, many IHOP fans are left wondering: what brand makes the tasty smoked sausage served up at the popular breakfast chain?

A Closer Look at IHOP’s Smoked Sausage

IHOP’s smoked sausage has some clear distinguishing features that provide clues about its origins. The links have a coarse lightly smoked interior with a distinctive smoky aroma. The meat has a prominent black pepper flavor with a bit of sweetness and spice. The sausage fills natural casings that get an appetizing, crisp sear when cooked on the flat-top griddle. The snap from the casing and juicy interior create a irresistible texture.

In many IHOP dishes, the smoked sausage links are cut on an angle to create those iconic half-moon shapes. Whether its nestled into a fluffy omelette or speared with a fork straight from the plate, IHOP’s smoked sausage has become a breakfast favorite thanks to its peppery zing and firm-yet-juicy bite. But without any clear branding, where exactly does this tasty sausage come from?

The Mystery Brand Behind the Links

For many years, IHOP never publicly identified the brand behind their popular smoked sausage links. Some sleuthing breakfast devotees hypothesized it could be national brands like Jimmy Dean, Owen’s or Johnsonville. However, IHOP chefs have indicated their smoked sausage is a proprietary product made exclusively for the chain.

IHOP’s culinary team provides input into the seasoning blend and smoking process to achieve the distinct flavor profile they want While many of IHOP’s other breakfast meats like bacon and ham are clearly branded, the smoked sausage gets custom crafted just for them Even employees reportedly don’t know the exact brand source, since it arrives in unmarked packaging ready to griddle up.

So while we may never know the name on the package these links come in we do know they are made with IHOP’s breakfast dishes in mind. The sausage’s peppery personality and firm texture seems perfectly designed to complement fluffy eggs buttery pancakes and crispy hash browns.

Why Sausage is So Important to IHOP’s Breakfast Menu

Smoked sausage isn’t just an afterthought side at IHOP. It plays a starring role in many of their breakfast combos and plates. The savory, smoky sausage adds important flavor and texture contrast to balance out the sweetness of pancakes and creaminess of scrambled eggs. It also contributes protein to help start the day off right.

Some of IHOP’s most popular dishes feature smoked sausage, like the Big Farmhouse BreakFEAST platter and the Classic Skillet. Sausage and cheese omelettes are also customer favorites. IHOP also knows how to highlight the sausage’s snappy casing and robust flavor by serving links on their own alongside pancakes or eggs. Their custom-made smoked sausage links are clearly integral to the IHOP breakfast lineup.

Cooking Techniques That Enhance IHOP’s Smoked Sausage

IHOP doesn’t just throw their smoked sausages on the grill and serve them up. Their chefs use special techniques to make them as delicious as possible:

• Griddle Seared – IHOP griddles their sausage links to get that perfect sear on the natural casings. This adds crispy texture and amplifies the smoky flavor.

• Slow Simmered – For omelettes and skillet dishes, IHOP chefs slowly simmer the sausage to infuse the flavors throughout.

• Buttery Finish – Brushing the sausages with butter toward the end of cooking adds a lovely sheen and prevents them from drying out.

• Ideal Doneness – Cooked to a precise 160°F internal temperature, the sausage retains moisture and juiciness inside.

With small touches like these, IHOP’s cooks coax the very best out of the mystery sausage brand they rely on. Their special prep and griddling is key to achieving ideal texture and taste.

Recreating IHOP’s Smoked Sausage Experience at Home

Diehard IHOP fans may want to imitate those irresistible smoked sausages at home. To get close to IHOP’s execution, choose good-quality, natural cased smoked sausage links seasoned with ample black pepper. Cook them low and slow in a skillet until browned and 165°F internal temp. Consider using a bit of butter or oil to keep the links from drying out.

Serve alongside homemade pancakes or a scramble for the complete IHOP-style treatment. While you likely won’t perfectly match IHOP’s secret sausage brand, with care and quality ingredients you can still satisfy your breakfast sausage craving between restaurant visits.

IHOP’s Smoked Sausage Stands the Test of Time

Even after decades on the menu, IHOP’s smoked sausage remains a quintessential part of the brand’s breakfast lineup. The secret sausage supplier behind the links may be obscured, but the flavor, texture and quality speak for themselves. IHOP clearly worked hard behind the scenes to develop their custom smoked sausage recipe that perfectly pairs with their pancakes, eggs and other classics.

Next time you pull a forkful of smoky, peppery sausage from your IHOP breakfast plate, you can appreciate how this special links likely came from a proprietary source made just for IHOP. Their commitment to signature breakfast offerings like this is why legions of pancake lovers continue flocking to their restaurants every morning.