Are you tired of the same bland vegan options on your plate? Finding top-tier plant-based foods can be difficult, but vegan sausages are one fantastic way to bring delicious flavor to meals. Whether you’re an aspiring chef or simply looking for new recipes and snacks to try out, this blog post will help familiarize you with our five favorites from the ever-growing list of vegan sausage brands. From spiced chorizo links for dinner to breakfast patties for that a.m feast, these best vegan sausages will have your mouth watering!
1. Beyond Meat's Beyond Sausage Brat Original
This is a pioneering product in plant-based proteins. It's an excellent choice for those trying to watch their calorie intake, as each serving contains only 190 calories while still providing 22% of the daily value for iron. It's perfect for those who avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs), soy, and gluten. 25% of the unhealthy fat is still, but it's 38% less than in regular pork sausage.
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2. Lightlife's Plant-Based Italian Sausage
If you're a vegan looking for a product with the highest iron content, look no further than Lightlife's Plant-Based Italian Sausage. Its nutritional profile is very similar to Beyond Sausage, with which it shares 25% of its iron content. In addition to being delicious and simple to prepare, it is also free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), soy, and gluten.
3. Tofurky's Beer Brats
Vegan sausages with a name like Beer Brats? That must be Tofurky's Beer Brats. The 510 milligrams of sodium per 100 grams of the product makes them ideal for a BBQ and lower than our other picks. A serving of these has 260 calories, making them the highest calorie option available.
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4. Field Roast Mexican Chipotle vegan sausage
The smoked Chipotle peppers, oregano, ginger, and Chili de Arbol in the Field Roast Mexican Chipotle vegan sausage give it a bold, smoky flavor. Each serving packs 28g of protein and only 3g of saturated fats. But with 24% sodium, there are better options than this if you're trying to limit your mineral intake. However, its vitamin A content is over 30%, so that's something.
5. Field Roast Smoked Apple Sausage
Another Field Roast staple, the Smoked Apple Sausage, contains 20% less sodium than the Mexican Chipotle and offers 25% more protein per sausage. However, at 5g per serving, it has the most sugar of our picks. In addition, it contains over 20% calcium, which is a plus.
The Different Types of Sausages
It's worth noting that there are four types of sausages: links, breakfast-style sausages, loose sausage, and pepperoni. Vegan alternatives to all four of these sausage varieties are widely available. Look out for vegan link-style hot dogs and sausages in the refrigerated section and breakfast-style sausage patties in the frozen foods aisle.
Links
You can find sausage links in just about any grocery store or butcher shop in the world. You can grill them or fry them, and they come in many different flavors. Stews, soups, casseroles, and other dishes can benefit from the flavor boost sausage links provide. Ensure the links you buy are clearly labeled as "links" so you know you're getting the right kind when you shop.
Traditional Breakfast Sausage
Compared to links, breakfast sausage is typically smaller and features additional seasonings like sage or black pepper. It's most commonly made with pork or turkey, but other meats like chicken or beef work just as well. Sausage patties made in a breakfast style are a common addition to a breakfast meal that also includes eggs, bacon, toast, and other staples.
Loose Sausages
Sausage that is too loose is, well, too loose. It is sold in large quantities but not chained together like similar products sold as links. The flavor of loose sausage works wonders in dishes such as chili, spaghetti sauce, pizza toppings, and tacos. It also stands on its own as a simple meal or snack. It is not pre-cooked like most sausages, so make sure to cook it thoroughly before eating.
Pepperoni
Though it is most commonly associated with pizza, pepperoni is actually a type of sausage. Standard pepperoni ingredients include pork and/or beef that has been heavily seasoned with hot spices like paprika or cayenne pepper.
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Precautions for Eating Vegan Sausages
More and more vegan and plant-based sausages are entering the market as the vegan movement gains popularity. But is it safe to eat vegan sausage? Before committing to a vegan sausage-centric diet, there are a few things to think about.
Processed Foods
The widespread use of preservatives and other chemical additives, some of which have been linked to health problems, is a major problem with processed foods. Soy protein isolate, wheat gluten, modified food starch, and other additives are common in vegan sausages. These ingredients might not be great for your body in the long run. Always check the ingredients and try to find vegan sausages that have been processed as little as possible.
Ingredients & Nutritional Content
The nutritional value may be low in many commercial vegan sausages due to the ingredients used. Regarding protein, some brands may use whole foods like mushrooms, nuts, beans, or grains, while others may go with cheaper options like wheat gluten or soy protein isolate. Consuming these regularly might not provide any nutritional benefit and might even be harmful to your health. In most cases, it's preferable to use foods that aren't processed.
Sodium Content
Because salt is often used in the processing and as an ingredient, many vegan sausages sold commercially have high sodium levels. High blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems can develop when too much sodium is consumed over time. Keep an eye out for products with more than 400 milligrams of sodium per serving when shopping for processed foods.
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Eating Vegan Sausages
There are plenty of delicious vegan sausage options for those looking to cut meat out of their diet. As always though when dealing with processed meats (or any food for that matter), make sure you cook them properly before consuming them (especially if you're opting for loose sausage). With this guide in hand though you now have all the knowledge necessary to pick out your favorite kind next time you head down the supermarket aisle! Try these top five brands and see which one becomes your favorite.
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