Whole food · Sausages and Luncheon Meats
Photo: Wikipedia
Canned Vienna sausage is a shelf-stable, pre-cooked blend of chicken, beef, and pork, packed in a savory broth or gelatin. It has a soft, uniform texture and a mild, salty, meaty flavor. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of protein and fat, with virtually no carbohydrates.
People love it for its ultimate convenience and nostalgic, comforting saltiness. It's a versatile, ready-to-eat protein that can be eaten straight from the can or quickly added to a variety of dishes.
The high sodium and saturated fat content are the main downsides, which can be a concern for heart health. To counteract this, pair it with high-fiber vegetables like steamed broccoli or a fresh salad to balance the meal, and practice portion control by using it as a flavor accent rather than the main protein.
Despite its name, the 'Vienna' sausage is an American invention, named as a marketing nod to the city of Vienna (Wien), much like how 'Wiener' sausages are named.
| Water | 64.9 g |
| Energy | 230 kcal |
| Energy | 962 kj |
| Protein | 10.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 19.4 g |
| Ash | 2.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.6 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 10.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.88 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 49.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 101 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 879 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.6 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 16.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.09 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.11 mg |
| Niacin | 1.6 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.35 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 43.7 mg |
| Betaine | 3.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.22 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 25.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.60 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.6 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 7.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.45 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.5 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.99 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.30 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 87.0 mg |
| Phytosterols | 0.00 mg |
| Tryptophan | 0.11 g |
| Threonine | 0.36 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.56 g |
| Leucine | 0.80 g |
| Lysine | 0.79 g |
| Methionine | 0.27 g |
| Cystine | 0.17 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.42 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.34 g |
| Valine | 0.57 g |
| Arginine | 0.71 g |
| Histidine | 0.27 g |
| Alanine | 0.65 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.0 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.3 g |
| Glycine | 1.0 g |
| Proline | 0.61 g |
| Serine | 0.43 g |
Are Vienna sausages fully cooked?
Yes, they are pre-cooked and canned, making them safe to eat straight from the can, though they are often heated for better flavor and texture.
What's the difference between Vienna sausages and hot dogs?
Vienna sausages are typically shorter, have a softer texture, and are canned in broth or gelatin, while hot dogs are usually longer, firmer, and sold refrigerated.
Can I use Vienna sausages in recipes calling for ground meat?
You can, but the texture will be much softer and the flavor milder. It works best in stews, casseroles, or fried rice where it can be chopped and heated through.