Beerwurst, beer salami, pork
Whole food · Sausages and Luncheon Meats
Photo: Wikipedia
Beerwurst, also known as beer salami, is a finely ground, emulsified German sausage traditionally flavored with dark beer and a blend of spices like coriander, mace, and garlic. It has a smooth, spreadable texture similar to bologna, with a mild, savory taste and a subtle malty note from the beer. Nutritionally, it's a high-protein, low-carb option, but its fat content is significant, with nearly 19 grams per 100g serving.
Calorie split: 24% protein · 4% carbs · 72% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love beerwurst for its mild, crowd-pleasing flavor and incredibly versatile, spreadable texture that makes it a staple in German delis and on hearty breakfast or snack plates. Its cultural association with beer gardens and traditional Metzgereien (butcher shops) adds to its authentic, comforting appeal.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high fat and sodium content can be a concern for those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To counteract this, practice strict portion control and pair it with fiber-rich foods like whole-grain rye bread, pickles, or a fresh salad to help manage sodium absorption and add nutritional balance.
Key benefits
- High-quality protein source (14.24g per 100g)
- Very low in carbohydrates (2.06g per 100g)
- Contains no sugar or fiber
- Provides a dense source of energy
- Traditional source of B vitamins and iron from pork
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'beer' in its name refers both to the beer used as a seasoning ingredient and to its traditional role as a perfect accompaniment to a cold brew in a beer garden.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 61.5 g |
| Energy | 238 kcal |
| Energy | 996 kj |
| Protein | 14.2 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 18.8 g |
| Ash | 3.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.1 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 8.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.76 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 13.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 103 mg |
| Potassium, K | 253 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1240 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 1.7 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 20.9 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 41.2 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.55 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.19 mg |
| Niacin | 3.3 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.49 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.35 mg |
| Folate, total | 3.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 3.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.87 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 36.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.90 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 6.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.09 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.27 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.9 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.9 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.0 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.77 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.2 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 2.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.9 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.42 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 | 59.0 mg |
| Phytosterols | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.11 g |
| Threonine | 0.56 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.48 g |
| Leucine | 0.94 g |
| Lysine | 1.0 g |
| Methionine | 0.35 g |
| Cystine | 0.11 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.45 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.40 g |
| Valine | 0.51 g |
| Arginine | 0.81 g |
| Histidine | 0.42 g |
| Alanine | 0.77 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.78 g |
| Proline | 0.64 g |
| Serine | 0.57 g |
FAQ
What is the difference between beerwurst and regular salami?
Beerwurst is an emulsified, cooked sausage with a smooth, paste-like texture, while traditional salami is a fermented and dried sausage with a coarser grind and a chewier texture. Beerwurst is typically milder in flavor.
Is beerwurst gluten-free?
It can be, but it's not guaranteed. While the primary ingredients (pork, beer, spices) are often gluten-free, some recipes might use beer containing wheat or add fillers with gluten. Always check the ingredient list for specific allergens.
How should I store opened beerwurst?
Once sliced or opened, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It should be refrigerated and consumed within 3-5 days for best quality and safety.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 2.38 kcal/g · 24% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 4.90 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.