Sausage, summer, pork and beef, sticks, with cheddar cheese
Whole food · Sausages and Luncheon Meats
These are dense, savory sticks of coarsely ground pork and beef, studded with pockets of sharp cheddar cheese that melt into a rich, oily finish. The texture is firm and snappy with a satisfying chew, delivering a heavy, umami-packed flavor profile that is intensely salty and meaty. Nutritionally, they are a high-fat, high-protein energy source with virtually no carbohydrates, making them a classic keto-friendly snack.
Calorie split: 18% protein · 2% carbs · 80% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love these sticks for their intense, savory flavor and the satisfying, dense texture that makes them a perfect grab-and-go snack. They are a staple of American convenience culture, often enjoyed during road trips, hiking, or as a quick, filling protein boost.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sodium and saturated fat content can be problematic for those with hypertension or heart concerns, and the processed nature may be off-putting to some. To mitigate this, pair them with high-fiber vegetables like celery or bell peppers to slow digestion and add volume, and strictly practice portion control by limiting intake to one stick per sitting.
Key benefits
- Excellent source of high-quality protein for muscle maintenance
- Extremely low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for ketogenic diets
- Provides essential B vitamins like B12 and niacin for energy metabolism
- Contains dietary fat for sustained energy and satiety
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'stick' form of sausage was popularized in the early 20th century as a way to create a shelf-stable, portable meat product for workers and soldiers, often using natural casings that could be easily peeled off.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 36.2 g |
| Energy | 426 kcal |
| Energy | 1783 kj |
| Protein | 19.4 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 37.9 g |
| Ash | 4.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 1.8 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.20 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.12 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 81.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 13.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 178 mg |
| Potassium, K | 206 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1483 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.3 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.07 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 7.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.25 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.16 mg |
| Niacin | 2.9 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.76 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.13 mg |
| Folate, total | 7.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 7.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 7.0 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.7 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 225 ug |
| Retinol | 225 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 749 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 12.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.30 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 10.5 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 | 0.10 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.56 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 6.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 3.3 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 13.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 12.5 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.6 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.40 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 | 89.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.15 g |
| Threonine | 0.54 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.62 g |
| Leucine | 1.1 g |
| Lysine | 1.2 g |
| Methionine | 0.36 g |
| Cystine | 0.15 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.56 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.52 g |
| Valine | 0.69 g |
| Arginine | 0.84 g |
| Histidine | 0.47 g |
| Alanine | 0.83 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.91 g |
| Proline | 0.97 g |
| Serine | 0.60 g |
FAQ
What is the difference between summer sausage and regular sausage?
Summer sausage is a type of cured, smoked sausage that is traditionally made in the winter to be eaten in the summer, as it can be stored without refrigeration. It has a distinct tangy flavor from fermentation and is typically less fatty than fresh sausages.
Is this food suitable for a low-carb diet?
Yes, with only 1.82g of carbohydrates per 100g, this sausage is an excellent choice for low-carb and ketogenic diets, providing a high amount of fat and protein without significant sugar or starch.
How should I store this sausage?
Unopened, it can be stored in a cool, dry place. Once opened, it should be wrapped tightly and refrigerated, where it will typically last for 2-3 weeks. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to 2 months.
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 4.26 kcal/g · 18% calories from protein · 0.2 g fiber · 0.1 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: 7.20 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.