Whole food · Sausages and Luncheon Meats
Photo: Wikipedia
A savory blend of ground turkey and pork, formed into patties or links and cooked to a juicy, browned finish. This sausage delivers a rich, meaty flavor with a satisfying, slightly coarse texture, offering a substantial protein boost with minimal carbohydrates. It's a hearty, versatile staple that balances the lean profile of turkey with the succulent fat of pork.
Calorie split: 30% protein · 1% carbs · 69% fat
↓ Full nutritionPeople love it for its deep, savory umami flavor and satisfying, hearty texture that anchors a meal. Its versatility makes it a beloved staple for breakfast, in pasta sauces, or as a quick weeknight dinner component.
It can be high in sodium and saturated fat, which may concern those monitoring heart health or blood pressure. To counteract, choose low-sodium varieties, practice strict portion control, and pair it with fiber-rich vegetables like roasted broccoli or a large side salad to add volume and nutrients without excess calories.
The practice of blending different meats in sausage, known as 'forcemeat,' dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, where it was a practical way to use every part of the animal.
| Water | 50.9 g |
| Energy | 307 kcal |
| Energy | 1284 kj |
| Protein | 22.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 23.0 g |
| Ash | 2.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 0.70 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 32.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.6 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 19.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 191 mg |
| Potassium, K | 337 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 878 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 3.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.15 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 21.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.51 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.25 mg |
| Niacin | 4.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.34 mg |
| Folate, total | 4.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 4.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 4.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 79.9 mg |
| Betaine | 4.3 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.3 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) | 0.39 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 79.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 5.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 8.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.31 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 4.7 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 2.6 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 9.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.80 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.9 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 2.8 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.38 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.02 g |
| Cholesterol | 84.0 mg |
Estimated from Sausage, smoked link sausage, pork and beef (nonfat dry milk added) — USDA does not publish this profile for Sausage.
| Tryptophan | 0.14 g |
| Threonine | 0.55 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.60 g |
| Leucine | 1.0 g |
| Lysine | 1.0 g |
| Methionine | 0.34 g |
| Cystine | 0.15 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.52 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.45 g |
| Valine | 0.66 g |
| Arginine | 0.81 g |
| Histidine | 0.41 g |
| Alanine | 0.83 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 2.1 g |
| Glycine | 0.89 g |
| Proline | 0.81 g |
| Serine | 0.57 g |
Is turkey and pork sausage healthier than pure pork sausage?
Generally, yes. Blending turkey with pork reduces the overall fat and calorie content compared to 100% pork sausage, while still providing good flavor and protein. However, sodium levels can be similar, so checking labels is key.
How should I store and cook fresh bulk sausage?
Store fresh sausage in the refrigerator for 1-2 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Cook it thoroughly to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure safety. It can be pan-fried, baked, or grilled.
Can I use this sausage in place of ground meat in recipes?
Absolutely. It's a great substitute for ground beef or turkey in dishes like meatballs, chili, or pasta sauce, adding a pre-seasoned, savory depth of flavor.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 2.61 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.