Bratwurst is another name for sausage, so chicken bratwurst is sausage made from chicken meat. It can be a healthier take on traditional bratwurst, which is most commonly made from pork. Chicken bratwursts tend to be a little lighter in calories and harmful fats than other types of sausages. Some popular brands make chicken bratwursts that can be an excellent protein source to occasionally include in your meals.
al fresco
If you're looking for an all-natural chicken bratwurst, al fresco is a great brand to consider. This company boasts that their chicken bratwurst contains 70% less fat and 30% less sodium than pork sausage. It is also certified gluten-free. One al fresco chicken bratwurst contains 120 calories, 7 grams of fat, 1 gram of carbohydrate, and 14 grams of protein. A link also contains four percent of the recommended daily iron allowance and 530 milligrams of sodium.
This company's products, including the chicken bratwurst, are carried by most located grocery chains. You can use the al fresco 'find a store' page to locate a retailer near you.
Dietz & Watson
A household name when it comes to meat, Dietz & Watson also produces a line of chicken bratwurst. This is a natural product made from chicken thighs containing no MSG. One link of Dietz & Watson's chicken bratwurst provides 130 calories, 8 grams of fat, 0 grams of carbohydrate, and 15 grams of protein. Additionally, 680 milligrams of sodium and two percent of your daily iron needs can be found in a serving of the sausage.
This chicken bratwurst can also be purchased at most neighborhood grocers. Find a store near you using the Dietz & Watson product locator.
Schaller & Weber
Meat and charcuterie producer Schaller & Weber has crafted a smoky chicken bratwurst for customers that desire a lighter sausage option. One link of Schaller & Weber's chicken bratwurst provides 110 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of carbohydrate, and 17 grams of protein. Additionally, these links provide 20 milligrams of calcium, 0.66 milligrams of iron, and 640 milligrams of sodium.
It's not available in as many stores as the other brands listed here, but can easily be ordered for home delivery anywhere in the U.S. This brand of chicken bratwurst can be purchased at the Schaller & Weber butcher shop in the Upper East Side of Manhattan or ordered from their website or Amazon. It is also served at Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar in New York City. The brand will be also be available at The Market Line and Essex Crossing, which is slated to open in the Lower East Side during the fall of 2018.
Comparing Chicken Bratwurst to Traditional
The chicken bratwursts listed here have between 110 and 130 calories and between 3.5 and 8 calories per serving. This is significantly less than bratwurst made from pork.
As an example, the most commonly eaten pork bratwurst brand in the United States is Johnsonville. (A survey found about 58 million citizens chose Johnsonville in 2017 alone.) One Johnsonville Original Brats pork link contains 260 calories, 21 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrate, 14 grams of protein.
Culprits making these pork bratwursts a less healthy protein source include 8 grams of saturated fat, 680 milligrams of sodium, and an ingredient list containing corn syrup, and propyl gallate. Other traditional brands have similar nutritional facts.
Considerations When Buying Bratwurst
No matter whether you purchase chicken, pork, veal, or beef bratwurst there are some nutritional factors to consider before purchasing.
- Sodium: Bratwursts are a type of processed meat. This means sodium will commonly be added to the meat as a preservative as well as for flavor. Always check out the sodium content when purchasing the sausages. Daily sodium recommendations are 2,300 mg or less.
- Sugar: Many bratwursts contain sugar for flavoring. This can add additional calories and carbohydrates. Sugar can be hidden in the label when listed as ingredients such as corn syrup, honey, sucrose, etc.
- Artificial Ingredients: Be on the lookout for a slew of artificial ingredients in your bratwurst. Because it is a processed meat, there could be a wide range of preservatives included in the sausage.
Lighter Bratwurst Option
A lighter take on traditional pork-based bratwurst, chicken bratwurst can be a nutritious protein source. Many companies, such as those above, produce chicken bratwurst for consumers who want it. You can find chicken bratwurst at most local stores. Carefully read the label of any brand you are considering so that you fully understand the nutritional statistics and ingredients.
