10 Chicken Sausages That Use Real Meat Instead Of Processed Fillers
Chicken sausage has come a long way from bland links and mystery meat.
These days, some brands are ditching the fillers and packing their sausages with real, recognizable ingredients you can feel good about.
Whether you’re grilling, sautéing, or slicing into a hearty breakfast, quality makes all the difference.
If you’re tired of rubbery textures and artificial aftertastes, it’s time to check out the chicken sausages that actually deliver on flavor, freshness, and honest ingredients.
1. Aidells Chicken Sausage
Bursting with authentic flavors, Aidells creates their sausages from hand-trimmed chicken thighs rather than mystery meat parts. Their ingredient lists read like actual recipes you’d make at home.
Founded by chef Bruce Aidells in 1983, these premium sausages come in mouthwatering varieties like Roasted Garlic & Gruyere and Artichoke & Garlic.
The company maintains a strict no-fillers policy, ensuring what you’re grilling is actual meat, not processed leftovers.
2. Applegate Naturals Chicken Sausage
Committed to clean eating, Applegate sources humanely raised chickens for their delicious sausage lineup. The company proudly advertises their antibiotic-free and organic options right on the package.
What makes these sausages stand out is their transparency – you can trace each package back to the farms where the chickens were raised.
Their Sweet Italian variety contains real bell peppers and fennel seed that you can actually see in each slice.
3. Bilinski’s Chicken Sausage
Family-owned since 1929, Bilinski’s crafts their sausages using whole muscle chicken meat – never the mysterious “mechanically separated” stuff.
Their cooking process resembles what you’d do in your own kitchen, just on a larger scale. Flavor varieties like Apple Chardonnay and Mild Italian pack a taste punch without artificial nonsense.
The company’s commitment shows in their transparent packaging that lets you see exactly what you’re buying – real chicken with real seasonings.
4. Al Fresco Chicken Sausage
Sporting a 70% less fat claim than pork sausage, Al Fresco doesn’t compromise on real meat content.
Their chicken sausages start with skinless chicken meat that’s ground and seasoned with actual spices you’d recognize.
Unique flavor combinations like Buffalo Style with Blue Cheese and Sweet Apple with Vermont Maple Syrup keep things interesting.
The company avoids common fillers like corn syrup solids and modified food starch that bulk up cheaper alternatives.
5. Trader Joe’s Chicken Sausage
Budget-friendly without cutting corners, Trader Joe’s private label chicken sausages deliver impressive quality at their trademark reasonable prices.
Their ingredient lists typically start with “chicken” followed by recognizable seasonings and spices. Flavors like Spicy Jalapeño and Sun-Dried Tomato pack serious taste without mysterious additives.
Unlike many grocery store brands, TJ’s sausages skip the textured vegetable protein and soy fillers that bulk up less honest products.
6. Gilbert’s Craft Sausages
Individually wrapped for freshness, Gilbert’s chicken sausages start with whole muscle meat instead of processed scraps.
The company’s founder created these sausages after being disappointed by the mystery meat options in grocery stores. Their Chicken & Apple variety contains chunks of real apple you can see when sliced.
Gilbert’s takes pride in their clean labels, using natural preservatives like celery powder instead of synthetic nitrates found in many conventional brands.
7. Coleman Natural Chicken Sausage
Pioneering humane farming since 1875, Coleman Natural creates chicken sausages from birds raised without antibiotics or growth hormones.
Their products carry multiple certifications including American Humane Certified and USDA Organic. Checking their ingredient list reveals whole muscle chicken meat as the primary component.
The company’s commitment to natural production extends to their seasoning choices – actual garlic instead of garlic powder, real herbs rather than “natural flavors.”
8. Mulay’s Chicken Sausage
Known for their “K**ler Hot” varieties, Mulay’s family recipes date back generations before commercial fillers existed.
Their chicken sausages contain only meat and spices – no sugar, no dairy, no gluten, and absolutely no fillers.
Reading their refreshingly short ingredient list feels revolutionary in today’s over-processed food landscape.
The company maintains a strict “never ever” policy regarding antibiotics and hormones, ensuring their chicken comes from properly raised birds.
9. Pederson’s Natural Farms Chicken Sausage
Proudly Texan, Pederson’s makes chicken sausages that would make their barbecue-loving state proud. Their chicken comes from farms that prioritize animal welfare and sustainable practices.
Fully cooked for convenience, these sausages contain no artificial preservatives or MSG.
The company’s commitment to quality earned them Whole30 approval, making them a favorite among health-conscious shoppers looking for clean protein options without the usual junk.
10. True Story Chicken Sausage
Living up to their name, True Story creates chicken sausages with transparency at their core. Their chickens are raised on vegetarian feed without antibiotics, creating a cleaner starting product.
Varieties like Organic Apple & Wildflower Honey showcase their commitment to real ingredients.
The company partners directly with family farms rather than factory operations, ensuring their chicken comes from birds that were raised with respect.