Does Waffle House Have Turkey Bacon or Sausage? Examining the Options

Waffle House is a staple weekend breakfast spot for many. With its extensive menu, all-day breakfast offerings, and signature hashbrowns, it’s a go-to for delicious and comforting morning meals. But for health-conscious diners, Waffle House’s reliance on pork products like bacon and sausage poses a challenge. This begs the question – does Waffle House offer any turkey bacon or sausage options for a lighter protein choice? Let’s investigate.

Overview of Waffle House’s Bacon and Sausage Selections

Checking the Waffle House menu shows a robust selection of pork-based bacon and sausage options for breakfast:

• Bacon – Regular or extra-thick sliced smoked pork bacon

• Sausage Patties – Traditional seasoned pork breakfast sausage patties

• Smoked Sausage Links – Smoky pork sausages

• Country Ham – Salty cured and smoked pork

These deliciously indulgent choices satisfy cravings for smoky, fatty pork flavor. But without any turkey alternatives, the menu leaves some diners wanting options.

The Verdict: No Turkey Bacon or Sausage Currently

After scouring the menus and contacting multiple locations, the verdict is unfortunately clear – Waffle House does not currently offer any turkey bacon or turkey sausage on their menu. The standard pork bacon and sausage reign supreme as the only meat choices.

Some disappointed health-conscious diners have reported asking if turkey products could be substituted or specially requested, only to be informed that Waffle House does not carry or cook with any turkey bacon or sausage currently.

So for now, patrons looking to limit their pork intake will have to find other menu options when dining at Waffle House.

Why Turkey Meat Might Be a Welcome Addition

With more consumers looking to cut back on pork for health or religious reasons, adding turkey bacon and sausage could allow Waffle House to meet changing demand and attract new customers.

Turkey meat has a few advantages over pork:

• Lower in fat and calories – Turkey is naturally leaner with fewer calories per ounce. This allows diners to get protein without as much saturated fat or cholesterol.

• More religious restrictions – Pork is prohibited in religions like Islam and Judaism, making turkey a more broadly acceptable meat.

• Perceived as healthier – Though not perfect, turkey is often seen as a better-for-you alternative to higher-fat meats like pork.

By incorporating turkey options on the menu, Waffle House could cater to consumer shifts and provide more inclusivity in their meat offerings.

Alternative Ways to “Healthify” Your Waffle House Order

Until turkey makes its debut at Waffle House, there are still ways to make healthier choices from their current menu:

• Egg white omelets – Ask for an omelet made with just the egg whites to cut cholesterol. Load it up with veggies.

• Grilled chicken breast – Enjoy a lean grilled chicken breast on its own or in a salad.

• Whole wheat toast – Choose whole wheat bread over white toast or biscuits for more fiber.

• Fruit sides – Add on fruit options like sliced tomatoes or apple slices for nutrients.

• Easy on oils – Request eggs cooked with nonstick spray instead of greasy oils or butter.

• Water over sugary drinks – Opt for still or sparkling water instead of high-calorie soda, juice, and sweet tea.

While the lack of turkey remains disappointing for some diners, small tweaks can still make a Waffle House meal healthier.

Do Other Breakfast Chains Offer Turkey Options?

Diners looking for turkey meat at breakfast may have better luck at other national chains like Denny’s, IHOP, and Cracker Barrel, which do serve turkey-based menu items.

Some of the turkey breakfast offerings at these spots include:

Denny’s

• Turkey sausage links and patties
• Ultimate Omelette with turkey sausage
• Fit Slam with turkey bacon

IHOP

• Simple & Fit turkey bacon omelette
• Turkey sausage scrambled egg bowl
• Turkey bacon avocado omelette

Cracker Barrel

• Turkey bacon
• Turkey sausage patties and links
• Low-Fat Turkey Hash bowl

While not as ubiquitous on breakfast menus as pork, turkey products are growing in availability thanks to consumer demand for options. Hopefully Waffle House will catch on soon!

Recreating Turkey Bacon and Sausage at Home

For diehard Waffle House fans who still want to enjoy turkey meat in their breakfast, it’s easy enough to recreate at home by making swap-outs:

Turkey bacon

• Look for quality turkey bacon at the grocery store and prepare as you would regular bacon until crispy. Bring a batch to add to your order.

Turkey sausage

• Purchase pre-made turkey sausage patties or links and heat through before going to Waffle House. Add to any dish.

DIY turkey “crumbles”

• Sauté ground turkey with onion, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Use in place of sausage crumbles.

Getting your turkey fix and then enjoying all your regular Waffle House favorites is a win-win!

The Bottom Line

While Waffle House currently sticks to traditional pork breakfast meats, the growing consumer interest in turkey bacon and sausage is hard to ignore. Adding some turkey-based options could allow them to keep up with trends and cater to changing demographics.

In the meantime, diners have alternatives like customizing existing menu items or bringing turkey components from home. So seek out those turkey meats from grocery stores and other restaurants, and don’t be shy asking your Waffle House server to sub them in. Change happens gradually, as more customers speak up!