Our savory turkey sausage links are packed with the same bold flavors as our original varieties. Plus, they have 10g of protein and 75% less fat than fully cooked pork sausage per serving. These Certified Gluten-Free turkey sausage links contain no binders, fillers or preservatives, making them a smart option for any meal of the day. And since we believe you deserve the best, we never use mechanically separated turkey meat. Like all of the products in our Golden Brown® line, these turkey sausage links are fully cooked and can be found in the freezer section.
Turkey sausage is a popular alternative to traditional pork sausage With its leaner nutrition profile and milder flavor, turkey sausage appeals to many health-conscious consumers But is turkey sausage gluten free?
For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, determining if turkey sausage is safe can be tricky. While turkey meat itself is naturally gluten free, many turkey sausages contain questionable ingredients. Cross-contamination during processing is also a concern.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about gluten and turkey sausage You’ll learn
- Is turkey sausage naturally gluten free?
- What ingredients to look for on labels
- Risk of cross-contamination
- Recommended gluten free brands
- Delicious recipes to try
Let’s explore so you can enjoy turkey sausage safely on a gluten free diet!
Is Turkey Sausage Naturally Gluten Free?
Turkey is a naturally gluten free meat. Unless exposed to gluten during processing, plain turkey meat contains no wheat, barley, rye or related proteins.
On its own, turkey sausage meat should be gluten free. But once additional ingredients are added, the safety becomes questionable.
Many turkey sausages contain thickening agents, flavorings, preservatives and other additives. These supplementary ingredients can sometimes contain gluten.
Binders like wheat flour or barley malt are used in some turkey sausages, especially low-cost varieties. Obviously, these additives are not gluten free.
Less obvious ingredients can also render turkey sausage unsafe. For example, caramel color may be derived from barley or rye in some brands.
So while turkey meat starts out gluten free, the final sausage product may not be. Let’s look at label reading tips to identify problem ingredients.
Reading Labels on Turkey Sausages
When purchasing any processed meat product, it is essential to read the label carefully. This allows you to detect any gluten-containing additives or seasoning blends.
Here are the most common areas of concern when reading turkey sausage labels:
Binders and Fillers: Wheat, barley or rye flour is sometimes added as an inexpensive filler and binder. Watch for words like “wheat flour”, “barley malt”, “rye flakes” or similar.
Flavorings: Artificial and natural flavorings can sometimes contain gluten. If the flavoring contains barley or malt, it is not gluten free.
Preservatives: Preservatives like maltodextrin can be made from wheat, barley or corn. Be sure the source is identified as corn, potato or other gluten free option.
Caramel Color: Some brands use caramel color made from barley or rye malt syrup. Gluten-free caramel color is made from corn, molasses, or other safe sources.
Shared Equipment: Even if no gluten ingredients are listed, look for advisory statements about shared equipment or manufacturing lines. Cross-contamination is likely if equipment is shared with wheat-based products.
Sticking to major brands labeled “gluten free” is the safest option. We’ll cover specific gluten free turkey sausage brands later in this guide.
Reading labels carefully protects you from hidden gluten. Now let’s explore another safety consideration: cross-contamination.
Is There Risk of Cross-Contamination?
Cross-contamination occurs when gluten-containing foods come into contact with naturally gluten free items. This transfers traces of gluten where it does not belong.
For example, wheat-based sausage produced on shared equipment could leave behind gluten residue. Later turkey sausage made on the same machinery could pick up those traces of gluten.
How likely is cross-contamination with turkey sausage production? It depends on the manufacturer.
Some facilities only produce gluten free meats, with careful protocols to avoid any contact with gluten. These dedicated factories have the lowest risk for cross-contamination.
Meanwhile, other companies make both gluten-containing and gluten free products on shared lines. Without thorough cleaning procedures, shared equipment greatly raises the risk of cross-contamination.
Seeking out brands produced in dedicated gluten free facilities is ideal. When that’s not possible, trusted third-party certification can offer extra assurance.
Are There Certified Gluten Free Options?
Several respected organizations offer gluten free certification for qualifying products. This auditing process verifies items are safely under 20 ppm gluten.
To earn certification, manufacturers submit to rigorous testing and facility inspections. Annual re-audits ensure continued compliance.
Here are some of the most recognized gluten free certifications to look for on turkey sausage:
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GFCO Certified Gluten Free – Administered by the Gluten Intolerance Group, this is one of the most trusted gluten free seals. Less than 10 ppm gluten is allowed.
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Certified Gluten Free by FGF – The Gluten Free Food Service (FGF) program audits restaurants along with packaged foods. They certify less than 10 ppm gluten.
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Certified Gluten Free by NCA – Run by the National Celiac Association, this program sets a strict 5 ppm gluten standard.
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1,000 ppm GIG – The Gluten Intolerance Group’s 1,000 ppm certification allows up to 1,000 ppm gluten. Not considered gluten free but helpful for low gluten diets.
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Certified Low Gluten by ELISA – Less than 20 ppm gluten qualifies for this designation by ELISA Technologies. Helpful but still above the gluten free threshold.
Opting for certified gluten free turkey sausage provides an extra layer of assurance. Now let’s explore some leading brands you can trust.
Recommended Gluten Free Turkey Sausage Brands
Most large sausage manufacturers now offer gluten free turkey sausage options. Many have gluten free claims right on the label for easy identification.
Here are some of the top gluten free turkey sausage brands on grocery store shelves:
Aidells – Their turkey sausages are certified gluten free to GFCO standards. Flavors like Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken and Spinach Feta are under 10 ppm gluten.
Al Fresco – All of their chicken and turkey sausages are labeled gluten free. Try the Sweet Italian Chicken Sausage or Roasted Red Pepper & Asiago.
Applegate – Look for the gluten free emblem on their turkey breakfast links, sweet Italian turkey and chicken maple flavors.
Butterball – Several Butterball turkey sausage varieties display a gluten free claim, including Homestyle and Italian Style.
Jennie-O – Their Oven Roasted and Spinach & Feta turkey sausage links are labeled gluten free.
Jones Dairy Farm – All turkey sausage products are marked gluten free, like the Turkey Maple and Chicken Apple varieties.
Shady Brook Farms – Products showing a gluten free label include Brown Sugar & Maple turkey links.
Wellshire Farms – All their turkey and chicken sausages are gluten free, including smoked kielbasa and chorizo chicken sausages.
Be sure to double check labels for a gluten free assurance with each purchase. New formulations or changes at manufacturing facilities can alter gluten free status.
Now let’s look at gluten free recipes and meal ideas featuring turkey sausage.
7 Delicious Gluten Free Turkey Sausage Recipes
Pre-cooked gluten free turkey sausage makes an easy addition to all kinds of dishes. Here are 7 recipe ideas to inspire your cooking:
1. Turkey Sausage Scramble – Sauté turkey sausage crumbles with potatoes, veggies and eggs for a hearty breakfast.
2. Creamy Turkey Sausage Pasta – Toss chopped turkey sausage with gluten free pasta, garlic, spinach and Parmesan in a creamy sauce.
3. Turkey Sausage Frittata – Bake eggs with sausage, cheese and roasted vegetables in this easy gluten free meal.
4. Turkey Sausage Soup – Simmer sliced sausage with veggies and beans in chicken broth for a hearty soup.
5. Turkey Sausage Pizza – Top a gluten free pizza crust with tomato sauce, sausage, cheese and veggies for homemade pizza night.
6. Turkey Sausage Quinoa Bowl – Combine quinoa, sausage, avocado, greens and hummus for a grain bowl.
7. Turkey Sausage Potato Skillet – Cook potatoes and sausage with onions, peppers and seasonings for a fast one-pan dinner.
With so many options for integrating turkey sausage, you can enjoy this flavorful gluten free protein daily.
Eat Turkey Sausage Safely on a Gluten Free Diet
Turkey sausage can be a tasty addition to your gluten free diet, as long as you choose products carefully. Opt for major brands with a gluten free label to avoid questionable ingredients. When possible, look for certification from reputable gluten free auditing organizations.
To limit risk of cross-contamination, turkey sausages made in dedicated gluten free facilities are ideal. But mainstream brands produced on shared equipment can also be acceptable if proper cleaning protocols are in place.
By reading labels vigilantly and understanding production methods, you can incorporate turkey sausage safely. Pair it with veggies, starches and simple seasonings to keep meals gluten free. With an array of flavors to try
Try it in these recipes
Find Jones near you It’s Breakfast Time Somewhere
AIP Turkey Sausage
FAQ
Is turkey sausage gluten-free?
How do you know if sausage is gluten-free?
Is Johnsonville turkey sausage gluten-free?
Which sausages are gluten free?
Here’s a list of some of the most recognizable brands of sausage that are gluten free: Applegate Farms (all products) Buckeye Sausage Company (all products) Eckrich Smoked Sausage (all products) Hormel Pork and Beef Franks with Natural Juices (all products) Jennie-O Turkey Store Smoked Turkey Sausage (all products)
Is turkey meat gluten-free?
The good news is that, except for gluten added after processing, turkey meat is naturally gluten-free, including turkey fed with wheat or gluten-containing grains. However, as with so many foods that start out gluten-free, the deeper answer lies in the extras.
Are smoked sausages gluten-free?
The list includes smoked sausages, dinner sausages, and breakfast sausages. Many of these products are tested for gluten cross-contamination and labeled as gluten-free. Others certify products gluten-free, which means they test far lower than the minimum FDA gluten-free standard of fewer than 20 parts per million of gluten.
Is Italian sausage gluten free?
Traditional Sausage: Typically made from ground meat, spices, and salt, traditional sausages are usually gluten-free. Breakfast Sausage: Often contains bread crumbs or flour as binders, making it potentially glutenous. Italian Sausage: Generally contains gluten-containing ingredients like breadcrumbs or semolina flour.