Where to Buy the Best Turkey Sausage for Your Recipes

Turkey sausage is a tasty, healthier alternative to traditional pork sausage. With fewer calories, less fat, and no pork, turkey sausage is a smart choice for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime snacking. The key to great turkey sausage is choosing the right brand and variety for your recipe. This guide will walk you through the top places to buy quality turkey sausage, the major brands to know, and how to select the right sausage for how you plan to cook it.

The Top Retailers for Turkey Sausage Shopping

When looking for turkey sausage, you’ll get the best selection and prices at major grocery chains. Here are the top retailers that offer a wide variety of name-brand and store-brand turkey sausage options

Walmart

With over 4700 stores across the U.S. Walmart is the number one place to shop for turkey sausage. They offer an extensive selection of smoked, fresh, frozen, breakfast and Italian-style turkey sausage from brands like Butterball, Hillshire Farm, Johnsonville and their own Great Value store brand. Walmart’s everyday low prices make it easy to stock up on turkey sausage for pennies per ounce.

Kroger

This massive supermarket chain operates stores under regional banners like Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs and more. Visit any Kroger-owned market to browse turkey sausage varieties from Jimmy Dean, Aidells, Odom’s Tennessee Pride and Kroger’s Private Selection line. You’ll find sausage patties, links, rolls and more.

Target

Stop by Target to pick up turkey breakfast sausage, smoked links, pre-cooked links and kielbasa from brands like Jimmy Dean, Johnsonville and Market Pantry (Target’s store brand) Their Market Pantry line includes smoked and fresh Italian-style turkey sausage flavors

Albertsons

This western U.S. grocery store is a great place to buy Butterball, Jennie-O, Aidells, Johnsonville and Albertsons’ Signature Select turkey sausage. You’ll find fully-cooked smoked, fresh raw, sweet and hot Italian options.

Publix

Shop Publix for its own GreenWise turkey sausage brand, plus national favorites like Butterball, Jimmy Dean, Jennie-O, Johnsonville and more. Publix offers an especially good selection of turkey kielbasa and breakfast sausage links and patties.

The Top Turkey Sausage Brands

From breakfast links to Italian sausages, these leading brands offer high-quality turkey sausage in just about any style you need:

Jimmy Dean

Jimmy Dean makes the most popular turkey breakfast sausage, sold as fully cooked sausage patties and links. Their Premium Pork & Turkey Sausage also contains some pork.

Butterball

Known for turkey, Butterball makes smoked turkey sausage, turkey kielbasa and fresh Italian turkey sausage. Their sausage contains no antibiotics or artificial ingredients.

Johnsonville

Choose from Johnsonville’s smoked breakfast links, Italian sausage, kielbasa and more. They’re one of the few major brands that sell turkey cheddar and turkey jalapeno flavored sausage.

Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm offers smoked, fresh and ready-to-heat turkey sausage including Polish kielbasa and breakfast links. Their smoked turkey sausage is a top seller.

Jennie-O

Try Jennie-O’s turkey breakfast sausage patties and links, available in regular and spicy varieties. Their Oven Ready turkey sausage comes fully cooked.

Aidells

Aidells is known for their flavored gourmet chicken and turkey sausages, like sun-dried tomato, spinach feta and pineapple teriyaki. Their sausages contain no antibiotics or preservatives.

Odom’s Tennessee Pride

Odom’s is the go-to brand for Southern-style smoked turkey sausage and kielbasa. Their quality smoked links contain no MSG.

Choosing the Right Turkey Sausage for Your Needs

With so many options out there, it helps to know what to look for when buying turkey sausage. Here are some tips:

• Fresh raw sausage is sold in links or rolls, perfect for squeezing into patties or crumbling for recipes. Go fresh if you want to cook from raw.

• Fully cooked smoked sausage is ready to heat and eat. Grab these if you need a quicker cooking sausage.

• Pre-cooked turkey sausage can be quickly reheated in the microwave. Banquet and Jennie-O sell these.

• Flavored sausages like cheddar, spinach feta or hot Italian offer more exciting flavors. Try them for more variety.

• Turkey kielbasa has a nice smoky Polish sausage flavor. These links are great for grilling or sauteing.

• Breakfast sausage sold as patties or links are seasoned for breakfast dishes but work for any meal.

• Turkey chorizo offers the spicy flavor of Mexican chorizo but in a healthier turkey version.

• Turkey beef sausage contains some beef or pork for a meatier texture. Check the label if avoiding pork.

• Low sodium or no nitrates sausages appeal to health-conscious shoppers watching salt and preservatives.

Tips for Cooking with Turkey Sausage

The right preparation and cooking method can make all the difference in getting flavorful, juicy results with turkey sausage. Follow these tips:

• Add oil when sautéing to prevent sticking. Turkey sausage is leaner than pork sausage.

• Don’t overcook or turkey sausage can dry out. Cook just until browned and 160°F internal temperature.

• Pre-cook smoked sausage by simmering in liquid, then finish recipes on grill or in oven.

• Cut sausage into coins to get crisp edges when pan-frying or roasting in the oven.

• Mix crumbled raw turkey sausage into casseroles, egg bakes, stuffing and more for extra flavor.

• ** Grill or roast whole links** for even browning and juiciness when cooking sausages like kielbasa.

• ** Bake sausage patties or links** in a 375°F oven for 15-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Creative Ways to Use Turkey Sausage

Turkey sausage isn’t just for breakfast. With so many varieties available, you can enjoy it morning, noon or night in these creative ways:

• Make a homemade pizza with crumbled Italian turkey sausage and veggies on a pre-baked crust.

• Stuff turkey sausage meatballs with cheese cubes for a fun, poppable appetizer.

• Mix crumbled breakfast sausage into ground beef for burgers or meatloaf.

• Sauté bite-size turkey sausage pieces into fried rice, pasta dishes or fajitas.

• Bake mini turkey sausage quiches in a muffin pan for hand-held breakfast sandwiches.

• Layer sliced smoked turkey sausage with sauerkraut and mustard on a hoagie roll.

• Skewer chunks of turkey kielbasa for hearty kebabs or sheet pan meals.

• Fold cooked Italian sausage into lasagna rolls, manicotti or stuffed shells.

With this guide, you now know where to shop for the biggest selection of turkey sausage plus how to pick and cook the right sausage for your needs. Time to grab some turkey sausage and start cooking up delicious, better-for-you meals!