A Closer Look at Your Breakfast: How many calories are in one Johnsonville breakfast sausage?

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to official Johnsonville nutrition information, a standard serving of three cooked Original Breakfast Sausage links contains 170 calories. Understanding this serving size is key to accurately answering the question: How many calories are in one Johnsonville breakfast sausage?

Quick Summary

This article details the calorie content of different Johnsonville breakfast sausage varieties. It provides a full nutritional breakdown, discusses macronutrients like protein and fat, compares alternatives, and offers guidance on incorporating sausage into a balanced and mindful diet.

Key Points

Original Link Calories: One single Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage link contains approximately 57 calories, based on a serving size of three links having 170 calories.
Turkey vs. Pork: The Fully Cooked Turkey Breakfast Sausage offers a leaner alternative at just 40 calories per link, significantly less than the 80 calories per Fully Cooked Original pork link.
Fat and Sodium Content: Standard Johnsonville breakfast sausage is a high-fat, high-sodium item, providing a substantial portion of the daily recommended intake in just one serving.
Keto-Friendly Option: Due to their high fat and low carbohydrate content, most Johnsonville sausages can be suitable for a ketogenic diet, but awareness of overall intake is necessary.
Pair for Balance: To create a healthier meal, pair sausage with fiber-rich whole grains, fresh vegetables, and other protein sources to offset the lack of dietary fiber and nutrients.
Read the Label: Always check the specific nutritional label for the product you are purchasing, as calories and macros can differ significantly between Johnsonville varieties, like raw vs. fully cooked, or links vs. patties.

Decoding the Calories in Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage

Determining the calorie count for a single Johnsonville breakfast sausage requires paying close attention to the product's specific serving size and type. Johnsonville offers several varieties, including raw original links, fully cooked links, and turkey options, all with different nutritional profiles. For the most popular option, the Original Breakfast Sausage Links, the nutrition label specifies that a serving of three cooked links contains 170 calories. This means that one single link of the Original Breakfast Sausage contains approximately 57 calories ($170 \div 3$). This might be higher or lower than what some people might have assumed, making label-reading an essential part of diet management.

Calorie Breakdown for Different Johnsonville Varieties

Understanding that not all Johnsonville breakfast sausages are created equal is crucial for accurate calorie counting. The preparation method and ingredients can significantly impact the final nutritional information.

Original Breakfast Sausage Links (Raw): As noted, three cooked links contain 170 calories, with one link containing about 57 calories. These links are made from premium cuts of pork with a classic blend of spices.
Fully Cooked Original Breakfast Sausage Links: For a more convenient, fully cooked option, the calorie count per link is slightly different. A serving of two fully cooked links contains 160 calories. This places a single fully cooked original link at 80 calories ($160 \div 2$). The higher calorie count per link is due to a larger portion size per unit compared to the raw version.
Fully Cooked Turkey Breakfast Sausage Links: A lower-fat alternative is the turkey option. Two fully cooked turkey links contain just 80 calories. This means one turkey link provides only 40 calories, making it a much leaner choice for those watching their fat and calorie intake.
Original Breakfast Sausage Patties (Fully Cooked): The patty form also has a distinct profile. A single fully cooked patty (43g) has 150 calories, though this can vary slightly by product line.

Beyond Calories: A Look at Macronutrients

While calories are a key metric, a complete nutritional picture requires examining the breakdown of macronutrients—fat, protein, and carbohydrates. For the Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage (three links), the nutritional details are as follows:

Total Fat: 13g (20% Daily Value)
Saturated Fat: 4.5g (23% Daily Value)
Cholesterol: 40mg (13% Daily Value)
Sodium: 490mg (20% Daily Value)
Total Carbohydrate: 2g (1% Daily Value)
Protein: 10g

These numbers reveal that a significant portion of the sausage's calories come from fat, specifically saturated fat. The sodium content is also relatively high, contributing 20% of the recommended daily value in just a three-link serving. The low carbohydrate content, however, makes it a suitable option for those on a ketogenic diet, provided they are mindful of overall fat intake.

Making Healthier Choices: Comparison of Sausages

When planning a diet, comparing different sausage products can help make more informed decisions. The following table illustrates the key nutritional differences between a few common breakfast sausage options.


Sausage Type	Serving Size	Calories	Fat	Saturated Fat	Protein	Sodium
Johnsonville Original Links	3 links	170	13g	4.5g	10g	490mg
Johnsonville Fully Cooked Original Links	2 links	160	15g	5g	6g	380mg
Johnsonville Fully Cooked Turkey Links	2 links	80	5g	1.5g	8g	360mg
Applegate Naturals Chicken & Maple	3 links	110	-	-	-	-
MorningStar Farms Veggie	2 links	70	-	-	-	-

Note: Nutrition values can vary slightly by product line and preparation. Always check the specific product label.

Strategizing for a Balanced Breakfast

Incorporating breakfast sausage into a balanced meal is about more than just counting calories. It involves pairing it with other nutrient-dense foods to create a well-rounded start to your day. Here are some ideas:

Add Fiber: Pair your sausage with a side of whole-grain toast or a high-fiber fruit to help you feel full longer and aid digestion. Since most sausages have zero dietary fiber, this is an important addition.
Incorporate Vegetables: Mix cooked sausage crumbles with sauteed bell peppers, onions, and spinach for a flavorful scramble. The added vitamins and minerals can help offset the less-than-ideal aspects of processed meat.
Mindful Portions: Limit your sausage serving to one or two links and focus on filling the rest of your plate with healthier items like eggs, avocado, or a bowl of oatmeal. This controls fat and sodium intake without sacrificing the flavor of sausage.
DIY Homemade Sausage: For greater control over ingredients and sodium, consider making your own sausage patties from ground turkey, chicken, or lean pork. This allows you to season the meat with herbs and spices without relying on pre-made mixes that can be high in preservatives and salt.

A Final Thought on Processed Meats

While breakfast sausage can be a part of a healthy diet in moderation, it is still a processed meat. Health experts often advise limiting the consumption of processed meats due to links with various health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Making leaner choices like turkey sausage, opting for homemade versions, and consuming them as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple are practical strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to Breakfast Sausage

Understanding how many calories are in one Johnsonville breakfast sausage requires careful reading of the nutritional labels, which vary depending on the product type. The Original Links provide approximately 57 calories each, while the leaner turkey links offer just 40 calories per link, making it a preferable choice for a calorie-conscious diet. A complete nutritional analysis shows that most breakfast sausages are high in fat and sodium, highlighting the importance of moderation. By incorporating sausage mindfully with fiber-rich foods, vegetables, and lean protein sources, one can enjoy it as part of a balanced and healthy diet.

Source: Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage Product Page

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard serving of three cooked Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage links contains 170 calories. This is the figure to use when calculating the caloric value for a full serving.

Based on the nutritional information for a serving of three links (170 calories), one single cooked Original Breakfast Sausage link contains approximately 57 calories ($170 \div 3$).

Yes, calorie counts differ based on the product. For instance, a single fully cooked turkey sausage link is much lower in calories than a fully cooked original pork link.

The Johnsonville Fully Cooked Turkey Breakfast Sausage is generally considered healthier, as it has significantly less fat and saturated fat and fewer calories than its original pork counterpart.

A serving of three cooked Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage links contains 13-14g of total fat, with 4.5-5g of saturated fat.

Yes, a serving of Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage links provides 9-10g of protein, making it a decent source of this macronutrient.

Yes, in moderation and when balanced with other healthy foods. Because it is high in fat and sodium, it's best to control portion sizes and pair it with fiber-rich and nutrient-dense items.