Does Hillshire Have Nitrates? Understanding Cured vs. Uncured Products

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

According to research from the MD Anderson Cancer Center, nitrates are naturally present in the human body and are found in various foods, including vegetables like celery. For consumers wondering, "Does Hillshire have nitrates?" the answer is a bit more nuanced than a simple yes or no and depends heavily on the specific product and its curing process.

Quick Summary

Different Hillshire Farm products contain varying levels and types of nitrates. While their 'Naturals' line states no added nitrates or nitrites, they do use naturally occurring sources like celery juice powder. In contrast, some traditional Hillshire Farm cured products, like smoked sausage, may contain synthetic sodium nitrite.

Key Points

Not All Products Are the Same: Hillshire Farm offers both conventionally cured products with added synthetic nitrates (like sodium nitrite) and "uncured" options using naturally occurring nitrates from sources like celery juice powder.
Read the Label Closely: The term "uncured" doesn't mean nitrate-free; it indicates that the nitrates used for preservation come from natural, not synthetic, sources, and this is typically noted with an asterisk on the packaging.
Natural Nitrates Act Like Synthetic Ones: Once processed, the nitrates derived from celery juice powder and other natural ingredients function chemically in the same way as their synthetic counterparts to cure the meat.
Preservation is Key: Both curing methods serve the important purpose of preventing bacterial growth (such as Clostridium botulinum) and extending the meat's shelf life.
Check for Celery Juice Powder: If you see "celery juice powder" or "sea salt" on an ingredient list for an "uncured" product, you know it contains naturally derived nitrates.
For Zero Nitrates, Choose Unprocessed: The only way to ensure a completely nitrate-free meat product is to purchase fresh, unprocessed items, as all cured meats contain some form of nitrates or nitrites.

Decoding the 'No Added Nitrates' Label on Hillshire Farm Products

Understanding whether Hillshire Farm products contain nitrates involves looking at their curing methods. The company offers both conventionally cured products and those labeled "uncured," and the presence and source of nitrates differ between these categories. The key distinction lies in whether synthetic additives are used or if nitrates come from natural sources like celery juice powder.

The Difference Between Cured and Uncured Meats

Cured meats are treated with chemical additives such as synthetic sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate to preserve them, extend shelf life, and prevent bacterial growth, including Clostridium botulinum. These additives also help maintain the meat's color and flavor. Some traditional Hillshire Farm products, like certain smoked sausages, list sodium nitrite in their ingredients, indicating they are conventionally cured.

In contrast, "uncured" meats, such as those in the Hillshire Farm Naturals line, utilize natural sources of nitrates for preservation. The nitrates from these natural sources are converted by bacteria into nitrites, which function as preservatives in the same way as synthetic ones. Essentially, an uncured product is still preserved, but with a different origin for the preserving agent.

Natural vs. Synthetic Nitrates: A Closer Look

While the end result and function are similar, the source of nitrates is the primary difference between cured and uncured products.

Natural Nitrates: Found in vegetables like celery, spinach, and beetroots.
Synthetic Nitrates: These are chemically produced preservatives, typically sodium nitrite, used in the conventional curing process.

Hillshire Farm Product Examples

Ingredient lists on Hillshire Farm products demonstrate the difference in curing methods.

Example: Smoked Sausage

Traditional Smoked Sausage: May list "sodium nitrite".
Hillshire Farm Naturals Uncured Turkey Kielbasa Smoked Sausage: The label specifies "No nitrites or nitrates added except for those naturally occurring in celery juice powder and sea salt".

Navigating Your Choices

Making an informed choice means reading ingredient labels carefully. The presence of celery juice powder indicates natural nitrates. While some prefer uncured meats, the resulting nitrite compound is the same as in conventionally cured products, and sodium levels are often similar.

Cured vs. Uncured Hillshire Farm Products

{Link: Wellshire https://eatwellshire.com/uncured-vs-cured-meats-whats-the-difference/} provides a table comparing cured and uncured meats, highlighting features like Nitrate Source, Labeling, Processing, Preservation, Primary Difference, and Flavor based on whether synthetic or natural sources are used.

Conclusion

The presence of nitrates in Hillshire Farm products depends on whether the item is conventionally cured or labeled as "uncured". While uncured products use naturally sourced nitrates from ingredients like celery juice powder, both types contain nitrites for preservation. Consumers can make informed decisions by examining ingredient labels.

Navigating the Labels

Check the full ingredient list: Look beyond front-of-package claims. The presence of celery juice powder or other natural flavorings indicates natural nitrates.
Look for the asterisk: This disclaimer, such as "*Except for those naturally occurring in celery juice powder and sea salt," identifies uncured products.
Know the purpose: Nitrates are added for preservation, safety, flavor, and color.
Distinguish between types: "Natural" nitrates come from plant sources but function similarly to synthetic ones.
Consider the source: For complete avoidance of nitrates, opt for fresh, unprocessed items like unprocessed meat, poultry, and fish.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in the source of the curing agent. Cured products use synthetic preservatives like sodium nitrite, while uncured products use natural sources of nitrates, such as celery juice powder.

No. The term "uncured" is a bit of a misnomer, as these products are still cured using natural nitrates derived from vegetable sources like celery juice powder. The label will typically carry a disclaimer clarifying this.

Celery juice powder is a natural ingredient used as a curing agent in "uncured" meats. It contains naturally occurring nitrates that are converted into nitrites during the curing process, performing the same preservative functions as synthetic sodium nitrite.

No, not all Hillshire Farm sausages are the same. While some traditional smoked sausages list sodium nitrite, others, particularly from the "Naturals" line, are uncured and use natural preservatives from sources like celery juice powder.

Some people prefer naturally sourced nitrates, but the chemical function of the end compound (nitrite) is the same. The U.S. government considers them equivalent for regulatory purposes, and uncured products can sometimes be higher in sodium to compensate for the different preservation method.

Read the ingredient label carefully. Cured products will list sodium nitrite or sodium nitrate. Uncured products will state "no added nitrates or nitrites," followed by an asterisk disclaimer mentioning celery juice powder or sea salt.

No, it's virtually impossible with processed and cured meats, as some form of nitrate or nitrite is necessary for preservation and food safety. To completely avoid nitrates, you must stick to fresh, unprocessed, and non-cured meats.