Is Chicken Sausage Considered Processed Meat? A Complete Nutrition Guide

October 6, 2025 •

5 min read

Many assume a white meat like chicken makes a sausage automatically healthier and less processed, but is chicken sausage considered processed meat? The answer depends on the manufacturing methods used to create the product. Unlike fresh chicken, sausages often contain added preservatives, flavorings, and salt that meet the criteria for processed foods.

Quick Summary

Chicken sausage is typically a form of processed meat due to preservation methods like salting or curing and the use of additives. Consumers should check product labels carefully to understand the level of processing and specific ingredients.

Key Points

Processing Definition: Most commercially produced chicken sausage is considered processed meat because it has been transformed using preservation methods like curing, salting, or smoking, not just because it's been ground.
Additives are Key: Even products labeled as "uncured" or "nitrate-free" are typically still processed, as they contain natural nitrate sources like celery powder.
Not a 'Health Food': While often lower in fat and calories than pork sausage, chicken sausage can still be high in sodium and other additives, which have negative health implications.
Potential Health Risks: High consumption of processed meat, including chicken sausage, is linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
How to Choose: Consumers should carefully read food labels, prioritize fresh alternatives, and consider making their own sausage to control ingredients and minimize processing.

Understanding the Definition of Processed Meat

To determine whether chicken sausage is processed, it's essential to understand the definition of processed meat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), processed meat is any meat that has been transformed through methods like salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavor or improve preservation. This differs from fresh meat, which has only undergone mechanical processes like grinding or cutting. While many processed meats are derived from red meat like pork or beef, poultry can also be processed in the same manner. The key isn't the type of animal, but the manufacturing and preservation techniques applied to it.

Yes, Chicken Sausage Is Considered Processed Meat

Based on the widely accepted definition, most commercially available chicken sausage is, in fact, processed meat. The journey from fresh chicken to sausage involves several key steps that classify it as such:

Grinding: The chicken meat and fat are ground together.
Seasoning and Additives: The ground meat is mixed with a blend of seasonings, spices, and often chemical preservatives to enhance flavor and extend shelf life.
Curing: Many chicken sausages are cured. The curing process typically involves salt and chemical preservatives like nitrates and nitrites. These are added to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, preserve color, and develop a characteristic flavor.
Stuffing: The mixture is then stuffed into casings, which can be natural or synthetic.

Some manufacturers market their products as "nitrate-free" or "uncured". However, this often means they use natural sources of nitrates, such as celery powder or celery juice. Regardless of the source, these natural compounds still convert into nitrites when ingested, performing the same preservative function as synthetic ones. Therefore, even these products are considered processed and contain nitrates.

The Nutritional Differences Between Sausages

Many consumers gravitate toward chicken or turkey sausage believing it to be a significantly healthier choice than its pork counterpart. While there are often differences in fat content, it's crucial to examine the full nutritional profile, especially sodium and additives.

Chicken Sausage vs. Pork Sausage: A Nutritional Comparison


Nutritional Factor	Chicken Sausage (e.g., typical link)	Pork Sausage (e.g., typical link)
Calories	Often lower, around 140–160 calories per link	Generally higher, ranging from 290–455 calories per link
Total Fat	Lower, often 7–10 grams per link	Higher, between 23–38 grams per link
Saturated Fat	Lower, but varies by brand and preparation	Higher, a key contributor to its calorie count
Sodium	Can be very high, as salt is used for flavor and preservation	Also very high, a standard component of curing
Processing	Cured with preservatives (synthetic or natural)	Cured with preservatives (synthetic or natural)
Preservatives	May contain nitrates/nitrites, depending on the brand	May contain nitrates/nitrites, depending on the brand

As the table shows, a typical chicken sausage often contains less fat and fewer calories than a traditional pork sausage. However, it's not automatically a health food, as many versions contain substantial amounts of sodium and preservatives, which are common in both types of processed meat.

The Health Implications of Processed Meat

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence that it can cause cancer in humans. The primary concern for processed meats, including chicken sausage, revolves around specific compounds that form during processing and high-temperature cooking.

Key health considerations include:

Carcinogenic Compounds: Chemicals like N-nitroso compounds and nitrosamines can be formed from nitrates and nitrites added during curing. These, along with other harmful substances like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) formed during high-temperature cooking, are linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
High Sodium Content: The high salt content used for preservation can increase the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and stomach cancer.
Other Chronic Diseases: Research also links high consumption of processed meats with an elevated risk of type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Navigating the Supermarket: What to Look For

Reading Food Labels

Understanding how to read a food label is your best tool for making informed choices. When shopping for chicken sausage, scrutinize the ingredients list and nutritional information panel:

Check the ingredients list: Look for specific preservatives like sodium nitrite or potassium nitrate. Be cautious of products listing "celery powder" or "celery juice powder," as these are natural sources of nitrates.
Scan the sodium content: Compare different brands and opt for those with lower sodium. A quick tip is to look for options with less than 300 mg of sodium per serving.
Consider the shelf life: Fresh meat will have a shorter expiration date. A very long shelf life is a strong indicator of heavy processing and preservatives.

Healthier Sausage Choices

For those who enjoy sausage but want a healthier, less-processed option, consider these alternatives:

Fresh Ground Chicken: Look for fresh, unseasoned ground chicken or turkey in the meat aisle. You can season it yourself with spices and form it into patties.
Homemade Sausage: Making your own sausage at home from fresh ingredients ensures you have complete control over the preservatives and sodium content.
Plant-Based Alternatives: The market offers a wide variety of plant-based sausages made from ingredients like soy, peas, or wheat protein. However, be sure to read the labels on these as well, as some can be high in sodium and additives.
Other Lean Proteins: Replace sausages with other lean protein sources like fresh chicken breast, fish, eggs, beans, or lentils to reduce your intake of processed foods.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices for a Healthier Diet

Ultimately, the question of whether chicken sausage is processed meat is straightforward: in almost all commercial instances, yes, it is. The health implications associated with processed meats are not limited to red meat; they apply to poultry as well when it undergoes the same curing, salting, and preserving processes. The level of processing can vary significantly between brands, so a mindful, label-reading approach is key to understanding what you're consuming.

For those looking to reduce their intake, opting for fresh, unprocessed chicken or exploring homemade and plant-based alternatives provides delicious and healthier options. By understanding the manufacturing process and reading labels, you can make more informed dietary choices that align with your health and nutrition goals. More detailed information on processed meat classifications can be found on the WHO's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fresh meat is raw meat that has only undergone mechanical processing, such as grinding or cutting. Processed meat has been altered to enhance its flavor or shelf life through methods like salting, curing, smoking, or the addition of preservatives.

While some brands are labeled 'nitrate-free', they often use natural sources of nitrates like celery powder. These natural nitrates still function as preservatives, meaning the product is still processed, and the long-term health impact is not definitively different from using synthetic nitrates.

Chicken sausage is often lower in calories and fat than pork sausage. However, it is not inherently 'healthy' as both can be high in sodium and other preservatives. Checking the label for these factors is essential.

No. Fresh sausages, often found at butcher counters, are only mechanically processed (ground and stuffed) and do not contain curing agents. They have a shorter shelf life and must be refrigerated, unlike cured sausages.

The WHO classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. High consumption is also associated with a greater risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses.

To find less processed chicken sausage, look for brands with short, simple ingredient lists that do not include preservatives like nitrates, nitrites, or celery powder. Your best option is to make your own at home from fresh ground chicken.

Healthy alternatives include fresh ground chicken or turkey, homemade sausage patties, plant-based protein options (like lentils, beans, or tofu), or lean, fresh, un-processed meat that you season and cook yourself.