Understanding Processed Meat: Is Chicken Sausage Considered a Processed Meat?

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, processed meats are classified as Group 1 carcinogens, meaning there is strong evidence they cause cancer. This raises a critical question for many health-conscious consumers: Is chicken sausage considered a processed meat? The answer depends on how it is prepared, but for most commercially available products, the answer is yes.

Quick Summary

This article defines processed meat based on preservation methods like curing, smoking, or adding preservatives. It clarifies why commercially produced chicken sausage typically qualifies, examining added ingredients and nutritional trade-offs. The health implications associated with consumption are detailed, along with discussing minimally processed options and healthier alternatives for a balanced diet.

Key Points

Categorization: Most commercial chicken sausage is a processed meat due to preservation methods like curing, salting, and adding chemical additives.
Ingredient Awareness: Even products labeled 'uncured' can use naturally derived nitrates (e.g., from celery powder) as preservatives, which are still considered a form of processing.
Health Risks: Processed meats, including chicken varieties, have been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, largely due to additives and high sodium content.
DIY vs. Store-Bought: Homemade chicken sausage, made from scratch with fresh ingredients, is an unprocessed alternative, while store-bought versions are not.
Prioritize Unprocessed: For better nutrition, focus on minimally processed protein sources like fresh chicken breast, fish, legumes, or eggs, and always read product labels.

What Defines a Processed Meat?

Understanding what constitutes a processed meat is key to answering the question about chicken sausage. Processed meat is any meat that has been modified from its fresh state to enhance its flavor or extend its shelf life. This processing can occur through various methods, including:

Curing: Adding chemical preservatives like nitrates and nitrites.
Salting: Preserving with salt.
Smoking: Infusing with smoke for flavor and preservation.
Fermentation: Using microorganisms to preserve and flavor the meat.
Adding chemical preservatives: Ingredients added during production to prevent spoilage.

These treatments are used on all types of meat, including poultry, beef, and pork, and result in products like ham, bacon, deli meats, and sausages. Even some products labeled "uncured" still contain naturally occurring nitrates from ingredients like celery powder, which function as preservatives. The level of processing, not just the type of meat, is the determining factor.

So, Is Chicken Sausage Considered a Processed Meat?

Yes, in the vast majority of cases, commercially produced chicken sausage is considered a processed meat. The reason is simple: most manufacturers preserve and flavor the ground chicken meat by adding ingredients, such as salt, spices, fats, and chemical preservatives, before stuffing it into a casing. While some homemade versions can be made with fresh, unprocessed ingredients, any store-bought sausage that undergoes preservation techniques like curing or smoking falls into the processed category. Even if a product is made from a lean source like chicken, these modifications push it into the processed food group. Consumers should always read labels carefully to understand exactly what they are eating.

Commercial vs. Homemade: The Critical Difference

The key distinction lies in the manufacturing process. Commercially produced chicken sausage is almost always processed. Ingredients like nitrates, nitrites, and high levels of sodium are added to preserve the product and enhance its flavor. These additives are what raise health concerns. By contrast, a homemade chicken sausage made from ground chicken, fresh herbs, and spices, with no added preservatives, would be considered an unprocessed or minimally processed food. This homemade version, when cooked, retains the benefits of lean poultry without the risks associated with chemical additives.

Nutritional Comparison: Processed vs. Unprocessed Chicken

Comparing commercially produced chicken sausage with unprocessed chicken is crucial for making informed dietary choices. While both provide protein, their nutritional profiles differ significantly.


Feature	Commercially Produced Chicken Sausage	Unprocessed Chicken (e.g., breast)
Sodium Content	Often very high, with some brands containing over 800mg per serving.	Very low, naturally occurring sodium.
Fat Content	Can vary widely. Some brands are lean, while others add fat for flavor and moisture.	Typically very lean, especially the breast meat.
Additives	Often contains nitrates, nitrites, preservatives, and flavorings.	None. Contains only chicken meat.
Processing Level	High level of processing involving grinding, mixing, seasoning, and curing/smoking.	Minimal processing, usually just cutting or grinding.
Health Impact	Associated with increased risk of certain diseases due to additives and high sodium.	Generally considered a healthy protein source when prepared properly.

The Health Implications of Processed Meats

Regardless of whether it's made from red meat or poultry, consuming processed meat carries documented health risks. The World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research recommend limiting or avoiding processed meats. Some of the primary health concerns include:

Increased Cancer Risk: Processed meats are linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The nitrates and nitrites added as preservatives can form cancer-causing compounds known as N-nitroso compounds in the gut.
Higher Sodium Content: High levels of sodium in processed foods can contribute to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Potential for High Saturated Fat: While chicken sausage can be leaner than pork or beef varieties, some manufacturers add fat to improve taste, which can increase the saturated fat content.
Other Additives: Many processed meats contain additional additives and flavorings, the long-term health effects of which are not fully understood.

Healthier Alternatives to Processed Sausage

For those seeking the flavor of sausage without the health risks of processed meats, there are several delicious and nutritious alternatives. Making your own is the best way to control ingredients and avoid preservatives.

Healthier options to explore:

Homemade Chicken Sausage: Grind your own chicken or use high-quality ground chicken and mix with fresh herbs like fennel, sage, and oregano.
Unprocessed Lean Protein: Incorporate fresh, lean poultry or fish into your meals, such as grilled chicken breast, baked salmon, or canned tuna/salmon.
Plant-Based Proteins: Utilize legumes, beans, tofu, or lentils to add protein to meals.
Roasted or Sliced Leftover Meats: Use slices of leftover roast beef or chicken from a home-cooked meal as a sandwich filling instead of deli meat.
Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs or frittatas are an excellent, high-protein, and unprocessed alternative.

Conclusion: Making Mindful Dietary Choices

In conclusion, the question of whether is chicken sausage considered a processed meat? is unequivocally answered for most store-bought options: yes. By definition, the processing methods of curing, salting, and adding preservatives categorize it as such, despite its poultry origin. While chicken sausage can be part of a balanced diet when consumed in moderation, it's crucial to be aware of the added sodium and preservatives. Prioritizing fresh, minimally processed protein sources, whether animal or plant-based, and reading product labels carefully are the most effective ways to reduce your intake of processed foods and support overall health.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For specific health concerns, consult a healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not necessarily. While chicken is often considered a lean meat, the processing involved in making sausage typically adds high levels of sodium, fat, and preservatives, diminishing the health benefits of the original protein.

Yes, they are still considered processed if they have undergone other preservation methods like smoking or salting. Furthermore, many brands labeled "nitrate-free" use naturally-sourced nitrates from ingredients like celery powder, which act similarly to synthetic versions.

The main difference is the preservation method. Fresh chicken has not been altered with curing, salting, or chemical preservatives, while processed chicken has been modified to extend its shelf life or enhance its flavor.

Check the ingredients list on the packaging. The presence of chemical preservatives (like sodium nitrite), added salt beyond a minimal amount, or indications of curing or smoking are key signs of a processed product.

Healthier alternatives include making your own sausage from ground chicken, opting for other lean protein sources like fresh chicken breast or fish, or incorporating plant-based proteins like beans and lentils into your meals.

Simple ground chicken is considered a fresh, minimally processed meat, not a processed meat, unless it has added preservatives or flavorings. It's the further curing, salting, or smoking that makes it processed.

Yes, excessive consumption of processed meats, including chicken sausage, is linked to a higher risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as certain cancers, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.