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What animals do Amylu get their meat from?

4 min read

Since 1994, Amylu Foods has been pioneering healthier alternatives in the sausage market by focusing heavily on chicken-based products. However, the question of what animals do Amylu get their meat from involves more than just poultry, as their full line of products includes beef, pork, and other meats to create their wide range of flavors.

Quick Summary

Amylu Foods manufactures a variety of sausage, burgers, and meatballs using proteins derived from chicken, pork, beef, turkey, and veal. The company is particularly known for its extensive line of chicken sausages, which were introduced in the 1990s as a healthier option.

Key Points

  • Chicken is the signature protein: Amylu Foods pioneered the chicken sausage category and continues to use chicken as its primary protein source for many sausages, burgers, and meatballs.

  • Diverse meat sources are used: In addition to chicken, Amylu also sources meat from pork, beef, turkey, and veal for specific product lines and custom orders.

  • Pork is included in some recipes: Certain products, like their Breakfast Bites, contain both chicken and uncured bacon (pork).

  • Beef is used for collagen casings and custom orders: Some chicken sausages list beef collagen casing in the ingredients, and beef can be featured in custom products.

  • Commitment to clean ingredients: Amylu products are known for being all-natural, antibiotic-free, and made without nitrates or nitrites across all meat types.

  • Foodservice and specialty products utilize various meats: The company's broader manufacturing capabilities mean they produce a range of traditional and ethnic sausages for the foodservice market using various animal proteins.

In This Article

The Main Source: Chicken

Amylu Foods first rose to prominence by introducing the all-natural chicken sausage to the market in the 1990s. Founder Amylu Kurzawski, a third-generation sausage maker, sought to create healthier products to meet growing consumer demand. Chicken remains a core protein for the brand, featuring prominently in dozens of flavors of sausages, burgers, and meatballs. Products are often labeled "Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics" (ABF), emphasizing a commitment to cleaner ingredients. This focus on poultry has established Amylu as a leader in the natural and better-for-you chicken product space.

Expanding the Protein Portfolio

While chicken is a signature ingredient, Amylu Foods' product offerings extend to other proteins, particularly within their foodservice division and some retail items. These additional meat sources allow for a broader range of traditional and ethnic flavors, moving beyond their well-known poultry products. The company's foodservice capabilities, for example, explicitly state the ability to produce items with beef, pork, and veal. This diversity is reflected in their product lines, which have expanded significantly since their focus was solely on chicken sausages.

Other Meats Used by Amylu Foods

Amylu utilizes a combination of meats to achieve its full range of flavors.

  • Pork: Often used in traditional sausage recipes, pork is an integral part of some of Amylu's products. For instance, their Breakfast Bites include both chicken and uncured bacon (pork). The company’s heritage is rooted in traditional sausage making, which historically used pork.
  • Beef: For certain products and specific flavor profiles, beef is used either as the primary protein or in collagen casings. Some of their chicken sausages, such as the Andouille and Italian flavors, explicitly list beef collagen casing in their ingredients. The company also has the capability to manufacture custom products featuring beef.
  • Turkey: As part of their broader manufacturing and foodservice capabilities, turkey is listed as a potential protein source for some products. This aligns with their mission to offer a variety of proteins for health-conscious consumers.
  • Veal: In keeping with their heritage of traditional European sausage recipes, Amylu also has the capability to use veal in some of their traditional and specialty sausage products.

A Table of Amylu's Meat Sources

To clarify the different proteins found in Amylu products, here is a comparison table:

Animal Source Primary Use in Amylu Products Product Examples Target Consumer Notes
Chicken Primary protein for many sausages, meatballs, and burgers Italian Chicken Sausages, Apple & Gouda Chicken Sausages, Roasted Garlic Chicken Meatballs Health-conscious, flavor-focused, and gluten-free diets Used for ABF and Organic product lines.
Pork Featured in select products, including specific traditional recipes and breakfast items Breakfast Bites (uncured bacon) Broader market, traditional sausage lovers Included in certain recipes for flavor complexity and richness.
Beef Used for custom products and specifically in some collagen casings Andouille Chicken Sausages (beef collagen casing) Specific flavor profile seekers, foodservice clients Provides structural integrity for certain casings.
Turkey Custom products and broader foodservice offerings Varies; used for specific customer orders Custom food developers, specialty foodservice Part of their custom protein capabilities.
Veal Traditional and European-style sausage recipes Varies; used for specialty and foodservice Specialty sausage enthusiasts, foodservice clients Reflects the company's Old-World recipe heritage.

Clean Ingredients and No Nitrates

Regardless of the animal protein, a defining characteristic of Amylu's approach is its commitment to simple, clean ingredients. This is a significant part of the brand's appeal, especially for consumers scrutinizing food labels. All products are made without nitrates or nitrites, and many are antibiotic-free, which sets them apart from conventional processed meat manufacturers. The company's transparency about its ingredient list is crucial for building consumer trust and solidifying its position in the health food market.

Conclusion: A Diverse and Evolving Sourcing Strategy

In conclusion, while Amylu Foods is famous for its wide variety of chicken sausages, a deeper look reveals that Amylu get their meat from a more diverse set of animal sources, including chicken, pork, beef, turkey, and veal. Their initial focus on chicken helped establish the brand's identity, but their expansion into broader product lines and foodservice markets necessitated a wider protein portfolio. Amylu's meat sourcing is guided by a commitment to natural, clean ingredients, ensuring that even with a mix of different animals, the products maintain a standard of quality and flavor that has defined the company for decades.

For more information on Amylu Foods' commitment to quality ingredients, you can visit their official website. Amylu Foods About Page


This article was created based on information available as of October 2025. Product ingredients can vary and may be updated by the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while Amylu is famous for its chicken sausages, the company uses other animal proteins, including pork, beef, turkey, and veal, especially for traditional recipes and custom foodservice products.

The primary meat source for Amylu's most well-known product line is chicken. The company was a pioneer in the chicken sausage category.

Yes, some Amylu products contain pork. For example, their Breakfast Bites include uncured bacon, which is a pork product.

Many Amylu products are labeled as 'Antibiotic Free' (ABF), but not all of their products are. Consumers should check individual product packaging for specific details, though the company emphasizes clean ingredients generally.

Some chicken sausages may list beef because of the casing used. A beef collagen casing provides structural integrity for the sausage, which is explicitly noted in the ingredients for products like their Andouille Chicken Sausages.

Amylu's foodservice division has a wider manufacturing capability and can produce custom products featuring a variety of proteins, including chicken, pork, beef, turkey, and veal, to meet specific client needs.

Amylu Foods has a long history rooted in sausage manufacturing, initially in Chicago. While they have grown, they use fresh meat and simple ingredients, with sourcing practices tied to providing high-quality, clean ingredients.

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.