What Are the Ingredients in Great Value Turkey Sausage?

November 12, 2025 •

2 min read

Did you know that ingredient lists for Great Value turkey sausage can vary significantly depending on the product, from patties to sticks? Understanding what are the ingredients in Great Value turkey sausage is crucial for consumers seeking to make informed dietary choices about what is in their food.

Quick Summary

An in-depth look at the ingredient lists for popular Great Value turkey sausage products. This includes an analysis of the primary meat components, seasonings, binders, and preservatives, highlighting the differences between breakfast patties and sausage sticks.

Key Points

Varied Ingredients: The specific ingredients in Great Value turkey sausage differ significantly between products like breakfast patties and snack sticks.
Meat Source: Sausage sticks utilize mechanically separated turkey, while patties use turkey and water.
Use of Additives: Both product types rely on binders, flavorings, and preservatives such as dextrose, maltodextrin, sodium phosphate, and citric acid.
Allergen and Gluten Status: The Original Turkey Breakfast Patties contain soy, while the Original Turkey Sausage Sticks are explicitly labeled gluten-free.
Preservative Concerns: Products may contain potentially concerning additives like BHA, propyl gallate, and sodium nitrite, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Primary Ingredients in Great Value Turkey Sausage Products

Great Value offers several turkey sausage products, including breakfast patties and snack sticks, with ingredient lists varying by product. These products typically contain turkey, water, seasonings, and various additives.

Turkey and Water

The main component is turkey. The Original Turkey Breakfast Patties list "Turkey, Water" first, while the Original Turkey Sausage Sticks use "TURKEY, MECHANICALLY SEPARATED TURKEY". Water is added for moisture and binding.

Seasonings and Flavors

Flavor comes from "spices," potentially including "garlic powder" in the sticks. Sweeteners like sugar, dextrose, and corn syrup solids are used, along with "natural flavor".

Binders and Preservatives

Binders and preservatives are used for texture and shelf life. Patties use "isolated soy protein" and "sodium phosphate". Sticks use "carrageenan". Preservatives may include BHA and propyl gallate to prevent rancidity, and sodium nitrite in the sticks. Citric acid is also used.

Decoding the Ingredients: Patties vs. Sticks

The ingredient lists show clear differences between the products.

Ingredient List: Great Value Original Turkey Breakfast Patties

Ingredients include turkey, water, salt, spices, isolated soy protein, sugar, dextrose, natural flavor, maltodextrin, sodium phosphate, caramel color, BHA, propyl gallate, and citric acid. Contains soy.

Ingredient List: Great Value Original Turkey Sausage Sticks

Ingredients are turkey, mechanically separated turkey, salt, corn syrup solids, spices, dextrose, lactic acid starter culture, carrageenan, sodium erythorbate, garlic powder, and sodium nitrite. Labeled gluten-free.

Understanding the Role of Additives

Additives help create a consistent product:

Sodium Phosphate: Improves texture and moisture retention.
Dextrose: A sugar for flavor and browning.
Maltodextrin: A filler and binder.
Carrageenan: A thickening agent.
BHA and Propyl Gallate: Antioxidants; flagged by EWG for concern. More info at the Environmental Working Group's website.
Sodium Nitrite: Used for preserving and curing meat; flagged by EWG for concern.

Nutritional Considerations Beyond Ingredients

These sausages can be high in sodium. Though sometimes seen as a healthier alternative to pork, processing adds sodium and potentially concerning additives like those noted by EWG. Added sugars are also present.

Comparison Table: Turkey Sausage Patties vs. Sticks


Feature	Original Turkey Breakfast Patties	Original Turkey Sausage Sticks
Form of Turkey	Turkey, Water	Turkey, Mechanically Separated Turkey
Binding Agents	Isolated Soy Protein, Sodium Phosphate	Carrageenan
Preservatives	BHA, Propyl Gallate, Citric Acid	Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Erythorbate, Lactic Acid Starter Culture
Added Sweeteners	Sugar, Dextrose, Maltodextrin	Corn Syrup Solids, Dextrose
Allergens	Contains Soy	None listed on sticks
Gluten-Free	Unconfirmed	Confirmed Gluten-Free

Conclusion: What’s Really in Your Sausage?

Great Value turkey sausage products contain various ingredients beyond simple turkey and seasonings, depending on whether they are patties or sticks. Both include preservatives and additives for flavor, texture, and preservation. Consumers should check labels for specific ingredients, especially regarding allergens or concerns about additives like sodium nitrite, BHA, or isolated soy protein.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, due to the high number of additives and the extent of processing, products like the Great Value turkey sausage patties are often classified as ultra-processed foods.

Yes, the Original Turkey Breakfast Patties contain isolated soy protein and are not suitable for those with a soy allergy. However, the ingredient list should be checked for every product.

The Original Turkey Sausage Sticks are explicitly labeled as gluten-free. The breakfast patties' gluten-free status can vary, and it is best to check the product label carefully.

Mechanically separated turkey is a paste-like meat product. It is an ingredient found in the Great Value Original Turkey Sausage Sticks, contributing to the product's texture and composition.

Preservatives can vary by product. For example, the patties contain BHA and propyl gallate, while the snack sticks contain sodium nitrite. Sodium erythorbate and citric acid are also common.

Yes, Great Value turkey sausage products, including both patties and sticks, contain added sugars like dextrose and corn syrup solids for flavor and binding.

While often lower in fat than pork sausage, the high sodium content and use of various additives in Great Value turkey sausage are key nutritional factors to consider. Consumers should compare labels directly to evaluate differences.