A Complete Guide to What Are the Ingredients in Johnsonville Cheddar Sausage

According to the official Johnsonville website, their signature Beddar with Cheddar smoked sausage is made with 100% premium pork and chunks of real cheddar cheese. Understanding what are the ingredients in Johnsonville cheddar sausage involves examining not only the meat and cheese but also a list of less common components that contribute to flavor, texture, and preservation.

Quick Summary

The popular sausage contains primary ingredients like pork, water, and pasteurized process cheddar cheese, along with a blend of additives for flavor and preservation, including salt, corn syrup, potassium lactate, and sodium nitrite.

Key Points

• Premium Pork: The primary ingredient in Johnsonville cheddar sausage is 100% premium pork.

• Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese: The cheese component is a processed variety, not solid block cheese, designed for optimal melting and consistency.

• Preservatives: Ingredients like sodium nitrite, potassium lactate, and sodium diacetate are included to extend shelf life and prevent bacterial growth.

• Flavor & Texture: Corn syrup, sugar, and natural flavors are used to enhance taste, balance saltiness, and improve moisture retention.

• Curing Agent: Sodium nitrite is a critical curing agent that prevents botulism and gives the sausage its characteristic flavor and color.

• Gluten-Free: The standard Johnsonville cheddar sausage is gluten-free, with no fillers or artificial colors/flavors.

What Are the Key Ingredients in Johnsonville Cheddar Sausage?

Based on the product label for Johnsonville's "Beddar with Cheddar" smoked sausage, the ingredient list provides a comprehensive look at its composition. The ingredients are listed in descending order by weight.

Key components include pork, water, and pasteurized process cheddar cheese. The pasteurized process cheddar cheese itself contains cheddar cheese, water, milkfat, sodium phosphate, salt, and natural colorings, with powdered cellulose added to prevent caking. Ingredients present in smaller quantities (less than 2%) contribute to flavor and shelf life.

Breaking Down the Additives and Less Common Ingredients

These lesser ingredients include salt, corn syrup, potassium lactate (a preservative), sugar, natural flavors, sodium diacetate (antimicrobial), sodium erythorbate (antioxidant), sodium nitrite (curing agent), and a beef collagen casing.

Understanding the Purpose of Sausage Additives

Additives serve various functions such as preservation (Potassium Lactate, Sodium Diacetate), curing (Sodium Nitrite to prevent botulism), flavor enhancement (Salt, natural flavors), texture and moisture control (Water, Corn Syrup), and color stabilization (Sodium Erythorbate, Paprika Extract).

Comparison Table: Johnsonville vs. Another Cheddar Sausage

Here is a comparison of Johnsonville's "Beddar with Cheddar" with Hillshire Farm's Cheddarwurst.

Feature	Johnsonville "Beddar with Cheddar"	Hillshire Farm Cheddarwurst
Primary Meat	100% Premium Pork	Pork, Beef, Mechanically Separated Turkey
Cheese Type	Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese	Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese
Sweeteners	Corn Syrup, Sugar	Corn Syrup, Dextrose
Other Additives	Potassium Lactate, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Erythorbate	Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Yeast Extract
Claimed Features	No fillers, artificial colors/flavors, gluten-free	Uses mechanically separated turkey, flavor additives
Allergens	Milk	Milk

Conclusion

Johnsonville cheddar sausage contains premium pork and pasteurized process cheddar cheese, alongside additives for preservation, flavor, and color. The sausage is gluten-free and does not contain artificial colors or flavors. For more information on additive regulations, refer to the USDA website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Johnsonville cheddar sausage gluten-free?

Yes, Johnsonville's Beddar with Cheddar sausage is gluten-free. The company specifies that most of its products do not contain gluten, with certain exceptions like some brats or meatballs.

What is 'pasteurized process cheddar cheese'?

Pasteurized process cheddar cheese is a cheese product made by heating and blending natural cheddar cheese with other ingredients like water, milkfat, and emulsifying salts (e.g., sodium phosphate) to create a smooth, consistent product that melts evenly.

Why is corn syrup in Johnsonville sausage?

Corn syrup serves multiple purposes in sausage production, including adding a mild sweetness to balance flavors, aiding in moisture retention for juiciness, and promoting browning during cooking.

What is the purpose of sodium nitrite?

Sodium nitrite is a curing agent used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, most importantly Clostridium botulinum, while also developing the cured flavor and pink color of the meat.

Are there artificial flavors in Johnsonville cheddar sausage?

The ingredient list specifies "natural flavors." These are complex, proprietary blends derived from natural sources, such as spices, but are not listed individually on the label.

Does Johnsonville cheddar sausage contain MSG?

Some Johnsonville products contain monosodium glutamate (MSG), used to enhance flavor, but the standard "Beddar with Cheddar" smoked sausage ingredient list does not typically include it.

What is potassium lactate and what does it do?

Potassium lactate is the potassium salt of lactic acid. It is used as a food additive, primarily as a preservative in meat and poultry products to extend shelf life by inhibiting the growth of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria.