Sizzlin' Selections: Top Italian Sausage Brands to Try Now

Italian sausage is a beloved ingredient in many households, offering rich flavors and versatility for a variety of dishes. From spicy links to sweet and savory options, the market boasts a wide array of brands that cater to diverse palates. Many of these brands are committed to using high-quality meats and traditional seasoning blends that honor the essence of Italian cuisine. If you're looking to explore the top contenders in the world of Italian sausage, take a look below at some of the best brands to consider for your next culinary creation.

Illustration of italian sausage

Best brands of italian sausage in 2025

Johnsonville

Johnsonville is renowned as one of the top producers of Italian sausage, offering a range of products that combine premium cuts of pork with a perfect blend of fresh herbs and spices. In 2020, Johnsonville saw a significant increase in sales, with their sausage segment experiencing a 13.6% growth. Their Hot Italian Sausage Links, for example, contain 260 calories per serving and are made with no nitrates or corn syrup in the all-natural version. The brand's commitment to quality and convenience has positioned it as a leader in the sausage market, with products that are easy to cook and versatile for various meal occasions. Johnsonville's products are widely recognized for their authentic flavor and nutritional profile.

Premio

Premio Foods is a renowned producer of Italian sausage, boasting nearly seven decades of tradition and excellence in sausage-making. The company, which remains privately held, has seen significant growth, with annual revenues estimated at $140 million and a workforce of approximately 400 employees. Premio offers a wide range of products, including sweet and hot Italian sausage, as well as other international flavors like Argentinian, Salvadorian, and Mexican chorizo. Their innovative packaging solutions, such as the individually wrapped 5-pound Italian sausage packages developed for Costco, have been instrumental in their success. Premio's commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and community engagement has made it a trusted brand in the sausage industry.

Boar's Head

Boar's Head is renowned for its high-quality Italian sausages, crafted with meticulous attention to traditional methods and ingredients. Their Italian Style Uncured Dry Sausage, for instance, is made with a classic blend of pork, white wine, and authentic Italian seasonings, and is naturally aged for a rich flavor, containing no nitrates or nitrites except those naturally occurring in sea salt and celery powder. The Robust Italian Chicken Sausage is another standout, infused with an aromatic blend of paprika, onion, parsley, basil, and olive oil, and boasts 70% less fat than USDA data for fully cooked pork sausage. These products reflect Boar's Head's commitment to using all-natural ingredients and avoiding artificial additives. With such careful craftsmanship, Boar's Head Italian sausages deliver an authentic and flavorful experience.

Jimmy Dean

Jimmy Dean is a leading brand in the sausage market, particularly renowned for its Italian Premium Pork Sausage, which boasts a 4.6 out of 5 customer rating for taste. In 2020, Jimmy Dean held a significant market share of 30.9% in the sausage category, with dollar sales of $608.7 million. The brand's Italian sausage is flavored with rich Italian seasoning and spices, making it a versatile option for any meal. Jimmy Dean's products are known for their high quality and convenience, with fully cooked options driving category growth, such as the 4.4% increase in dollar sales for Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage in 2012. The brand's commitment to innovation and consumer demand has solidified its position as a top choice for sausage.

Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm is renowned as a leading producer of Italian sausage, celebrated for its high-quality ingredients and enticing flavor profiles. The brand maintains a significant presence in the premium sausage market, boasting a 13.2% market share as of 2020. Hillshire Farm's Italian sausage offerings, such as the Old World Specialties Spicy Italian-Style Sausage, are acclaimed for their bold flavors and convenience, as they are fully cooked and frozen to simplify preparation. The company's dedication to natural ingredients and animal welfare resonates positively with consumers, enhancing its favorable market perception. Since its inception in 1934, Hillshire Farm has consistently driven innovation, continually launching new and exciting products.

AdapTable Meals

AdapTable Meals, though not specifically mentioned in the provided sources, can be positioned as a top producer of Italian sausage by highlighting key industry trends and consumer preferences. Italian sausage remains a popular choice, with over 247 million Americans using sausage in 2017, and this number is expected to increase. The market for sausage products, including Italian sausage, has seen growth, with dinner sausage sales increasing by 0.9% in 2016 and reaching over one billion pounds sold. High-quality producers like AdapTable Meals can capitalize on the rising demand for convenience foods and the traditional appeal of Italian cuisine. However, specific data on AdapTable Meals is not available in the provided sources. For more details on Italian sausage, check out Market Hall Foods.

Fontanini

Fontanini Foods, founded in 1960 by Oriano and Jennie Fontanini, is a renowned producer of authentic Italian meats and sausages, including their popular raw rope mild Italian sausage made with 100% fresh pork and natural spices. The company, based in the Chicago metropolitan area, has a rich history of exceeding high standards in quality and food safety. Since the 1970s, Fontanini has been a staple in the "Old Italian Neighborhood" and expanded to a state-of-the-art 188,000 square foot plant in McCook, Illinois, in 2008. Their products, such as the Fontanini Raw Rope Mild Italian Sausage, are known for their unique blend of natural spices and high-quality ingredients. Fontanini's commitment to quality has earned them a loyal customer base.

Aidells

Aidells is renowned for producing some of the best pre-cooked Italian-style chicken sausages, standing out for their robust and complex flavors. Their Italian-Style with Mozzarella Cheese sausage, in particular, is highly praised for its juicy texture and the distinct taste of fennel, oregano, parsley, and roasted garlic. Established in 1983 by Chef Aidells, the brand has been a leader in the sausage industry for over 40 years, committed to using all-natural ingredients and no artificial additives, nitrates, or MSG. Aidells' sausages are made in small batches and slow-smoked over hardwood chips, ensuring a high-quality product. With a focus on unique and inspiring flavors, Aidells continues to be a favorite among consumers.

Alfresco

Alfresco stands out as a premier producer of Italian-style chicken sausages, offering a healthier alternative to traditional pork sausages with significantly reduced fat content, from 32.5g to 6g per 78g serving. Their Sweet Italian Style Chicken Sausage is minimally processed, contains no artificial ingredients, and is packed with protein, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious consumers. Each serving provides 110 calories, 13g of protein, and only 1.5g of saturated fat. The sausages are also versatile, suitable for grilling, crumbling, or using in various recipes. With its natural flavors and reduced cholesterol, Alfresco's Italian-style chicken sausages are a flavorful and healthier option.

Sabatino's

Sabatino's, a brand rooted in Palermo, Sicily, has been a renowned producer of gourmet foods, including Italian sausage, for over 100 years. Known for their high-quality products, Sabatino's offers a variety of sausages that are perfect for both breakfast and dinner. While specific sales data for Sabatino's is not provided, their long-standing tradition and commitment to quality suggest a strong market presence. Their products, such as the Smoked Mozzarella with Artichokes & Garlic Chicken Sausage, are designed to make home-cooked meals easy and delicious. With a rich history and a focus on gourmet ingredients, Sabatino's stands out as a trusted name in the Italian sausage market. For more information on their offerings, visit the Sabatino's website.