Breakfast sandwiches are a quick and satisfying meal that can be customized in many different ways. One of the most important decisions when making a breakfast sandwich is choosing which type of meat to include. The right meat can take a breakfast sandwich from good to great. When determining the best meat for a breakfast sandwich, there are a few key factors to consider.
Taste
The flavor of the meat is arguably the most important consideration. You want a meat that is tasty on its own and also complements the other breakfast sandwich fillings like eggs, cheese, and condiments. The meat should add flavor and texture to every bite without overpowering the other ingredients.
Pork-Based Breakfast Meats
Pork-based breakfast meats like sausage, bacon, and ham are all popular choices that provide rich, savory flavor. The smokiness and hint of spice from breakfast sausage is hard to beat. Bacon offers crunchy texture and salty, smoky pork flavor. Sliced ham brings tender meatiness. These traditional pork breakfast meats are all flavorful choices that pair wonderfully with eggs and cheese.
Beef-Based Breakfast Meats
Steak and ground beef can also make tasty breakfast sandwich fillings. Grilled steak brings hearty beefiness while crumbled ground beef provides meaty texture. Beef works well when you want a more robust, savory meat flavor compared to milder pork breakfast meats.
Turkey-Based Breakfast Meats
For a lighter breakfast sandwich option, turkey-based meats are a smart choice. Turkey sausage and bacon have all the taste of their pork counterparts but are lower in fat. Deli turkey breast has mild flavor that lets the egg and cheese shine.
Convenience
Since breakfast sandwiches are meant to be quick and easy, opting for convenient meat preparations is advised. Pre-cooked meats allow you to skip extra steps like grilling raw sausage patties or frying bacon.
Pre-Cooked Breakfast Meats
Look for pre-cooked, ready-to-eat breakfast meats like fully cooked sausage patties, Canadian bacon, and pre-cooked bacon slices or strips. With these convenient options, all you have to do is assemble the sandwich.
Deli Meat
Pre-sliced deli meats such as ham, turkey, and roast beef also offer easy sandwich assembly. Deli meats are quick to layer onto a breakfast sandwich.
Pre-Formed Ground Beef
Pre-made ground beef patties, crumbles, or sausage allow you to skip cooking raw beef from scratch while still enjoying the heartier flavor of beef.
Nutrition
To help make your breakfast sandwich a balanced meal, pay attention to nutrition too. Leaner meats, sensible portions, and whole grain bread can boost the nutrition.
Leaner Pork and Beef
Opt for leaner cuts of pork and beef like Canadian bacon, 93% lean ground beef, or top round steak. These provide the meaty satisfaction without as much saturated fat.
Turkey
Turkey meats are significantly lower in total and saturated fat compared to pork and beef. Turkey sausage, bacon, and deli slices are all healthier choices.
Smaller Portions
Stick to a protein-reasonable portion of 2-3 ounces of breakfast meat rather than overloading the sandwich.
Whole Grains
Choose whole grain bread, English muffins, or biscuits as the base for a fiber boost.
Cost
To keep breakfast sandwich costs down, go for budget-friendly meats.
Sausage Patties
Pre-made pork or turkey sausage patties can provide tasty meat flavor on a budget.
Deli Ham
Sliced deli ham tends to cost noticeably less than other breakfast meats like bacon or sausage.
Canned Chicken
Shredded canned chicken makes an ultra-affordable sandwich filling while giving you a change from pork and beef.
Popularity
| Breakfast Meat | Popularity |
|---|---|
| Bacon | Very Popular |
| Sausage | Very Popular |
| Ham | Popular |
| Ground Beef | Moderately Popular |
| Steak | Less Popular |
| Turkey Bacon | Less Popular |
| Turkey Sausage | Less Popular |
| Deli Turkey | Less Popular |
| Canned Chicken | Least Popular |
Classic pork breakfast meats like bacon, sausage, and ham reign supreme in popularity. But for a delicious and more original breakfast sandwich, don’t be afraid to venture beyond the usual and try less common meats like ground beef, turkey, or canned chicken.
Ease of Preparation
To make assembling breakfast sandwiches as easy as possible, look for meats that require minimal preparation.
Pre-Cooked Meats
Bacon, sausage, ham or any pre-cooked breakfast meat only needs to be quickly reheated or warmed.
Deli Meat
Deli sliced meats can go straight from package to sandwich.
Pre-Formed Patties
Premade ground beef or turkey patties shorten cooking time.
Combination and Balance with Other Ingredients
Choose a breakfast meat that complements the other sandwich fillings for the best flavor and texture combination.
Eggs
The rich flavors of pork sausage, bacon and ham balance wonderfully with fluffy scrambled eggs or over-easy fried eggs.
Cheese
Melty cheese enhances pork, beef and turkey meats. Cheddar, Swiss, and American classics pair nicely.
Condiments
Tangy ketchup, mustard, or mayo offset salty meats. Spicy sauces like salsa or hot sauce also work well.
Vegetables
For texture and color contrast, add veggies like spinach, tomato, onion, peppers or avocado.
Avoiding Food Safety Issues
To safely enjoy breakfast meats, follow food safety best practices.
Cook Thoroughly
Cook raw pork, beef, turkey, or chicken breakfast meats to safe internal temperatures to destroy bacteria.
Don’t Cross Contaminate
Keep raw meats away from ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands and utensils after handling raw meat.
Store Properly
Refrigerate perishable cooked meats and deli meats. Freeze raw meats if not using soon.
Reheat Adequately
Heat pre-cooked frozen or refrigerated meats to 165°F before assembling sandwich.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting the best breakfast sandwich meat, delicious and versatile pork-based options like sausage, bacon, and ham are prized for their iconic flavor. But nutrition-conscious eaters can opt for leaner and lighter meats like turkey bacon, chicken, or roast beef. Ground beef and steak bring hearty, beefy flavor. Whichever meat you choose, picking pre-cooked or conveniently pre-packed options allows for fast and easy breakfast sandwiches. Just be sure to properly store and reheat meats to stay safe. With so many types of morning meats to stack between bread or biscuits, the possibilities for tantalizing breakfast sandwiches are endless.