Sausage is a meat product made from ground or minced meat along with salt, spices, and other flavorings. The main difference between ground sausage and Italian sausage lies in the type of meat used and the seasonings added.
Ground Sausage
Ground sausage is made from raw pork or beef that has been ground or minced. It can contain meat from different cuts. The meat is seasoned with salt, pepper, sage, and other spices. Ground sausage has a coarse texture from the meat grinding and is unlinked. Some examples of ground sausage include:
- Breakfast sausage – seasoned with sage and black pepper
- Chorizo – seasoned with paprika and garlic
- Bratwurst – seasoned with caraway, allspice, nutmeg
Ground sausage can be formed into patties and links after the seasoning is added. It is a versatile sausage that can be crumbled and cooked into dishes or grilled and eaten on its own.
Italian Sausage
Italian sausage originated from Italy and contains fennel as the distinctive seasoning. It uses pork as the main meat. Italian sausage gets its signature flavor from fennel seeds or fennel pollen. Some of the seasonings included are:
- Fennel seeds
- Black pepper
- Chili flakes
- Parsley
- Garlic
- Paprika
Italian sausage usually uses pork butt or other fatty cuts of pork. This gives the sausage its characteristic rich and juicy texture after cooking. The meat is minced less coarsely than ground sausage, giving the sausage a smoother appearance.
Italian sausage can be sweet or hot depending on the amount of chili flakes added. It is sold as links, patties, or in bulk sausage form. Italian sausage is popular for cooking in pasta sauces, soups, and casseroles.
Key Differences
Here is a summary of the main differences between ground sausage and Italian sausage:
| Ground Sausage | Italian Sausage |
|---|---|
| Made from pork or beef | Made from pork only |
| Coarsely ground meat | Finely minced meat |
| Seasoned with sage, pepper, etc. | Seasoned with fennel, chili flakes, etc. |
| Used for patties, links, or crumbles | Usually sold as links |
| Versatile flavor | Distinct fennel flavor |
Uses
The different seasoning and texture of the two sausages lend themselves to different cooking applications:
- Ground sausage – Often used for meatballs, lasagna, casseroles, soups, pizza, sauteed vegetables
- Italian sausage – Great for pasta sauces, pizza, soups, braising, grilling links
Both sausages can be cooked from their raw state. Ground sausage requires thorough cooking to 160°F as it carries a higher risk of foodborne illness than Italian sausage.
Buying Tips
When shopping for sausage, here are some tips to choose the best quality:
- Check the ingredients list – sausage should not have too many extras or preservatives
- Look for sausage without added water or soy protein as fillers
- Choose sausages with a balanced lean meat to fat ratio for texture and moisture
- For Italian sausage, look for visible fennel seeds and flecks of red chili
- Avoid sausage with an unnatural color or questionable odor
- Opt for sausage in natural casings if possible for better texture
Storage
To maximize freshness and shelf life, properly store sausages:
- Refrigerate raw sausage at 40°F or below
- Use ground sausage within 1-2 days of purchase
- Use Italian sausage links within 3-5 days
- Cook sausage within timeframe or freeze for later use
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or freezer bags when freezing
- Thaw in the refrigerator before using frozen sausage
Conclusion
While both delicious, ground sausage and Italian sausage have distinct differences in ingredients, texture, and uses. Ground sausage offers versatile seasoning and can be crumbled or formed into patties or links. Italian sausage gains its signature flavor from fennel and often comes in link form. Each sausage shines in certain dishes based on its preparation method and seasoning profile. Use ground sausage to add meaty flavor to casseroles or sautés, while Italian sausage is ideal in pasta sauces or for grilling. Follow proper storage methods to keep sausages fresh and flavorful.