Stuffed sausages are a great addition to any backyard barbecue or grill hang. They’re a spectacle as they blister and bubble on the grill, oozing with delicious cheese. They fill the open air with the aromas of meat, herbs, and spice. It’s quite the advancement in sausage science.
For this taste test, we were joined by Mythical supervising producer Chase Hilt. Here’s what we looked for in a good stuffed sausage: Firstly, we wanted an abundance of cheese. If you’re claiming to be a stuffed sausage, don’t get cheap on the cheese. This is supposed to be stuffed, after all. Secondly, the quality of the sausage doesn’t have to be excellent, but it should have some snap and flavor. Spices, herbs, and heat are all welcome. Stuffed sausage is all about taking something simple and adding to it.
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- Bar-S Cheddar Hot Links
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I’m a big fan of these Bar-S Cheddar Hot Links. These sausages have the best casing on the list, with a snap that’s thoroughly enjoyable. These also come stuffed with funky, sharp cheddar cheese. Bar-S didn’t skimp here. The dog itself is plump and juicy, and it has a dark, rich color (thanks to the addition of annatto and paprika) that signals this link will indeed be hot. There really is quite a kick. To me, this is everything a stuffed sausage should be—cheesy, snappy, and spicy.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart
- Bilinski’s Fully Cooked Caprese Style Chicken Sausage with Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella
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I really like the subtle basil and tomato flavor here, and although the mozzarella isn’t exactly abundant, there is an adequate amount of milky cheese nonetheless. The flavor these sausages pack is their biggest selling point—potently sweet and tart, with strong sun-dried tomato vibes. This would make a killer Italian sausage sandwich (one of my favorite things in the world). Stuff one of these bad boys in a bun and top it with some marinara (may I suggest Rao’s?), sautéed peppers and onions, and a big helping of low-moisture shredded mozzarella cheese. Then toast it in the oven for a banger of a banger. Capeesh?
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Aidells Portobello & Swiss Cheese Smoked Chicken Sausage
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I love the addition of mushrooms to anything, as it only ups the umami factor even more. This smoked chicken sausage is incredibly juicy and the mushroom flavor really shines through, giving the whole thing a deeply earthy, meaty taste. Chicken sausage can often taste monotonous and bland, but the mushroom here adds a pronounced flavor. The Swiss cheese is present, if not a bit too subtle. Still, this is a quality dog without the use of beef or pork. The alchemy of ingredients just works.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- The Butcher Shop Smoked Double Cheddar Pork Sausage
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Reasonably priced for a Sprouts product, these dogs deliver, dawg. These sausages are fatty and greasy like good kielbasa, and they positively ooze with delicious white and yellow cheddar cheese. Overall, these remind me of Polish brats, so I would pair them with some peppers and onions and a good brown mustard. These are really fatty, and could use some help from a tart and acidic condiment.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Hillshire Farm Cheddarwurst Wisconsin Cheese Smoked Sausage
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These are the cheesiest and gooiest sausages of them all, and that earned them a place on this list. Advertising Wisconsin Cheddar on the package feels a tad misleading, however, since the cheese flavor wasn’t anything special. Chase cracked me up, stating that men buy stuffed sausages because they’re the “2-in-1 shampoo product” of the meat world. Accurate as can be. Hillshire nails the spirit of a stuffed sausage, and doesn’t go light on the cheese, but I’d like the product to be slightly better quality.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
- Parkview Jalapeño & Cheddar Smoked Sausage
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“I would love this if I were high as hell,” was the note that I made during this portion of the taste test. That’s because I think this is a low quality product that shines because it is so underwhelming. The cheese itself tastes processed and fake, almost like a Tostitos queso. But, hey, there’s nothing wrong with a Tostitos queso, and if I were inebriated in some way, I would think this was the best thing I ever tasted in my life. Chase thinks this Aldi brand stuffed sausage would make the best hot dog, and I agree. Don’t get too fancy with these. Shove em’ in a bun and put on your topping of choice. It’s a hot dog. You aren’t supposed to overthink it.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
Best of the Best
Best for a Sandwich
Best Chicken
Best Quality Meat
Best Gooey
Best Hot Dog
Other Products we tried: Johnsonville Cheddar, Johnsonville Cheddar Jalapeño, Aidells Chicken Sausage with Roasted Garlic and Gruyere, Howe’s Bavarian Cheddar Bratwurst, Gilbert’s Caprese Chicken Sausage, Kirkwood Turkey Cheddar Sausage.
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I just subscribed to Sporked but I am a little disappointed. My own fault. I should have guessed. You are American and your tastings will be on primarily American brands. I guess I didn’t realize how many U.S brands are not available in my area of Southwest Ontario Canada.
My issue with these is that you eat them and then boom, its like toaster streudel right out of the toaster you burn the ever living out of your tongue haha