Walmart Sausage Options: Types, Brands & Buying Guide

Walmart Sausage Options: Types, Brands & Buying Guide
Walmart offers a diverse selection of sausages including Great Value (their store brand), Johnsonville, Jimmy Dean, and Eckrich. You'll typically find breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, smoked sausage, and bratwurst ranging from $2.50-$6.00 per pound. Most Walmart stores stock both fresh and frozen sausage options in the meat department or frozen foods aisle.

When shopping for sausage at Walmart, you have access to one of the most comprehensive retail selections available nationwide. The variety spans multiple categories to suit different cooking needs and dietary preferences. Understanding what's available can help you make informed choices whether you're meal planning for the week or preparing a special dish.

Major Sausage Brands Available at Walmart

Walmart carries several reputable sausage manufacturers alongside their own Great Value line. The most consistently available brands include:

  • Great Value - Walmart's store brand offering budget-friendly options
  • Johnsonville - Known for quality Italian and breakfast varieties
  • Jimmy Dean - Popular for breakfast sausage products
  • Eckrich - Offers smoked sausages and specialty varieties
  • Sabra - Carries some specialty sausage options in select stores

Availability may vary by location and season, with larger Supercenters typically offering the most extensive selection compared to Neighborhood Markets.

Types of Sausage at Walmart

Walmart organizes their sausage offerings into several distinct categories that cater to different culinary applications:

Type Common Brands Price Range (per pound) Where to Find
Breakfast Sausage Jimmy Dean, Great Value, Johnsonville $2.50-$4.50 Refrigerated meat section
Italian Sausage Johnsonville, Eckrich, Great Value $3.00-$5.50 Refrigerated meat section
Smoked Sausage Eckrich, Johnsonville, Great Value $2.75-$4.75 Refrigerated or frozen section
Bratwurst Johnsonville, Great Value $3.50-$6.00 Refrigerated meat section
Chicken/Turkey Sausage Applegate, Great Value $4.00-$6.50 Refrigerated meat section

Quality Assessment of Walmart Sausage Options

When evaluating sausage quality at Walmart, consider these factors that distinguish the various offerings:

Great Value sausages provide the most budget-friendly option while maintaining acceptable quality for everyday cooking. These store-brand products typically contain standard ingredients with no unusual additives. For shoppers seeking premium options, Johnsonville consistently receives positive feedback for flavor and texture across their product line.

Walmart's refrigerated sausage selections generally contain fewer preservatives than their frozen counterparts. If you're concerned about ingredient quality, look for options labeled "no artificial preservatives" or "minimally processed" which are increasingly available across multiple brands at Walmart.

Nutritional Considerations

Sausage nutrition varies significantly by type and brand. Traditional pork sausages typically contain 250-300 calories per 3-ounce serving with 20-25g of fat. For healthier alternatives, consider these options available at Walmart:

  • Chicken and turkey sausage varieties (reduces saturated fat content)
  • "Light" or reduced-fat options from Johnsonville and Jimmy Dean
  • Organic sausage options from Great Value and Applegate (in select stores)
  • Sausages with lower sodium content (look for "reduced sodium" labels)

Always check nutrition labels as formulations can change. Many Walmart sausages now offer protein-packed options with 15-20g of protein per serving while reducing unhealthy fats.

Seasonal and Specialty Sausage Options

Walmart frequently introduces limited-time sausage varieties that coincide with holidays and seasons. During fall and winter months, you might find:

  • Maple-flavored breakfast sausage (seasonal offering)
  • Apple chicken sausage (fall specialty)
  • Spicy Cajun varieties (Mardi Gras season)
  • Bratwurst with beer flavoring (summer grilling season)

International food aisles sometimes feature specialty sausages like kielbasa, chorizo, and andouille, though availability varies significantly by location. Larger Supercenters are more likely to carry these specialty items year-round.

How to Select the Best Sausage at Walmart

Follow these practical tips when choosing sausage at Walmart for optimal results:

  1. Check the sell-by date - Choose packages with the furthest date for maximum freshness
  2. Examine packaging - Avoid packages with excessive liquid or tears in the wrapper
  3. Consider your cooking method - Link sausages work well for grilling while bulk sausage is better for recipes
  4. Read ingredient lists - Look for minimal ingredients and avoid unnecessary fillers
  5. Check store layout - Some Walmart locations keep premium sausages in a separate refrigerated section

For the best value, watch for Walmart's rolling savings events which often include discounts on meat products. The Great Value brand typically offers the lowest price per pound while maintaining acceptable quality for most cooking applications.

Walmart Sausage Buying Guide

When planning your sausage purchase at Walmart, consider these recommendations based on common cooking needs:

  • For breakfast dishes: Jimmy Dean Original or Johnsonville Homestyle
  • For pasta dishes: Johnsonville Sweet or Hot Italian
  • For grilling: Johnsonville Brats or Eckrich Smoked Sausage
  • For healthier options: Applegate Organic Chicken Sausage or Great Value Turkey Sausage
  • For budget cooking: Great Value breakfast or Italian sausage

Most Walmart locations restock sausages early in the morning, so visiting shortly after opening increases your chances of finding the freshest selection. If you're looking for specialty varieties, larger Supercenters typically offer more options than smaller Walmart Neighborhood Markets.

Lisa Chang

Lisa Chang

A well-traveled food writer who has spent the last eight years documenting authentic spice usage in regional cuisines worldwide. Lisa's unique approach combines culinary with hands-on cooking experience, revealing how spices reflect cultural identity across different societies. Lisa excels at helping home cooks understand the cultural context of spices while providing practical techniques for authentic flavor recreation.