When it comes to bratwursts, Johnsonville is one of the most popular and trusted brands. However, for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, it’s important to know which Johnsonville brats are gluten-free. The good news is that Johnsonville does offer some gluten-free sausage options. Keep reading to find out which Johnsonville bratwursts are gluten-free.
Are Original Johnsonville Brats Gluten-Free?
The original Johnsonville Bratwurst sausage contains wheat as an ingredient, so it is not gluten-free. The original brats contain pork, water, corn syrup, salt, contains 2% or less of vinegar, dextrose, spices, paprika, garlic, onion, natural flavors, extractives of paprika. Since they contain wheat, the original Johnsonville brats are not suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Gluten-Free Johnsonville Brats
While the original Johnsonville brats contain wheat, Johnsonville does make some bratwurst sausages that are gluten-free. Here are the gluten-free Johnsonville brats:
- Johnsonville Stadium Style Gluten Free Chicken Apple Brat
- Johnsonville Chicken Cheddar Gluten Free Brat
- Johnsonville Italian Gluten Free Chicken Sausage
- Johnsonville Chicken, Fontina & Spinach Gluten Free Brat
- Johnsonville Chicken Feta Gluten Free Brat
- Johnsonville Hot Italian Gluten Free Chicken Sausage
These gluten-free Johnsonville chicken brats and sausages are made without any wheat, barley, rye or other gluten-containing ingredients. They are a good option for those following a gluten-free or celiac diet who want to enjoy the flavor of Johnsonville brats.
Johnsonville Stadium Style Gluten Free Chicken Apple Brat
The Johnsonville Stadium Style Gluten Free Chicken Apple Brat contains chicken, water, apple juice concentrate, brown sugar, sea salt, spices, cultured celery juice, lemon juice concentrate, vinegar, cherry powder, onion powder, garlic powder. It has a sweet and slightly tangy apple flavor that is a popular brat option.
Johnsonville Chicken Cheddar Gluten Free Brat
With flavorful chicken and cheddar cheese, the Johnsonville Chicken Cheddar Gluten Free Brat is a tasty gluten-free brat. It contains chicken, water, cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), sea salt, cultured celery juice, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, cherry powder, onion powder, garlic powder.
Johnsonville Italian Gluten Free Chicken Sausage
Johnsonville’s Italian Gluten Free Chicken Sausage features classic Italian seasoning. The ingredients are chicken, water, sea salt, spices, cultured celery juice, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, garlic powder, fennel seed, basil, oregano, rosemary.
Johnsonville Chicken, Fontina & Spinach Gluten Free Brat
With chicken, fontina cheese and spinach, this Johnsonville gluten-free brat is full of flavor. It contains chicken, water, fontina cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), spinach, sea salt, cultured celery juice, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, onion powder, garlic powder.
Johnsonville Chicken Feta Gluten Free Brat
Feta cheese gives this gluten-free Johnsonville brat a tangy kick. The Chicken Feta Gluten Free Brat contains chicken, water, feta cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), sea salt, cultured celery juice, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, cherry powder, onion powder, garlic powder.
Johnsonville Hot Italian Gluten Free Chicken Sausage
For spicy Italian flavor, the Hot Italian Gluten Free Chicken Sausage is a good choice. It contains chicken, water, sea salt, cultured celery juice, crushed red pepper, spices, vinegar, lemon juice concentrate, garlic powder, fennel seed, basil, oregano, rosemary.
Where to Buy Johnsonville Gluten-Free Sausages
You can find these gluten-free Johnsonville chicken sausages and brats in the refrigerated or frozen meat section at many major grocery stores. Some of the stores where you can buy Johnsonville gluten-free brats include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Kroger
- Publix
- Safeway
- Albertsons
- Whole Foods Market
- WinCo
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- Trader Joe’s
The gluten-free Johnsonville sausages are often sold in packs of 4-6 sausages. You can also check the freezer section for value packs with larger quantities of the gluten-free brats.
Nutrition Information for Johnsonville Gluten-Free Brats
Here is some of the nutrition information for a few of the popular gluten-free Johnsonville brat options:
| Gluten-Free Brat | Calories | Fat | Carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium Style Chicken Apple Brat (1 link) | 140 | 8g | 4g | 12g |
| Chicken Cheddar Brat (1 link) | 180 | 13g | 2g | 13g |
| Hot Italian Chicken Sausage (1 link) | 90 | 3g | 3g | 12g |
As you can see from the nutrition facts, the gluten-free Johnsonville chicken sausages are a good source of protein. The fat and carb content varies based on the specific brat. Checking the nutrition label on the package can help you compare the different options.
Cooking and Serving Johnsonville’s Gluten-Free Bratwursts
Johnsonville’s gluten-free brats can be prepared in all the same ways you would cook traditional bratwursts:
- Grilling – Grill over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes until browned and cooked through, turning frequently.
- Pan frying – Fry in a skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Broiling – Place sausages on a broiler pan and broil for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until browned.
- Braising – Simmer or bake in beer, broth or other liquid for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
- Microwave – Microwave on high for about 1-2 minutes per sausage, rotating occasionally. Cook until heated through.
The gluten-free brats can be served on buns or rolls with your favorite toppings and condiments like mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut, peppers, and onions. You can also chop them up and add them to dishes like pasta, salads, pizza, rice bowls, and more.
Are Johnsonville Breakfast Sausages Gluten-Free?
Johnsonville’s traditional breakfast sausage links and patties contain wheat flour and are not gluten-free. However, Johnsonville does make a gluten-free breakfast sausage variety. The Johnsonville Original Breakfast Pork Patties Gluten Free are made without wheat or other gluten sources.
The gluten-free Johnsonville breakfast pork patties contain pork, water, salt, dextrose, natural flavor, spices, cultured celery juice, vinegar, cherry powder, lemon juice concentrate, lactic acid starter culture.
Other Johnsonville Gluten-Free Options
In addition to the gluten-free brats and breakfast sausage, Johnsonville offers some other gluten-free sausage products:
- Chicken Sausage Patties Gluten Free
- Home Style Pork Sausage Gluten Free
- Chicken Sausage Links Gluten Free
So while the original Johnsonville brats and some other varieties contain wheat, the company provides several delicious gluten-free sausage options made with chicken or pork.
Johnsonville Gluten-Free FAQs
Are Johnsonville smoked sausage gluten free?
No, Johnsonville’s smoked sausage varieties like Summer Sausage and Smoked Brats contain wheat and are not gluten-free.
Does Johnsonville use shared equipment for gluten-free products?
Yes, according to Johnsonville their products are made on shared equipment, so there is a risk of cross-contact for people with celiac disease or severe gluten intolerances. The company cannot guarantee the gluten-free products are 100% free of gluten due to this shared equipment.
Where are Johnsonville gluten-free sausages manufactured?
Johnsonville gluten-free sausages are produced at the company’s manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin along with their other sausage products. They share some equipment and facilities.
What ingredients make the regular Johnsonville brats not gluten-free?
The original Johnsonville brats contain wheat flour as an ingredient, which contains the protein gluten. Some other Johnsonville sausages also contain wheat, barley or rye ingredients.
Other Gluten-Free Brat and Sausage Brands
In addition to the gluten-free options from Johnsonville, here are some other brands that offer gluten-free bratwursts and sausages:
- Aidells
- Applegate
- Blue Isle
- Brat Hans
- Coleman Natural
- Great Lakes Gelatin Co.
- Hebrew National
- OSCAR MAYER
- Pederson’s Natural Farms
- Teton Waters Ranch
- Wimmer’s Meats
When buying any gluten-free sausage, always read the ingredients carefully to confirm it does not contain wheat, barley, rye or other gluten sources. Look for brands that are certified gluten-free for more assurance.
Making Your Own Gluten-Free Bratwurst
You can also easily make gluten-free bratwursts at home with just a few simple ingredients:
- Ground pork, chicken, turkey, or plant-based meat
- Onions
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Gluten-free spices like mustard, caraway, nutmeg, allspice, paprika
Mix the ground meat with desired spices and ingredients, stuff the mixture into casings, twist into links, and cook as desired. Homemade lets you control exactly what goes into your gluten-free brats.
Conclusion
Those following a gluten-free diet have several tasty bratwurst options from the popular brand Johnsonville. While Johnsonville’s original brats contain wheat, the company now produces a line of gluten-free chicken and pork sausages made without wheat, rye, or barley. Other major brands also offer gluten-free brats and sausages. With more choices than ever before, celiac disease and gluten intolerance does not have to mean giving up brats and sausages.
