Sausages aren’t just for breakfast, they’re for life.
Veggie? Vegan? Just trying to cut down on your meat consumption like everybody else in the country?
Whatever your suss, chances are you wouldn’t pass up on the chance for a decent meat-free sausage.
They are, after all, incredibly tasty. Just like the meat-filled sausages of yore.
A few years back, us veggies and vegans were lowkey stifled when it came to choosing a meat-free sausage in the supermarket.
Now though, they’re everywhere – made from soya, mushrooms, peppers, and whatever else can be mixed with a load of delicious spices and moulded into a tube-like shape.
And yet, as with most things in this world, the meat-free sausage can be very hit and miss.
Some of them are incredible. Some of them are so-so. And others are so divinely disappointing that you’ll be left wishing that you had never bothered to pick up a 40 pack in your local the other day.
Here are some, however, that absolutely are worth a shout.
1. Cauldron Vegetarian Cumberland Sausages
Here come the boys – the best boys.
If you indulge in one sausage product from this list, let it be Cauldron.
Large, succulent, herby, and just a little bit spicy, these meat-free sausages are chronically underrated when it comes to the veggie and vegan fry up sphere.
Close to the real thing without being worryingly so, these sausages are absolutely the best lads (imo) when it comes to supermarket meat substitutes.
Get on them, ASAP.
Overall ranking: 10/10
2. Dunnes Stores Mushroom and Caramelised Onion Sausages
A few bougie lads here, but absolutely worth it if you feel like treating yourself.
This Dunnes take on the meat-free sausage isn’t a classic one at all, but they are tasty lads that will give your veggie fry up a little something different.
The products themselves have got an impressive sausage-like consistency but without the soya-like taste that can often dominate meat-free treats.
Can be a bit dry though, if overcooked.
Overall ranking: 6/10
3. Dee’s Roast Garlic and Mushroom Vegan Sausages
I see your bougie and raise you even bougier in the form of this six pack of lads.
Made from – you guessed it – roasted garlic, porcini mushroom, and pea protein, these meat-free sausages have the capacity to take your breakfast from so-so to oh-no (I have eaten so much, because they were so delicious, etc).
They lose points only for their slightly crunchy casing, which hey, could easily be a winner depending on who you ask.
Overall ranking: 7/10
4. Denny Meat Free Sausages
One of the latest players to the meatless sausage game, Denny’s Meat Free sausages are a simple yet satisfying take on the classic breakfast tube.
Significantly tastier when fried rather than grilled, the sausages are made from soya, wheat protein, and a load of spices. They’ll smell just like the real thing when you’re cooking them, and taste less like it when you’re actually eating them.
But they come in an 8 pack, so bonus points there.
Overall ranking: 6/10
5. Eden Vegan Sausages
As the veggies and vegans among us will know, Eden is a brand that has very much been leading the charge when it comes to meat-free bites.
Their plant based range is pretty much available in most supermarkets, with their vegan sausages very much being the star of the show.
Akin to the above, they’re a simple enough no-frills shout – a tasty sausage that isn’t pretending to be anything else. Other than delicious.
Over ranking: 7/10
6. Linda McCartney Vegetarian Sausages
An instant favourite of any veggie, Linda McCartney’s deliciousness has been a staple of the meat-free landscape for years.
Every single product in the range is impeccable. Every single bite worth savouring.
The Linda McCartney Vegetarian Sausages (also suitable for vegans) are no different, providing a meat-free taste that’s similar enough, but not overpowering in terms of its likeness to the real thing.
Eat all six. You won’t regret it.
Overall ranking 9/10
7. Linda McCartney’s Vegetarian Red Onion and Rosemary Sausages
Same as above really, except they’ve got that extra kick of herb and veg to add a little spice to your sausage-based life.
Not a whole lot of difference apart from the rosemary addition – an herb that many among us may not be all that fond of, yet a decent inclusion all the same.
Overall ranking: 8/10
