Is Braunschweiger Gluten-Free?
Generally speaking, Braunschweiger is gluten free. Of course, as with anything, you want to check the label and inquire with the company about ingredients that are unclear. But, almost all versions of Braunschweiger have no wheat, gluten, barley, oats or any other such thing.
About Braunschweiger
Also known as liverwurst or liver sausage, Braunschweiger comes from Germany. It’s parboiled sausage that comprises highly seasoned pork and/or beef. Processed together, they create a smooth, cold spread that often comes in a plastic-wrapped tube.
In Germany, sausages get their name from the region they come from. Therefore, Braunschweiger comes from Braunschweig, Germany. But it’s also very popular in Austria, Canada and the United States.
This is best eaten cold on snack crackers, rye bread or as part of a sandwich. In Europe, it is a snack eaten between meals such as lunch and dinner.
Ingredients
Most brands often use a combination of the following ingredients in their recipes:
- Beef
- Beef Liver
- Pork
- Pork Liver
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- White Pepper
- Honey
- Mace or Nutmeg
- Coriander
- Allspice
- Cloves
- Paprika
- Garlic
- Onion
- Dry Milk
Nutritional Information
Because different brands have varying nutritional information, you will have to check with a specific Braunschweiger to understand the full breadth of its value.
However, there are some general things all of them will have and/or contain. Some of these are healthy and others are not very beneficial, especially if eaten on a daily basis. The following information pertains to one three-ounce serving of Braunschweiger, which is the most common amount consumed at once.
- High Calories: For an average serving, the calories can be as low as 200 or as high as 325.
- High Fat Content: A typical serving contains 22 to 29 grams of total fat and 9 to 13 grams of saturated fat. This makes up about 40% of the daily recommended intake.
- High Protein: All animal meats are high in protein. But Braunschweiger has 11 to 12 grams per three-ounce serving.
- Low Carbs: 4 grams of carbs come in one serving of Braunschweiger; this is pretty consistent with most types and varieties.
- High Sodium: This is naturally high in sodium plus with the added salt, makes it have around 825 to 970 milligrams of sodium or more. That’s just for one typical serving and makes up 40% of the daily recommended intake.
- Lots of Cholesterol: This comprises 135 milligrams of cholesterol and is 45% of the recommended daily amount.
- High in Vitamin A: Braunschweiger has 225% to 240% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin A in a serving.
- High in Vitamin B Complex: Several B Vitamins comprise one three-ounce serving of Braunschweiger. It has around 80% riboflavin, nearly 25% niacin, almost 290% vitamin B12, about 15% vitamin B6, usually 10% folates and somewhere in the ballpark of 15% thiamine.
- High in Iron: Liver has long been a trusted source of iron and Braunschweiger is no exception. There’s 45% to 55% of the recommended daily intake in three ounces.