9 Most Popular Types of Wursts That You Should Try

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Jodie Chiffey

Jodie Chiffey is a blogger, and mom who loves nothing more than testing out the latest grills, gadgets, and outdoor cooking tech. As passionate about food as she is about family, Jodie loves spending time outdoors and is always the one found hovering over the grill at parties, camping trips, and local community events.

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German sausage is one of the most flavorsome meats, but how do you find the best types of Wurst to eat and cook?

If you are feeling confused about Bratwursts and Bockwursts, we have a complete guide that will help.

We are going to explain the different types of Wursts, how you can cook them properly, where to find different Wursts, and also the products you need to prepare and cook this meat correctly.

What are the Different Types of Wursts?

Wurst is the German word for sausage and like many different types of meat, such as beef, there is a lot of variety. Here are the main types of Wurst that you will find:

Bratwurst

You will probably have heard of Bratwurst before as it is one of the most common types of German sausage. Bratwurst is made from pork, beef, marjoram, caraway, garlic, and other spices, which gives it a rich flavor. This type of wurst is commonly eaten in a hard bread roll, and you will likely see it served with German mustard.

Knackwurst

Its short and stubby appearance characterizes this wurst. Knackwurst consists of beef and pork, and it offers a garlic taste. Another defining feature of this wurst is when you eat it as it makes a ‘crack’ noise, and it is often served with sauerkraut and potato salad.

Weisswurst

This wurst is pure white, so it is easily recognizable amongst the other types of sausages and is native to Southern Germany. Weisswurst is cooked from veal and pork, and it offers flavors such as ginger, white pepper, and cream. You typically boil these white sausages and eat them without the skin.

Bockwurst

This is a chunky wurst as it is fatter than many other types of German sausage. It is made from pork with flavors of salt, pepper, and paprika, and it originated from the city of Frankfurt. A popular accompaniment to Bockwurst is Bock beer, which is quite a strong and dark lager.

Frankfurter

Alongside Bratwurst, the Frankfurter is a type of wurst that you have probably heard about. It is a German hotdog made from finely ground beef and pork. Frankfurters are known for their smoky taste, and they are usually very long in length.

Nurnberger Rostbratwurst

While small in stature, these wursts make up for it in flavor as they contain pork, marjoram, cardamom, lemon powder, salt, pepper, and ginger. This is another wurst that is best eaten with sauerkraut, and as they are so small, you can easily consume a lot in one sitting.

Liverwurst

This wurst has a similar texture to pate and is made from pork and at least 30% liver. These wursts do have a little kick as their flavors, including pepper and sweet mustard, while the best way to eat Liverwurst is to spread it onto bread.

Gelbwurst

Gelbwurst is native to Bavaria and the name means ‘yellow sausage’. It is made from a combination of pork, veal, ginger, nutmeg, and other spices, and is usually served cold on a slide of bread. This Bavarian sausage is often used as lunch meat.

Blutwurst

This is blood sausage and Blutwurst is made from animal blood, fat, meat, and various spices. It is usually served with either mashed potatoes or sauerkraut, and there are many regional variations of Blutwurst throughout Germany.

The Major Differences Between Wurst and other meats

The biggest difference between Wurst and other meats is that Wurst is a general term for many different German sausages. You can find wurst made from beef, pork, veal, and other meats.

Unlike other meats such as fish, wurst is processed. This means that Wurst should be eaten in moderation as too much can lead to health problems. Like any red meat or processed foods, eating sausage in moderation is perfectly fine, and it makes up a big part of the German diet. However, ensure that you don’t overdo it and include Wurst as part of a balanced diet.

Advantages of Cooking and Eating Wurst

There are some advantages to cooking and eating Wurst and German sausages.

Range of Wurst

There are many different varieties of German sausages. We listed the most common ones above; however, there are well over 1000 types of Wurst available. Some Wurst can be found across the world, and others are much more specialized to specific areas of Germany. Each Wurst has its distinct flavor, texture, and look, so you have many options to choose from.

Rich in Protein

Wurst has a good protein level, and it is also low in carbs. If you follow a low carbohydrate diet, eating German sausages in moderation is good for your health and can also promote muscle growth.

Low in cholesterol

While the red meat found in many types of Wurst can be bad for you if you eat it excessively, Wurst itself doesn’t significantly impact your cholesterol levels.

It can contain Vitamin B

Vitamin B is an essential vitamin, and you will find it in Wurst meat. For example, Bratwurst contains Vitamin B6 and B12, and it also accounts for a significant part of your daily intake of thiamin.

You can make your own – Even though there are many types of Wurst that you can buy, it is also possible to make your own if you have the ingredients. You’ll need some special kitchen tools but check out our recommendations section below, which will help.

The Disadvantages of cooking and eating Wurst

Wurst is one of our favorite things to eat, and we love the amount of choice you get with the various available types. However, there are some downsides to overeating Wurst.

Excessive intake can cause health problems

Like most foods, eating in moderation is fine, but overeating wurst regularly can lead to health problems. This includes high cholesterol levels, and excessive eating of red meat can lead to cancer too.

Some Wursts can be hard to find

Because there are so many types of Wurst, it can be difficult to locate certain types. In addition, many versions are very localized and only available in specific areas. We have a section below on finding the best kinds of Wurst; however, it can be challenging to pick up niche wurst specialties.

Safety Tips When Cooking with Wurst

Wurst contains raw meat, so handling, preparing, cooking, and eating this type of sausage means that you need to follow particular safety advice.

Storing

Ensure that you keep Wurst separate from other items in your fridge, so the juices or the raw Wurst don’t come in contact and contaminate any other food. You can freeze Wurst, and it can be defrosted and used safely. Always check the instructions to find out how long you can safely freeze and use sausages.

Preparing

Wurst should be prepared with a separate set of kitchen items. This means using a different cutting board, knives, and other utensils, so you aren’t contaminating other food with items or cutlery that have been in contact with raw meat.

Cooking

Wurst contains raw meat, and you need to be confident that it thoroughly cooks through before you serve it to anyone or eat it yourself. The internal temperature of sausages should reach 160°F for it to be cooked properly. A recommended accessory to your kitchen is buying a meat thermometer. This can quickly tell you the internal temperature of any meat so that you know it has been cooked properly.

Best Methods to Cook Wurst

You can cook Wurst the same way that you would typically cook sausages. However, people have different techniques for cooking Wurst to their satisfaction, so here are some methods you can use to cook this type of German sausage.

Grilling

The most popular method of cooking Wurst is to cook it on a grill. Whether this is a grill in your oven or as part of your BBQ, grilling Wurst is a great way to ensure it is cooked while retaining its intense flavors.

Pan-frying

Another method of cooking the perfect Wurst is to heat some oil in a frying pan and cook the sausage that way. Like grilling, this ensures that the flavors remain intact; however, you will need to pay more attention and turn them regularly so that you get an even finish.

Poached in beer

A novel way of cooking Wurst is to poach it in beer. The traditional method of eating Wurst is with German beer as an accompaniment, so why not combine the two when cooking? Once you brown off your sausages in the pan, add in around 6 ounces of beer (depending on how many sausages you are cooking), cover it, and bring the pan to a boil. Once cooked, you can finish the Wurst off on the grill for a crispy finish.

Oven-baked

Wurst can also be easily cooked in the oven. This is a very straightforward method as all you need to do is preheat the oven to 350˚F, put the Wurst into a skillet or pan, and cook for around 20-minutes. When your German sausages have reached an internal temperature of 160 °F, they will be cooked and safe to eat.

Where to Find Different Types of Wurst

There are many different types of Wurst, and finding the type you want isn’t always easy. However, these are the main places you can explore to get the Wurst you want.

Online

Wurst is incredibly popular worldwide, which is why many German sausage websites have been set up. These online butchers and Wurst suppliers allow you to effortlessly explore hundreds of different types of sausage from the comfort of your own home. In just a few clicks, you can have authentic German Wurst sent straight to your door, and this is perhaps the best method of discovering more obscure and lesser-known types of Wurst.

Butcher

For all meat, your local butcher is usually a good place to start. They will likely have different versions of Wurst available, and you also get their knowledge on different types of meat. This knowledge can be invaluable in ensuring that you prepare and cook Wurst correctly. Even though a butcher is often more expensive than other options, the extra money is usually worth it for their knowledge of preparation and cooking.

Supermarkets

Wurst is widely available throughout the world, and your local supermarket or grocery store likely many different kinds of sausages. You probably won’t find many obscure brands here, and often it is limited to more popular Wurst such as Bratwurst or Frankfurters, but it can be a cost-effective method of buying Wurst in your local area.

Local Markets and Fairs

One other option to find German sausages is local markets and craft fairs. Even though you might pay for meat with this method, it is a good option if you want to discover different Wurst variations. Many local fairs and markets will have a range of samples available, so you can try them before you buy.

My Top Recommendations for Cooking and Eating Wurst

Wurst is such a varied cuisine, and different types of Wurst need to be cooked and eaten in different ways. However, we have listed some must-have items for your kitchen that will make cooking and eating wurst much easier.

Meat Slicer 200W Electric Deli Food Slicer with Child Lock Protection – Best Meat Slicer for Slicing Wurst

Certain types of Wurst (such as Gelbwurst) are often bought as a whole piece and need to be sliced up before eating.

The Meat Slicer 200W Electric Deli Food Slicer with Child Lock Protection is ideal for cutting up different types of Wurst, and it is a handy tool to have in your kitchen for various meats. This electric slicer does a great job at making precision cuts of meat and features a 7.5″ stainless steel serrated blade. It can be used to cut up any kind of meat from Wurst, corned beef, chicken breasts, as well as vegetables and fruit.

It is straightforward to clean, and you can remove the different parts of the slicer, while the child lock protection will keep everyone safe in the kitchen.

Powlaken Instant Read Meat Thermometer – Best Way to Check Wurst is Cooked

As Wurst is often made from meats such as pork that need to be cooked thoroughly to avoid food poisoning, the Powlaken Instant Read Meat Thermometer is essential.

This meat thermometer can take the internal temperature of any meat in seconds and is straightforward to use. This thermometer is a must-have kitchen accessory whether you are grilling, frying, or oven cooking wurst.

LEM Products 1158 Mighty Bite Electric Meat Grinder – Best Meat Grinder for Making Your Own Wurst

We have talked a lot about finding and buying different types of Wurst, but what about making your own?

With the LEM Products 1158 Mighty Bite Electric Meat Grinder, you can start to make your own sausages from scratch. It does take some getting used to, and you probably won’t master the process right away, but creating your own Wurst is highly rewarding.

This meat grinder offers 500 Watt and 1000 Watt peak power, in addition to a 120V permanently lubricated motor. You can feed big pieces of meat into this grinder due to the oversized hole, and overall it can hold up to 3lbs of meat.

Frequently Asked Questions about Types of Wursts

Conclusion: The Best Products for Cooking Different Types of Wurst

There is something unique about Wurst and not just the fact that there are over 1000 different varieties.

Wurst, when eaten in moderation, is a great choice of sausage as it is full of flavor, easy to cook, and you can even make your own. If you want to begin preparing and cooking Wurst, these are the main products you will need:

• Best Meat Slicer for Slicing Wurst – Meat Slicer 200W Electric Deli Food Slicer with Child Lock Protection
• Best way to check Wurst is cooked – Powlaken Instant Read Meat Thermometer
• Best meat grinder for making your own Wurst – LEM Products 1158 Mighty Bite Electric Meat Grinder