Avoid This Bland Whole Foods Sausage That'll Ruin Your Barbecue's Flavorful Vibe

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Whole Foods stocks some quality items for meat lovers, so when our writer compiled a list of which items to buy and which ones to avoid, it was surprising to see that Whole Foods' Mild Italian Pork Sausage landed on the list. It wasn't that the meat was poor in quality, but that the expected flavor failed to hit the mark. "Mild" in the name might have been the first tip-off. Italian sausage is known for a combination of flavors, but Whole Foods' version seems to remove these more flavorful elements. When sold at Whole Foods prices, this underwhelming piece of pork sausage is one to miss.

The texture of the sausage holds, but the lack of seasoning means each bite of flavorless sausage fails to back up the anticipation of what this could be. Our writer noted that a grill might coax more flavor out of the link than an air fryer, but even then, better options exist elsewhere in Whole Foods' butcher's section. Some shoppers appear more satisfied with Whole Foods' packaged mild Italian pork sausage meat instead of the premade links, particularly when used in soups and pasta recipes. "Very good, very fresh after it was thawed," wrote one shopper on Amazon. "Started adding this to my ground beef or ground turkey sauces to give it a little more protein and flavor. The quality of the meat is very good and has a good flavor as well," added another. 

Other shoppers explain that Whole Foods makes sausages in-house, and many are satisfied with what they pick up from the butcher. One customer preferred other types of sausage, such as chorizo. These alternatives may offer the stronger seasoning and spice blend that our writer felt was missing from the mild Italian links. 

If you have already carted Whole Foods' mild Italian sausage links home, there are plenty of recipes that you can make to put your purchase to good use. A mild-tasting piece of meat can work to your advantage if you're planning a spicier meal, and you can consider the sausage something like a blank canvas for an assortment of spices and herbs of your choosing. Some customers beef up milder pork sausage with spices and red pepper flakes. Alternatively, try marinating sliced pieces in a bath of olive oil, fennel seed, red pepper flakes, and garlic before grilling. Adding caramelized onions or finishing plates with fresh herbs and parmesan can add flavor that the links may lack on their own. This could also be the ideal moment to perfect your own Italian seasoning blend before you get ready to grill crispy sausages for this weekend's cookout.