It’s a perfect food for any time of the day, but for many Americans, the morning just isn’t complete without sausage.

New research commissioned by the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (NHDSC) and conducted online by The Harris Poll in September 2018 ahead of October’s National Sausage Month found that breakfast is the meal Americans say is their favorite for sausage. Overall, 89% of Americans eat sausage, and among those, nearly three in four (74%) like to eat sausage for breakfast, followed by 59% who like it for dinner. A majority of those who eat sausage (61%) like it savory, while 54% like their sausage spicy.

“Americans clearly enjoy waking up their taste buds with sausage, and with so many different choices and flavor profiles, it’s no surprise that Americans love sausage and enjoy eating it throughout the day,” NHDSC president Eric Mittenthal said. “It’s the perfect food to give any meal an extra burst of flavor and protein’s nutrition.”

Retail sales data provided by Nielsen show steady growth in both the breakfast and fresh sausage categories in recent years. In 2017, Americans bought more than 150 million lb. of breakfast sausage at retail alone, with Detroit, Mich.; Atlanta, Ga., and Chicago, Ill., leading the way as the highest-consuming cities.

Annual sausage recipe contest

As part of its celebration of National Sausage Month, NHDSC will host its fifth annual sausage recipe contest. Since breakfast sausage is so popular, sausage lovers are invited to submit their favorite recipes featuring breakfast sausage for a chance to win a gift card for their favorite sausage, a Sausage Pan and other great prices. Recipes must be able to be made in fewer than 20 minutes and should be submitted to [email protected] by Oct. 19.

The best-tasting and most creative recipe, as judged by an NHDSC team of experts, will win a $250 gift card for their favorite sausages plus a Sausage Pan, designed with deep curves specifically to cook sausages. The first runner-up will receive a $100 gift card for their favorite sausages plus a Sausage Pan. The top three choices all receive official NHDSC T-shirts and wristbands and have their recipes featured on the NHDSC All-Recipes page. Previous contest winners include Chorizo Queso Bites with Cilantro Lime Crema, Sausage with Peppers & Spices on Puff Pastry, Breakfast Sausage Casserole and Italian Sausage Variety Ring.