Sausage vs. Frankfurter — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
A sausage is a meat product made from ground meat, often mixed with seasonings, and encased in a skin, while a frankfurter is a specific type of sausage, usually made of beef or pork, and commonly eaten in a bun.
Difference Between Sausage and Frankfurter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A sausage represents a broad category of meat products that can vary based on ingredients, preparation methods, and regional variations. For example, you might encounter Italian sausages, bratwursts, or chorizo, each with unique ingredients and flavor profiles. In contrast, a frankfurter, sometimes called a "hot dog" or "wiener" in the U.S., is a more specific type of sausage, with a more uniform shape and flavor.
Sausages can be made from a variety of meats, including pork, beef, chicken, or even fish, and they can be fresh, smoked, dried, or cooked. The ingredients and methods of preparation can vary widely based on cultural or regional differences. Frankfurters, on the other hand, tend to be made predominantly from beef or pork, and they are usually smoked or cooked before being sold.
The term "sausage" can encompass a multitude of textures and flavors. They can be spicy, sweet, or savory, and the meat can be finely or coarsely ground. A frankfurter usually offers a smoother texture due to its finely ground meat and has a distinct, often milder flavor.
While both sausages and frankfurters can be grilled, boiled, or fried, the latter is most commonly associated with being placed in a bun and topped with various condiments. This iconic style of serving, especially popular in the U.S., distinguishes frankfurters from many other types of sausages.
Sausages have been enjoyed by cultures around the world for centuries and have become integral to many national cuisines. Frankfurters, though a type of sausage, have carved their own niche, especially in American culture, where they're celebrated as a classic food at ball games and summer barbecues.
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Comparison Chart
Variety
Broad category with many types and flavors
Specific type with a more uniform flavor
Ingredients
Can be made from various meats
Typically made from beef or pork
Texture
Can vary from coarse to fine
Generally smooth due to finely ground meat
Serving Style
Served in various ways, depending on type and culture
Commonly served in a bun with condiments
Cultural Association
Integral to many national cuisines worldwide
Strongly associated with American culture, especially as "hot dogs"
Compare with Definitions
Sausage
A food item made from minced meat formed into a cylindrical shape.
We grilled some sausages for dinner tonight.
Frankfurter
Often referred to as a "hot dog" or "wiener" in the U.S.
He ate three frankfurters during the baseball game.
Sausage
A meat product made from ground meat encased in skin.
The butcher sells a variety of sausages from different countries.
Frankfurter
A smoked or cooked sausage typically made from beef or pork.
I'll have a frankfurter with mustard and onions, please.
Sausage
A product that can be fresh, dried, smoked, or cooked.
The smoked sausage had a deep, rich flavor.
Frankfurter
A food item with a distinct, often mild flavor.
The frankfurter was juicy and perfectly cooked.
Sausage
A term encompassing many regional variations and recipes.
The Italian sausage had fennel seeds, giving it a unique taste.
Frankfurter
A type of sausage commonly eaten in a bun.
The frankfurter stand at the fair was very popular.
Sausage
A seasoned mixture, often containing herbs and spices.
The sausage filling was delicious and spicy.
Frankfurter
A cylindrical meat product with a smooth texture.
The frankfurter's smooth texture contrasts with the coarser sausages.
Sausage
A sausage is a type of meat product usually made from ground meat, often pork, beef, or poultry, along with salt, spices and other flavourings. Other ingredients such as grains or breadcrumbs may be included as fillers or extenders.
Frankfurter
A smoked sausage of beef or beef and pork made in long reddish links.
Sausage
An item of food in the form of a cylindrical length of minced pork or other meat encased in a skin, typically sold raw to be grilled or fried before eating.
Frankfurter
A moist sausage of soft, even texture and flavor, often made from mechanically recovered meat or meat slurry.
Sausage
Used as an affectionate form of address, especially to a child
‘Silly sausage,’ he teased
Frankfurter
A smooth-textured sausage of minced beef or pork usually smoked; often served on a bread roll
Sausage
Finely chopped and seasoned meat, especially pork, usually stuffed into a prepared animal intestine or other casing and cooked or cured.
Sausage
A small cylinder-shaped serving of this meat.
Sausage
A food made of ground meat (or meat substitute) and seasoning, packed in a section of the animal's intestine, or in a similarly cylindrical shaped synthetic casing; a length of this food.
Sausage
A sausage-shaped thing.
Sausage
Penis.
Sausage
(informal) A term of endearment.
My little sausage
Sausage
A saucisse.
Sausage
(engineering) To form a sausage-like shape, with a non-uniform cross section.
Sausage
An article of food consisting of meat (esp. pork) minced and highly seasoned, and inclosed in a cylindrical case or skin usually made of the prepared intestine of some animal.
Sausage
A saucisson. See Saucisson.
Sausage
Highly seasoned minced meat stuffed in casings
Sausage
A small nonrigid airship used for observation or as a barrage balloon
Common Curiosities
What is the primary distinction between a sausage and a frankfurter?
A sausage is a broad category of meat products, while a frankfurter is a specific type of sausage.
Are sausages always spicy?
No, sausages can be spicy, sweet, or savory, depending on their ingredients.
What meats are typically used in frankfurters?
Frankfurters are typically made from beef or pork.
Can a frankfurter be considered a sausage?
Yes, a frankfurter is a specific type of sausage.
Which is spicier, a sausage or a frankfurter?
It depends on the type of sausage, but frankfurters generally have a milder flavor.
Can sausages be vegetarian?
Yes, there are vegetarian and vegan sausages made from plant-based ingredients.
Why are frankfurters commonly called "hot dogs" in the U.S.?
The term "hot dog" became popular in the U.S., possibly from street vendors selling frankfurters in buns.
Are all sausages encased in skin?
While many sausages are encased in skin, some, like patties, are not.
Is the term "wiener" synonymous with frankfurter?
Yes, in the U.S., "wiener" and "frankfurter" are often used interchangeably.
Can you find frankfurters outside of the U.S.?
Yes, frankfurters are enjoyed worldwide, though they might have regional variations.
Do sausages have a standard size?
No, sausages can vary in size, from small breakfast links to larger bratwursts.
Are frankfurters always served in a bun?
While commonly served in a bun, especially in the U.S., frankfurters can also be eaten without one.
What's the origin of the name "frankfurter"?
The name originates from Frankfurt, Germany, where this type of sausage was produced.
Can sausages be eaten raw?
Some sausages, like salami, are safe to eat without cooking, but many require cooking first.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
