Impossible Sausage Made with Plants Review
Impossible Foods have been making waves in the plant-based space for years, and their products have built a reputation for replicating the flavour and texture of meat surprisingly well.
In Australia, we’ve seen the release of the Impossible Burger, Impossible Mince and even (for a brief period) the Impossible Nuggets, before shipments of the product were blocked by Australian authorities due to the inclusion of an unapproved ingredient, calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5).
While the journey for Impossible Foods has been an interesting one in Australia, there’s no denying the overall quality of their products, despite a some-what not so favourable price tags.
The Impossible Sausages are one of their newer additions to Australian supermarket shelves and can usually be found in the refrigerated plant-based section at Woolworths.
Each pack contains four sausages, typically priced at $10, although they occasionally drop to around $8.50 on special.
That price tag immediately puts them in the premium category, so the big question is: are they actually worth it at that price?
A Quick Note on the Vegan Status of Impossible Foods
Some people in the vegan community have questioned whether products from Impossible Foods align with vegan values due to the company’s early development process.
During the creation of their soy leghemoglobin ingredient (often called “heme”), the company conducted limited animal testing as part of regulatory safety approvals when bringing the ingredient to market.
Importantly, the Impossible sausages themselves do not contain any animal-derived ingredients, and the product is made entirely from plant-based components, primarily soy-based protein.
Whether individuals choose to support the brand often comes down to personal preference regarding that early testing history.
Cooking & Preparation
Impossible sausages cook very similarly to traditional meat sausages.
They brown nicely in a pan, develop a good crust on the outside, and maintain their shape throughout cooking.
One thing that stood out immediately was how well the casing holds together.
A lot of meat-free sausages cook well initially but fall apart when you slice into them. These, however, stay intact surprisingly well, which makes them much easier to use in meals or serve at a barbecue.
The texture once cooked is also very convincing - firm, juicy and clearly designed to replicate a traditional sausage experience.
Taste Test – Impossible Sausages
Flavour -
The flavour profile is genuinely impressive.
There’s a herby base flavour with a mild peppery hit, which gives them much more character than many other plant-based sausages that tend to taste quite bland.
In terms of resemblance, these sausages lean more towards a pork-style sausage flavour rather than a beef sausage.
While I haven’t eaten meat for several years now, the Impossible Sausage is one of the closest plant-based sausages I’ve had in terms of replicating the overall taste of traditional meat sausages.
Texture -
Texture is where the Impossible Sausage really shines.
They have a meaty bite and chew, and the interior remains juicy without becoming mushy.
The casing holds together extremely well both during cooking and when cutting into them, which is something many meat-free sausages struggle with.
Nutrition -
Each sausage provides around 7g of protein and is fortified with vitamin B12, which is always a welcome addition in plant-based products.
Value & Price
This is where things get tricky for the Impossible Sausage.
At $10 for a pack of four, these sausages sit at the higher end of plant-based supermarket options where options of 5 sausages can range from $5.99 (ALDI sausages) to $7.50 (Vegie Delights).
Even when discounted to around $8.50, they’re still significantly more expensive than many other vegan sausage options.
For that reason, they’re probably not the most practical choice for larger family meals, such as curried sausages or bulk cooking where you might need multiple packs.
With all of that in mind though, the Impossible Sausage still reigns supreme for a number of reasons:
Extremely convincing meat-like texture
One of the best flavoured vegan sausages available
Casing holds together well when cutting
Herby, peppery flavour profile
Final Thoughts
The Impossible Sausages are honestly one of the closest plant-based sausages I’ve tried in terms of replicating a traditional meat sausage.
The texture is excellent, the flavour is well balanced with a nice herby and peppery hit, and the casing holding together is a big advantage compared to many other vegan options.
The main downside is simply the price. At $10 for four sausages, they’re hard to justify as a regular family staple.
But if you’re looking for a high-quality vegan sausage for a BBQ or occasional meal, these are definitely worth trying, especially if you’re able to grab them when they are on special.
Definitely worth a try!