Breakfast Sausage vs Bacon: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Breakfast sausage and bacon differ significantly in calories and nutrition.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Emily Torres, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

Bacon is higher in protein with 35.7 g, while breakfast sausage has fewer calories at 288.

Breakfast sausage and bacon are popular breakfast meats, each with distinct nutritional profiles. Understanding their differences can help in making informed dietary choices.

What Is the Difference Between Breakfast Sausage and Bacon?

Breakfast sausage is a type of seasoned ground meat, typically made from pork, that is often served in patties or links. It is commonly enjoyed as part of a hearty breakfast. Bacon is a cured meat product made from the belly of a pig, known for its crispy texture and rich flavor. It is frequently used as a breakfast item or ingredient in various dishes.

Breakfast Sausage vs Bacon: Nutrition Side by Side

The following comparison highlights the key nutritional differences between breakfast sausage and bacon.

Nutrient (per 100 g) Breakfast sausage Bacon (cooked)
Calories 288 kcal 548 kcal
Protein 15.4 g 35.7 g
Carbs 0.9 g 1.4 g
Sugar 0.9 g 0 g
Fat 24.8 g 43.3 g
Fiber 0 g 0 g
Sodium 739 mg 2193 mg

Which Is Better, Breakfast Sausage or Bacon?

For weight loss: Breakfast sausage has 288 calories, which is significantly lower than bacon's 548 calories.

For muscle and protein: Bacon provides more protein at 35.7 g compared to breakfast sausage's 15.4 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Breakfast sausage has 0.9 g of carbs and 0.9 g of sugar, while bacon has 1.4 g of carbs and 0 g of sugar.

How to Track Breakfast sausage and Bacon Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macronutrient content when comparing different meats. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Bacon has more protein with 35.7 g, while breakfast sausage has 15.4 g.

Which has fewer calories?

Breakfast sausage has fewer calories at 288, compared to bacon's 548 calories.

What is the fat content in breakfast sausage?

Breakfast sausage contains 24.8 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium level in bacon?

Bacon has a sodium level of 2193 mg per 100 g.

How many carbs are in bacon?

Bacon contains 1.4 g of carbs per 100 g.

What is the sugar content in breakfast sausage?

Breakfast sausage has 0.9 g of sugar per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

  • Breakfast sausage has 288 calories.
  • Bacon has 548 calories.
  • Breakfast sausage contains 15.4 g of protein.
  • Bacon contains 35.7 g of protein.
  • Breakfast sausage has 24.8 g of fat.
  • Bacon has 43.3 g of fat.

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