Hard to pronounce and even harder for more people to explain. While Braunschweiger may not be as popular in Western culture today, it’s more prevalent than you think. If you frequent the deli stand at your local grocery store, you may recognize Braunschweiger as the soft, spreadable meat typically cased and smoked.
What is braunschweiger?
Braunschweiger is the name for several types of sausages in different regions and cultures. Depending on the recipe, it can be spreadable like patè or sliced and is typically made out of sausage or beef organ meats. Originating in Germany, Braunschweiger was originally named after a town in Germany, Braunschweig.
Are braunschweiger and liverwurst the same thing?
While Braunschweiger and liverwurst are terms often used interchangeably, they aren’t exactly the same. In fact, there is one key difference between the two: Braunschweiger is typically smoked, and Liverwurst is not. While liverwurst (also known as liver sausage) is a more generic term used to describe many different types of liver-based sausages.
Liver sausage can be smooth and spreadable or more like a country pate. When it comes to how these two dishes are prepared, there is no set recipe for either one. Regardless of where you are in the world, everyone seems to prepare them a little bit differently.
How is braunschweiger made and what are the ingredients?
Historically, Braunschweiger has been made from raw minced pork or beef organ meat and spiced with garlic, salt, and pepper. However, you can make it with a number of other spices such as allspice, coriander, marjoram, mustard seed, nutmeg, thyme, and white pepper.
It’s typically ground and mixed with different proportions of meat, organ meat (including liver), a variety of seasonings, and then stuffed into a sausage casing to easily enjoy.
Is braunschweiger good for you?
U.S. Wellness Braunschweiger is made from 100% grass-fed, grass-finished minced (ground) beef, beef liver, and all-natural seasonings. It is a 60/40 mix of grass-fed beef trim and grass-fed beef liver, making it extremely nutrient-dense. U.S. Wellness Braunschweiger contains NO Soy, NO Sweeteners, NO Dairy, NO MSG, NO Additives, NO Binders, and NO preservatives.
One serving (28 grams) of Braunschweiger contains [*]:
- Calories: 57
- Carbs: 0
- Fat: 4 grams
- Protein: 5 grams
- Vitamin A: 154% Daily Value (DV)
Braunschweiger is a great source of protein and fats along with being a great source of micronutrients including niacin, pantothenic acid, iron, vitamin A, retinol, riboflavin, vitamin B12, and selenium. This food is also high in cholesterol and sodium.
Vitamin B12
Braunschweiger is a great source of vitamin B12. This vitamin is an essential mineral that our bodies require in order to stay in optimal health. Vitamin B12 plays a number of different roles throughout the body, some of those roles including red blood cell and DNA formation and helping us maintain a healthy nervous system [*].
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is the pre-formed version of retinol. While some foods may contain vitamin A, not all foods can provide the benefits of retinol. Carotenoids (compounds found in plant foods like red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and carrots) need converting to retinol inside our bodies before they can be utilized. Unfortunately, our body’s ability to convert carotenoids to retinol is rather poor, so having a source (such as Braunschweiger) to provide optimal levels of retinol and vitamin A are very important [*].
Iron and selenium
Two of the major nutrients Braunschweiger provides are iron and selenium. These two essential minerals must be obtained via diet, as our body doesn’t naturally produce them on its own. Looking at the research, iron is one of the leading nutrient deficiencies to date, causing over 1 billion cases of anemia around the world [*].
But why is iron so important? Well, it plays a key role in the proper transportation of oxygen throughout the body. It also plays an essential part in growth and development in general [*].
The macronutrients found in Braunschweiger make it an extremely low-carb and keto-friendly snack or appetizer to add to any meal. However, you may want to enjoy it in moderation as the fat content is very high.
5 ways you can prepare braunschweiger
There are several ways one can enjoy this traditional German Braunschweiger. You often see it used as a dip, spread, hash, pate, in platters, and other appetizers. Some of our top favorite ways to eat Braunschweiger include:
1. Braunschweiger dip
One of the classic ways to enjoy this nutrient-dense meat is by making a dip. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, hosting an intimate meal, or having a large group of people over for dinner, this Braunschweiger dip is the perfect dish to add to the appetizer table. But what do you need for this recipe [*]?
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) Braunschweiger
- ½ cup organic ketchup
- ⅓ cup diced onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 8 ounces of reduced-fat cream cheese
Instructions:
- Bring the Braunschweiger and cream cheese to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together.
- Due to its soft texture, a fork works fine to break up the Braunschweiger and cream cheese.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve and pair it with your favorite crackers for dipping.
2. Braunschweiger spread
Braunschweiger spread is another go-to dish to make for a variety of groups and gatherings. The ingredients for this Braunschweigher spread include [*]:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) Braunschweiger
- 8 ounces (0.24 l) cream cheese
- 3 green onions (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together in a mixer or food processor until well blended.
- Form the mixture into a ball, roll in nuts if desired, or serve with crackers of choice.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 plus hours.
3. Braunschweiger potato hash
If you’re looking for a main dish to eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this Braunschweiger Potato Hash is the perfect meal for you. With a healthy amount of Braunschweiger and potatoes, it has a great balance of carbs, fats, and protein. The ingredients include [*]:
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 4 russet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 8 ounces (0.24 l) Braunschweiger (sliced)
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Stir the potatoes into hot oil to coat, season with garlic powder and onion powder.
- Place a cover over the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are browned and tender, about 15 minutes. Drain excess oil.
- Mash the Braunschweiger into the potato mixture. Cook and stir until the Braunschweiger is hot and slightly crisp (about 5 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to serve.
4. Braunschweiger pate
Pate is typically seen as a paste or loaf consisting of some type of meat that contains liver. Common additions include vegetables, herbs, spices, and even sometimes alcohol. The ingredients for this Braunschweiger Pate include [*]:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) Braunschweiger
- 1 clove of minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ cup finely minced onion
- 8 ounces (0.24 l) of cream cheese (at room temperature)
- ¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- 1 teaspoon mayonnaise
- Parsley
- Green olives
Instructions:
- Mash the Braunschweiger in a bowl with a fork.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the Braunschweiger bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Mold into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and chill.
5. Braunschweiger charcuterie platter
What’s better than a charcuterie platter? Meat and cheese boards are the perfect platter to make whether you’re relaxing at home or hosting a large group of close family and friends. Braunschweiger makes for a great centerpiece for the ultimate charcuterie platter. What are some key ingredients for a delicious Braunschweiger Charcuterie Platter [*]?
Ingredients:
- Braunschweiger (sliced)
- Venison sausage (quartered and sliced)
- Ham and pickle roll-ups
- Mozzarella pretzel sticks
- Peanuts
- Cheese (colby jack and pepper jack)
- Olives and pickles
- Grapes and cherries
- Crackers
- Fresh herbs
Instructions:
- Arrange all the ingredients on the platter and fill as needed!
The bottom line on braunschweiger
Braunschweiger is jam-packed with a number of vitamins and minerals to provide you with a healthy micro and macronutrient profile. Along with being a healthy, keto-friendly snack, this traditional German cuisine manages to taste good. In fact, many individuals who express concern about consuming organ meat tend to enjoy this low-carb treat.
If you’re looking to try some for the first time, US Wellness Meats is the perfect place to start.
Order some grass-fed beef braunschweiger today and get hooked on this delicious high-fat dish!
Steph Lodge
Steph Lodge is a writer, competitive weightlifter and nutritional consultant with a passion for health and wellness. She is the founder of The Athlete’s Kitchen, a website dedicated to providing its audience with articles, recipes and the latest nutritional information on their favorite foods.