Johnsonville Original Bratwurst: More Real Meat Than a Hot Dog — Labelgrade C (61/100)
C 61 / 100 — Strong protein density (17.1g per 100g), notable saturated fat load, low sugar load, and high sodium per 100g.
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Johnsonville Original Bratwurst delivers 14g of protein and 260 calories per 1 GRILLED LINK, PER CONTAINER (USDA FDC 1909061). Per 100g that’s 17.1g of protein; per oz, 4.8g. The Labelgrade is C (61 / 100): Strong protein density (17.1g per 100g), notable saturated fat load, low sugar load, and high sodium per 100g.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | B | 76 / 100 | 17.1g per 100g — strong for this category |
| Ingredient quality | C+ | 67 / 100 | 9 ingredients; flagged maltodextrin or corn syrup + MSG or curing nitrites |
| Saturated fat load | D | 49 / 100 | 8g per serving (9.8g per 100g) — meaningful saturated fat load |
| Sodium load | F | 24 / 100 | 680mg per serving (235mg per oz) — high; structural for cured/preserved foods |
| Sugar load | A+ | 96 / 100 | 1g sugar; USDA omits the added-sugar line, but the ingredients list a sweetener — scored as added, not naturally-occurring |
| Fiber | F | 30 / 100 | 0g fiber, expected for animal-protein products |
| Overall | C | 61 / 100 | Weighted blend: protein 23% · ingredients 21% · saturated fat 18% · sodium 15% · sugar 15% · fiber 8% |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Per 100 g | Per oz | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnsonville Original Bratwurst (this product) | 14g | 17.1g | 4.8g | 260 |
| Ball Park Beef Franks | 12.3g | 12.3g | 3.5g | 261 |
| Jimmy Dean Premium Pork Sausage with Bacon | 13g | 23.2g | 6.6g | 240 |
| Plain cooked chicken breast (benchmark) | — | 31g | 8.8g | ~165 |
The interesting row here is the beef frank. Per link, the brat delivers 14g of protein to the franks’ 12.3g per 100g, and on a per-100g basis it pulls clearly ahead (17.1g vs 12.3g). That’s the honest case for a bratwurst over a hot dog: it’s more real meat. But notice the brat still sits at less than two-thirds of plain chicken’s protein density while carrying far more fat and sodium — so “better than a hot dog” and “a good protein source” are not the same sentence.
The brat beats the hot dog — on protein, at least
If you’re standing at the grill deciding between brats and franks, this is the one nutrition fact that actually separates them: a bratwurst is more meat. It scores a B on protein density (17.1g per 100g) where the beef frank manages only a C+ (12.3g). A brat is coarser-ground pork, not a fine emulsion padded with water and starch, and the label shows it.
That edge is real but modest. The brat also runs a little lower on saturated fat and sodium than the franks, which is why it grades a notch higher overall (C 60 vs C- 57). So if the choice is brat-or-hot-dog, the brat is the marginally better-built sausage. Just don’t let “better than a hot dog” talk you into treating it as a lean protein — it isn’t one.
Where the fat and salt put the ceiling
For all the protein credit, the label still reads like a sausage: 21g of total fat and 8g of saturated fat per link, plus 680mg of sodium. About 73% of the 260 calories come from fat. One link spends roughly 40% of a day’s saturated-fat budget and 30% of the sodium limit — and most people don’t stop at one, or skip the bun and beer that come with it.
That fat-and-salt load is the structural cap. Pork bratwurst is fat-forward by design and salted to taste and preserve, and our scoring holds that profile in the C range regardless of the decent protein. The right move isn’t to find a “healthy” brat; it’s to enjoy this one occasionally and get your everyday protein from something leaner — chicken, fish, eggs, or yogurt.
Scope
This page covers Johnsonville Original Bratwurst (26.6 oz/1.66 lbs), UPC 077782030174, as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 1909061. Johnsonville sells multiple variants in this product line — other sizes, flavors, or fat levels may have different macros and Labelgrade scores. Manufacturers periodically reformulate; always cross-reference the actual package label, especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
PORK, WATER, CORN SYRUP AND LESS THAN 2% OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, DEXTROSE, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, FLAVORINGS, BHA, PROPYL GALLATE, CITRIC ACID.
Where to buy
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Quick Facts
Per serving · 1 GRILLED LINK, PER CONTAINER
See how this fits your day — protein calculator · macro calculator
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 GRILLED LINK, PER CONTAINER) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 260 |
| Protein | 14g |
| Total Fat | 21g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Sodium | 680mg |
| Cholesterol | 59.9mg |
| Iron | 0.722mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Original Bratwurst (26.6 oz/1.66 lbs) · UPC 077782030174. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains animal-derived ingredients
contains meat, fish, or gelatin
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
How much protein is in a Johnsonville bratwurst, and is it a good protein source?
14g of protein per grilled link (USDA FDC 1909061), which works out to 17.1g per 100g. That's genuinely more than a beef hot dog (12.3g/100g) — a brat is more real meat than a frank. But at 260 calories and 21g of fat per link, it's still about 19 calories per gram of protein, versus ~5 for chicken breast. It's a respectable amount of protein attached to a lot of fat, not a lean protein source.
Is a bratwurst healthier than a hot dog?
Marginally, and only on protein. A brat edges a beef frank on protein density (17.1g vs 12.3g per 100g) and runs a bit lower on saturated fat (8g vs 10.5g per 100g) and sodium (680mg vs 842mg). Both are processed, grill-it-once-in-a-while meats. If you're choosing between the two for a cookout, the brat is the slightly better-built sausage — but neither is a health food, and both land in the C range.
Why does Johnsonville Original Bratwurst only score a C?
The protein density is actually a bright spot (a B on its own). What drags it to C (61/100) is the rest of the label: 8g of saturated fat per link (40% of a day's limit) and 680mg of sodium (30% of the limit), plus an ingredient list with corn syrup, MSG, and the preservatives BHA and propyl gallate. Pork sausage is fat-forward and salty by design, and our scoring caps that profile in the C range.
What are BHA and propyl gallate doing in the ingredients?
Both are antioxidant preservatives that keep the fat in the sausage from going rancid on the shelf. They're FDA-permitted at the small levels used here. They're not a reason to panic, but they are part of why this reads as a processed product rather than a butcher-case sausage — and that's reflected in the C+ ingredient-quality score.
How much sodium and saturated fat are in one link?
Per grilled link: 8g saturated fat and 680mg sodium. That's roughly 40% of the FDA's 20g saturated-fat ceiling and 30% of the 2,300mg sodium limit — from a single sausage, before a bun or any sides. Worth knowing if you're eating two.
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-05, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 1909061. We re-verify top-traffic pages monthly and update within 7 days when a manufacturer reformulates.