Old Wisconsin Summer Sausage – Portable Camping Snack, Ready-to-Eat High Protein Meat for Trails and Road Trips
Old Wisconsin Summer Sausage – Portable Camping Snack, Ready-to-Eat High Protein Meat for Trails and Road Trips
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Why you'll love it
- Zero carbs and 11g protein make it ideal for keto, low-carb, and high-protein diets without sacrificing flavor
- Shelf-stable and ready-to-eat format removes prep and refrigeration friction for travel or work
- Premium all-meat recipe with no binders, fillers, or extenders appeals to clean-label shoppers
- Hardwood-smoked flavor and 50+ year Wisconsin German sausage-making heritage convey authentic craft quality
- Gluten-free with no MSG added accommodates common dietary restrictions and sensitivities
- Flexible pack sizing (8 oz single, 1 lb single, 8 oz x12, 1 lb x12) supports both trial purchases and bulk value buying
- Tastes as good as brands that cost twice as much
- Great shelf life if kept in the fridge, never goes moldy
- Stays good for a long time even after opening
- Doesn't need to be refrigerated until opened
- Outer skin comes off cleanly and cuts to a nice size
- Less expensive than other favorite brands but tastes just as good
- Light, delicate spice blend — not heavy
- Not too much fat / no greasy coating in the mouth
- Easy to cut or slice, not tough to chew
- Smoky flavor with good meat texture
- Appreciated by multiple generations (kids, grandkids, spouse) in one household
Perfect for
- Charcuterie board centerpiece for holidays, birthdays, and barbecues
- Shelf-stable trail and camping snack that requires no refrigeration
- Quick high-protein on-the-go lunch or workday snack
- Keto-compliant snack with zero carbs to support macro goals
- Bulk provisioning via the 12-pack for offices, events, or multi-week household supply
- As a charcuterie board component
- As a pizza topping
- Eaten with cheddar cheese and crackers
- Eaten cold, sliced thin
- Heated up in the microwave
- Hidden in the fridge as a personal snack (not shared with family)
- In sandwiches
Old Wisconsin Premium Summer Sausage, Original Flavor
Don’t let the name fool you – Old Wisconsin Original Summer Sausage is delicious all year long! Because you don’t need to refrigerate it until it’s opened, you can enjoy our sausage anywhere. It pairs perfectly with other snacks, as an addition to many of your favorite recipes or as a treat by itself.
Every one of our sausages is crafted in Sheboygan and remains true to German sausage-making tradition. Made with the finest cuts of meat, the perfect blend of spices and slowly smoked over a hardwood fire, it’s been a favorite since 1942. Naturally gluten-free and with no MSG added, we’re proud to share our sausage with your entire family.
Product Information
ORIGINAL SUMMER SAUSAGE: OLD WISCONSIN Original Summer Sausages are made from the finest ingredients and is delicious all year long. Shelf stable and ready to eat
HIGH PROTEIN: Enjoy this 16 ounce OLD WISCONSIN Original Summer Sausage as a high protein snack, as part of an on-the-go lunch or dinner or serve at holidays, birthdays, barbecues and get-togethers
LOW CARB SNACK: OLD WISCONSIN summer sausages are made in the USA and are an ideal keto snack food with zero carbs
PREMIUM ORIGINAL QUALITY: Made with all meat — no binders, fillers or extenders — and is gluten free with no MSG added
NATURALLY HARDWOOD SMOKED: The unique, savory taste of OLD WISCONSIN summer sausages comes from a special blend of spices and smoked over real hardwood fires until it reaches perfection
Don't let the name fool you, OLD WISCONSIN Original Summer Sausage is delicious all year long. Carefully smoked and made with the finest ingredients, our sausage makes a great snack or addition to many of your favorite recipes!
Over 50 years ago, OLD WISCONSIN began more than a sausage company—we created a legacy that led to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, being known as the "Bratwurst Capital of the World." Sheboygan has always had a proud German heritage—people with a strong work ethic and a history of excellent sausage. OLD WISCONSIN is built on this foundation, and it can still be tasted today in our quality and slow, hand crafted approach to sausage making.
Ingredients
Beef and Pork, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Lactic Acid Starter Culture, Monosodium Glutamate, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Nitrite.
Items Details
Cuisine: German,Usa
Specialty: Gluten Free,High Protein,Low Carb
Protein: 11 g, 9 g
Allergen Information: Gluten Free
Biological Source: Cow, Turkey
Item Form: Stick
Part Number: 1125
Diet Type: Gluten Free
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this summer sausage need to be kept cold during a day hike or picnic?
No. Old Wisconsin Summer Sausage is fully shelf-stable before opening, so it holds up in a backpack, cooler, or day pack without ice packs. Once you slice into it, return the remainder to the fridge to preserve freshness.
Is this a good protein source for multi-day camping trips?
Yes. With 11g of protein per serving and zero carbs, it is a reliable shelf-stable protein for backcountry meals, road trip coolers, and base camp lunches where fresh meat is hard to keep.
Will the sausage stay edible in hot car temperatures during summer travel?
Unopened, the sausage is shelf-stable and tolerates warm travel conditions. Once opened, refrigerate promptly. Many travelers keep the whole stick sealed until they are ready to slice.
How portable is the 16 oz stick format for backpackers?
The 16 oz stick is a slim, dense log that slides into a pack, cooler, or lunch tote. The outer casing peels cleanly so you can slice portions in camp without a knife struggle.
Can I use this as the protein on a trail-style charcuterie spread at a campsite?
Absolutely. Many campers pair it with hard cheese, nuts, and crackers for an outdoor board. The hardwood-smoked flavor holds up in open-air settings where milder meats can taste flat.
Is this sausage a smart addition to a road trip cooler for a family?
Yes. It is ready to eat, kid friendly, and does not require ice until opened. Families use it for car lunches, hotel-room snacks, and roadside pit stops.
Will the flavor and texture hold up after hours in a backpack?
The hardwood-smoked seasoning and dense meat texture are designed for stable storage. Slices stay firm and flavorful even after a long day on the trail.
Can I take this sausage on a flight as a carry-on snack?
Yes. Solid shelf-stable meats like summer sausage are generally permitted through TSA checkpoints. It is a favorite for travelers who want a high-protein option past security.
How does this compare to jerky as a hiking snack?
Summer sausage offers a richer, smokier flavor and a softer slice, while jerky is chewier and saltier. If you want a more substantial bite that feels like a meal on the trail, the sausage is a stronger pick.
Is this better than a refrigerated deli meat for camping?
For camping, yes. Deli meats require constant refrigeration and spoil quickly, while Old Wisconsin Summer Sausage stays safe in the pack and travels light.
Does the hardwood smoke flavor get lost when eaten outdoors?
No. The natural wood-fire smoke actually complements outdoor settings, pairing well with camp coffee, cheese, and crackers in fresh air.
Will the casing burst in warm weather or under pack pressure?
The casing is durable and tightly sealed, and the sausage is shelf-stable in unopened form. It holds its shape through normal pack and cooler conditions.
Is the 1 lb stick too large for a solo backpacker?
Many solo hikers prefer the 8 oz stick for shorter trips or the 8 oz 12-pack for multi-day provisioning. The 1 lb stick works well for two-person or group trips.
Can I rely on this as my main protein for a week-long trip?
For a week-long trip, the 12-pack variants are designed exactly for that. Pair with nuts, cheese, and hardtack for a balanced, high-protein backcountry menu.
Does the sausage require any cooking at the campsite?
No cooking is required. It is ready to eat straight from the package, which is why campers and travelers choose it over meats that need a skillet or fire.
Is this safe to leave in a hot tent or car overnight?
Unopened, the sausage is shelf-stable and safe in ambient conditions. Once opened, refrigerate or consume within a reasonable window to keep quality high.
How do I serve Old Wisconsin Summer Sausage?
The most popular ways are sliced thin on a charcuterie board, paired with cheddar cheese and crackers, layered into a sandwich, or chopped as a pizza topping. It can be eaten cold, right out of the package, or briefly warmed in the microwave.
Do I need to refrigerate the sausage before opening?
No. The sausage is fully shelf-stable and does not need refrigeration until the package is opened. Once opened, keep it refrigerated to preserve freshness.
How long does it last after opening?
Customers consistently report excellent shelf life in the refrigerator after opening, often lasting weeks without mold or off flavors, especially when kept tightly wrapped.
Does this pair with other foods or ingredients?
Yes. It is designed to be flexible. It pairs naturally with cheddar and other hard cheeses, crackers, mustards, olives, dried fruit, and pickles on a board, and works in sandwiches, salads, and pizza.
Can I microwave or heat the sausage?
Yes. Many customers warm slices briefly in the microwave, though it is also commonly enjoyed cold. Heating can soften the texture and release more of the smoke aroma.
What sizes and pack counts are available?
Old Wisconsin Summer Sausage is available in 8 oz single, 1 lb single, 8 oz 12-pack, and 1 lb 12-pack. The singles are great for trying the product, while the 12-packs offer bulk value for offices, events, and multi-week household supply.
What is in the package when it arrives?
Each order ships with the summer sausage stick(s) in vacuum-sealed, shelf-stable packaging. No additional accessories or extras are required to enjoy it.
Is this product safe for people with common dietary restrictions?
It is gluten free, contains no MSG, and is keto friendly with zero carbs. It is made from 100% natural beef and pork with no binders, fillers, or extenders, which suits most clean-label and low-carb shoppers.
Will the flavor or texture change over the shelf life?
The flavor and texture hold up very well. Because it is shelf-stable and hardwood smoked, it maintains its savory, smoky character for an extended period, and customers note that opened sticks continue to taste fresh in the fridge for weeks.
What is the difference between summer sausage and salami?
Summer sausage is a shelf-stable, smoked sausage typically made from beef and pork and fermented or cooked to be safe at room temperature until opened, while salami is usually a cured, air-dried fermented sausage with a different texture and flavor. Summer sausage is also commonly milder and more smoke-forward, making it a friendlier crowd-pleaser for boards and snacking.
