Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-bratwurst-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Bratwurst Vegetarian? (Sausage, Explained)

Bratwurst is a German grilled sausage, and the name is specific about what is inside: pork. The
casing can be animal-derived too. Here is how to order the plant-based version.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Bratwurst is not vegetarian: it is a pork (or veal-and-pork) sausage.
> - The casing is often animal intestine, another animal product.
> - Plant-based bratwurst is common in German supermarkets and at BBQs.
> - Look for the explicitly vegan or vegetarian bratwurst.

**TL;DR: Bratwurst is not vegetarian**: it's a German sausage made from pork (or a veal-pork
mix), seasoned and grilled. Plant-based bratwurst is widely available in German supermarkets and
restaurants.

## What's in bratwurst

- **Pork** (or pork + veal): the main ingredient.
- **Spices**: marjoram, nutmeg, caraway, ginger (vegetarian).
- **Casing**: traditionally natural (animal intestine), sometimes synthetic.

So the sausage itself is meat, and the casing is often animal-derived too.

## The vegetarian version

"Vegetarische Bratwurst" / vegan bratwurst use soy, wheat or pea protein with the same spices.
Most German BBQ stands now offer a plant-based bratwurst alongside the classic.

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** No: order the plant-based bratwurst.
- **Vegan?** The explicitly vegan bratwurst.

See our [Bratwurst dish guide](/food/germany/country-germany-bratwurst/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*