Best Sausage/Salami Types in the World
Beja paio sausage is a smoked meat product made from pork of the Alentejo breed of pigs. Roughly 70-90% of the sausage consists of lean meat, while the remaining 10-30% is fat. The pork meat and fat are diced and mixed with water, garlic, paprika, and salt before being stuffed into sausage casings.
The smoking process lasts for several days, and is carried out at a low temperature using local oak wood. Paio has a firm consistency and a pleasant, delicate flavor that is savory and slightly spicy. Served with bread, this sausage is a traditional meal that is brought to the fields by local farmers during the harvest.
Slavonski kulen is the best-known delicacy of eastern Croatian cuisine. It is a cured sausage made from prime cuts of pork combined with carefully selected spices including red paprika and garlic. Kulen has a strong smoky flavor with the aromas of paprika and pepper.
Slavonian type of kulen must be produced using the meat of pigs that have been raised in Slavonia. Only the premium cuts of pork are used in the making of this sausage and every step of the production process is kept separated from that of all other sausages.
VARIATIONS OF Slavonski kulen
Baranjski kulen is a premium cured meat sausage made from the best cuts of pork meat combined with salt, hot and mild red paprika, and garlic. Kulen has been traditionally produced in the northeastern part of Croatia for generations and is known for its unique spicy and smoky flavor.
This type of kulen may (but need not) be produced using pork meat and fat from pigs that have been raised in Baranja. The kulen matures for at least nine months, during which it gets smoked and dried. Sometimes, to make it even more dry, kulen sausages mature covered in ashes.
Sremski kulen is a traditional type of kulen sausage originating from the Srem area. This meat product is made from pork, salt, and red hot paprika powder. The mixture is stuffed into natural pork casings and it's then smoked and dried for a few months before consumption.
Once sliced, the cross-section should have a mosaic-like appearance and mustn't fall apart. The aromas are smoky and pleasant, while the flavor is pleasantly spicy and not too salty. It's recommended to serve it sliced with slices of bread and wine on the side.
Petrovački kulen is a traditional sausage originating from Bački Petrovac, hence the name. The sausage is made from pork, and the only additions include hot paprika and salt. However, some producers still use garlic and cumin in the production process.
A whole pig is commonly used to produce Petrovački kulen, usually with a ratio of 80% meat to 20% back fat. This meat product has a strong Slovakian culinary influence because they moved to Petrovac in the late 18th century. It's recommended to serve this spicy sausage sliced and paired with homemade bread and local cheese.
'Nduja is a traditional spicy, spreadable pork sausage from Calabria, believed to originate in a small town of Spilinga. Known for its fiery flavor, creamy texture, and versatility in cooking, 'nduja originated in rural Calabria as a way for farmers to utilize less desirable cuts of pork by mixing them with a high concentration of chili peppers for preservation and flavor.
It is typically made from pork fat, meat (especially shoulder or belly), and an abundance of Calabrian chili peppers, which give it its distinctive red color and intense spiciness. The high fat content results in a soft, spreadable texture, setting it apart from traditional cured sausages.
THE BEST 'Nduja Sausages and Salamis
Ventricina is a renowned Italian cured sausage, produced in the regions of Abruzzo and Molise. There are two main, significantly different varieties of this Italian delicacy produced in Abruzzo. Ventricina del Vastese is a hard, cured sausage made with coarsely chopped lean pork, garlic, sweet and spicy pepper, black pepper, and wild fennel seeds - it is usually enjoyed thickly sliced and paired with crusty bread.
On the other hand, ventricina Teramana is a soft, spreadable variety made with fattier parts of pork, lard, garlic, rosemary, fennel seeds, peperoncini, orange zest, and salt. It is best enjoyed spread over slices of homemade bread and paired with a glass of local red wine.
VARIATIONS OF Ventricina
Csabai kolbász or Csabai vastagkolbász is a cylindrical sausage made with pork from pigs that have been fattened to a minimum weight of 135 kg. What makes this sausage unique is the manual boning method during the production, where all of the sinews are removed, thus ensuring the best quality of the meat.
The pork meat and fat are minced, then combined with paprika, garlic, caraway, and salt and filled into casings, after which the sausage is smoked, cured, and dried. It slices easily and has a hot, smoky and spicy flavor (due to the paprika and the smoke treatment).
Known as sujuk to the rest of the world, afyon sucuġu is a dry-fermented, spicy sausage, traditionally produced in Afyonkarahisar, a Turkish province nestled inland from the Aegean Sea coast. Sucuġu is a halāl-certified product consisting of ground beef that's typically flavored and seasoned with cumin, sumac, garlic, salt, pepper, red paprika, and (often) thyme.
To start your day with a proper Turkish breakfast, Afyon sucuġu should be simply fried with eggs and accompanied by a hot cup of black tea, but it can also be cooked with haricot beans or enjoyed in a Turkey-style grilled sandwich called sucuġu ekmek.
THE BEST Afyon Sucuġu Sausages and Salamis
Kulen is an authentic Croatian product made with a combination of pork, seasonings, and spices (such as salt and paprika) in pork casings. Kulenova seka, or kulen's sister, as the name suggests, is made with the same ingredients, but it is dried in a thinner casing, so it matures earlier than kulen.
It pairs well with milder cheeses and crusty bread.
Best Sausage/Salami Producers in the World
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
BEST Entrepeñas Meat Products
Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd is a producer of cured meats based in Dorset, England. The company specializes in traditional and artisan charcuterie. It uses locally sourced meats, often from free-range and rare-breed animals. The curing process includes both air-drying and smoking techniques.
Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd has received multiple awards for the quality of its products.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2022, 2021
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023, 2021
BEST Capreolus Fine Foods Meat Products
Tempus Foods is a British producer of cured meats founded by Dhruv Baker and Tom Whitaker. They specialize in traditional charcuterie techniques, offering a range of products including air-dried and cured meats. The company emphasizes the use of high-quality heritage breed pigs.
Their products are known for being made with natural ingredients and without artificial additives.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023, 2022
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021
BEST Tempus Foods Meat Products
COREN, Industrias Frigorificas del Louro S. A. is a key player in the food industry and operates from Pontevedra, Spain. The company is part of the COREN Group, which is an agricultural cooperative. COREN specializes in the production of a variety of cured meats and other meat products.
Their headquarters are located in Ourense, Galicia, but they have significant operations including Industrias Frigorificas del Louro S. A. in Pontevedra.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2022
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST Coren _ Industrias Frigorificas Del Louro S.a. Coren, S.c.g Oficinas Centrales Meat Products
AWARDS
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Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
BEST Maison Duculty Meat Products
Corndale Charcuterie is a producer based in Limavady, Northern Ireland. They specialize in creating a range of artisanal cured meats, including salami and chorizo. The company places emphasis on using high-quality local ingredients, particularly free-range pork from Northern Irish farms.
Established by Alistair Crown in 2012, Corndale Charcuterie has focused on traditional curing methods alongside innovative techniques to produce their products.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Corndale Charcuterie Meat Products
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Highland Charcuterie And Smoke House Meat Products
Peelham Farm Produce is a producer of sausages and salami. They operate with organic principles and emphasize high animal welfare standards. The farm is involved in the entire process, from rearing animals to processing and selling finished products.
They offer a variety of sausages and salamis, catering to different dietary preferences including pork, beef, and lamb options.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Peelham Farm Produce Meat Products
Señorío de Montanera is a leading producer of 100% Iberian products from acorn-fed pigs, holding the prestigious Protected Designation of Origin (D. O.P.) Dehesa de Extremadura. Founded in 1995 by a group of traditional Iberian pig breeders in Extremadura, Spain, the company is dedicated to preserving the purity of the Iberian breed and ensuring the sustainability of the dehesa ecosystem.
The company manages over 60,000 hectares of dehesa, where pigs roam freely and feed exclusively on acorns and natural pastures during the "montanera" season (from October to March). This feeding method contributes to the unique flavor and exceptional quality of their products.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023
BEST Señorío de Montanera Meat Products
AWARDS
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Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
BEST Montesierra Meat Products
Best Sausages and Salamis in the World
Nativus Spicy Venison Salami by Best of Hungary Ltd. is a gourmet product crafted from high-quality venison meat blended with a mix of spices to create a distinctively rich flavor. The salami is known for its perfect balance of spiciness and savory notes, making it an excellent choice for charcuterie boards or as an addition to various dishes.
The product is usually air-dried and cured to enhance its deep, robust flavors and ensure a satisfying texture.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
The Senorio Organic Acorn-Fed Iberico Salchichón, produced by Brindisa Ltd, is a high-quality Spanish charcuterie product. Made from the meat of acorn-fed Iberico pigs, it offers a rich and nuanced flavor profile. The salchichón is crafted using traditional methods, with a focus on maintaining organic standards throughout the production process.
This product is celebrated for its distinct marbling and delicate seasoning, making it a gourmet choice for discerning charcuterie enthusiasts.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
Dorset Soft Salami is a premium product crafted by Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd. The salami is characterized by its soft texture and the carefully selected blend of spices and herbs used in its preparation. It is made from high-quality British pork that is sourced from trusted local farms, ensuring both superior taste and ethical standards.
The production process includes a slow fermentation and air-drying technique, which enhances the flavor profile and results in a rich, savory taste.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
Capreolus Fine Foods Ltd produces a Venison and Pork Chorizo that is recognized for its high-quality ingredients and artisanal crafting methods. This chorizo is typically made from finely selected cuts of venison and pork, blended with a carefully curated mix of spices to enhance its rich, savory flavors.
The meat is likely cured and fermented to develop its unique taste and texture, staying true to traditional chorizo-making techniques. The product is ideal for use in a variety of dishes, from tapas to hearty stews, or can be enjoyed on its own as a gourmet snack.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
Corndale Chorizo Picante is a product made by Corndale Charcuterie. This chorizo has a distinctive spicy flavor profile, often attributed to the high-quality spices and ingredients used in its preparation. The chorizo is crafted using traditional methods, ensuring an authentic taste that reflects the brand's dedication to quality.
The product is typically made from locally sourced pork, which is known to be free from unnecessary additives and preservatives, reinforcing its artisanal heritage.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
Highland Charcuterie and Smoke House Ltd. produces a distinctive product called Wild Highland Venison Salami with Juniper, Smoked with Peat. This salami is crafted from wild venison sourced from the Scottish Highlands, renowned for its robust and rich flavor profile.
To enhance its unique taste, juniper berries are incorporated, adding a subtle hint of aromatic sharpness. The salami is then smoked with traditional peat, infusing it with a deep, earthy smokiness that is characteristic of Highland culinary heritage.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
Stonehouse Smokery's Red Wine, Garlic & Fennel Salami is a gourmet charcuterie item known for its rich and intricate flavor profile. This artisanal salami incorporates high-quality ingredients, such as premium cuts of pork, which are expertly seasoned with a blend of red wine, garlic, and fennel seeds.
The red wine adds a subtle sweetness and depth, while the garlic imparts a bold, aromatic essence, and the fennel seeds contribute a slightly sweet, anise-like flavor. The salami is crafted using traditional methods, including dry-curing, to enhance its texture and taste, making it a perfect addition to a charcuterie board or as a standout ingredient in various culinary applications.
AWARDS
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Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS
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Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
AWARDS
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Concours International de Lyon - Gold
2025
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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Sausages and Salamis in the World” list until February 19, 2025, 5,194 ratings were recorded, of which 3,433 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.