Skin or skinless?

More and more consumers are taking a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of skinless franks and sausages vs. franks and sausages with casings.

Both skinless and natural casing products cater to different consumer preferences, adding variety to the hot dog and sausage landscape, said Evan Jex, associate brand manager for Land O’Frost.

Natural casing hot dogs stand out as a more traditional choice, known for authentic taste and a distinct “snap” with each bite, Jex said.

Skinless hot dogs, by contrast, offer a consistent texture when eaten, appealing to those who prefer a more tender bite.

And increasingly, it’s skinless that’s becoming the choice or more consumers. Three Land O’Frost brands — Wimmer’s, Fairbury and now Ambassador — feature skinless hot dogs in their portfolio.

Skinless options, Jex said, have become more popular, for at least two main reasons.

“Availability in the marketplace, coupled with evolving consumer preferences towards healthier options, has been a key factor driving the increasing popularity of skinless products.

And skinless hot dogs, as opposed to natural casing hot dogs, are far more popular with younger consumers.

According to recent research cited by Jex, nearly 65% of hot dog consumers prefer to buy “skinless only.”

Land O’ Frost’s latest addition to its skinless roster, from the Ambassador brand, rolled out earlier this year.

“With a growing demand for skinless hot dogs in the market, Ambassador recognized the need to cater to this segment of consumers who prefer a more tender bite,” Jex said. “By listening to our consumers and understanding their preferences, we have created a product that meets their needs and exceeds their expectations. Our Skinless Franks are a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation.”

The bun-length franks are made with premium cuts of pork and beef, ensuring a superior taste and texture. They’re also free from fillers or by-products.

The franks are naturally smoked with hardwood, infusing them with a rich and smoky flavor that delights hot dog aficionados, according to Ambassador.

“Whether for a backyard barbecue, a family gathering, or a quick and delicious meal, Ambassador’s Skinless Franks are the perfect choice for any occasion.”

Each Land O’Frost frank and sausage brand, Jex said, offers a variety of specialty sausages known for their unique taste and superior quality.

Some of the unique characteristics of each brand, Jex said, include:

  • Wimmer’s is the premium quality choice of hot dogs and sausages for families who enjoy authentic, old-world flavor. Products range from summer sausages smoked for 20+ hours to natural casing hot dogs.
  • Ambassador has been serving Scandinavian-style natural casing hot dogs in Minnesota since 1932. With its unique, slightly sweet flavor, these old-world hot dogs and sausages are hardwood smoked and include all-natural spices, no fillers and no artificial colors or flavors.
  • Fairbury is widely recognized in Nebraska as the hot dogs that fuel Husker Pride on game day. As the official hot dog of the University of Nebraska, Fairbury brings flavor and quality to Nebraska consumers.

Make way for “Big Fatty”

Snap-O-Razzo Hot Dogs’ latest innovation is a skinless “Big Fatty” Beefy Butcher Dog.

The dogs are maple-wood smoked, made with quality meat and stuffed in vegetable cellulose casings during smoking to create a snappy bite that can be rare for non-cased hot dogs, according to the company.

The sugar-free product has a buttery umami flavor that highlights sweetness from fresh onion and garlic. It also boasts no MSG, fillers, additives, unnatural beef flavors or gluten.

“The Beefy Butcher Dog is the only hot dog ever created where you can see fresh onion and garlic pieces,” said Chef Ralph Perrazzo, owner and creator of Snap-O-Razzo Hot Dogs. “They accentuate the natural sweetness of the beef and make these hot dogs extra floral.”

The introduction of its skinless dog coincides with Snap-O-Razzo’s brand expansion in Kroger stores in 10 states.

Along with the new Beefy Butcher Dogs, this spring Snap-O-Razzo began selling Spinner Snaps Roasted Jalapeño Wieners in Kroger, Ralph’s, Roundy’s and Mariano’s stores.

New skinless options from Koegel’s

Beginning in May, diners on the go have had new Koegel’s Meats options at Beacon & Bridge stores in Michigan. According to a story on abc12.com, Koegel’s new line of hot dogs and sausages were rolled out at 23 of the 25 Beacon & Bridge locations.

New products include:

  • Jalapeno cheddar skinless Polish dogs
  • Large quarter-pound skinless hot dogs
  • Skinless bratwurst
  • Skinless Polish dogs

This article is an excerpt from the September 2024 issue of Supermarket Perimeter. You can read the entire Skinless Franks feature and more in the digital edition here.