Liver Sausage, Liverwurst and Braunschweiger: What's the Difference?

Liver sausage, liverwurst, Leberwurst, Braunschweiger — four names that get used almost interchangeably at the deli counter. They overlap a lot, but they aren't quite the same thing, and the differences are worth knowing before you buy.

Liver sausage and liverwurst are the same idea

Leberwurst is simply German for "liver sausage," and liverwurst is the Americanized form of that word. All three describe a sausage built on liver, usually pork, blended with meat, fat and seasoning. Like most traditional foods, there's no single recipe. Every family and every maker does it a little differently, and you can still tell what it is the moment you taste it.

Braunschweiger is a style with a hometown

Braunschweiger takes its name from Braunschweig, a city in northern Germany. In the United States the name usually means a liver sausage that is smoked and very finely ground — smooth enough to spread with a knife. So every Braunschweiger is a liver sausage, but not every liver sausage is a Braunschweiger.

Smooth or rustic: the texture is the real difference

Liver sausages range from smooth and spreadable to coarser, country-pâté styles you slice. Which one you want depends on how you plan to serve it. A smooth spread goes on crackers; a rustic slice holds its shape on a sandwich or a board.

Opa's German Brand Liverwurst

Opa's German Brand Liverwurst is made by Opa's in Fredericksburg, Texas, in the rustic, country-pâté style — more pâté than spread. It slices cleanly and has a rich, savory flavor. It's fully cooked and gluten free.

How to serve it

• Cold: slice it or spread it on dark rye or crackers with a good mustard, cornichons or pickled onion.
• Warm: slice it and brown it in a skillet, then serve it with eggs or on toast.
• On a board: pair it with Opa's German Brand Head Cheese, summer sausage and a sharp cheese.

Where to get it

Opa's German Brand Liverwurst ships cold from opassmokedmeats.com and is in the case at the Opa's Smoked Meats Deli & Market in Fredericksburg. For anyone who likes liver, there's nothing quite like a good liver sausage.

Frequently asked questions

Is liverwurst the same as Braunschweiger?
Close, but not always. Liverwurst is the general name for liver sausage; Braunschweiger is a style named for Braunschweig, Germany, usually smoked and smooth enough to spread.

Is Opa's liverwurst smooth or coarse?
Rustic, country-pâté style — it slices rather than spreads.

Is Opa's liverwurst fully cooked?
Yes. Serve it cold, or slice it and brown it in a skillet.

Is it gluten free?
Yes. Every meat product Opa's makes is gluten free.