Is saucisson fattening? Like any fatty food, it is high in calories: about 400 to 450 kcal per 100 g. But the question is badly put, because nobody eats 100 g of saucisson in one go. An aperitif portion is 6 to 8 slices, or 25 to 30 g and 100 to 130 kcal, about the same as a handful of peanuts. Here are the figures, product by product, and what really matters.
Calories in dry-cured meats (per 100 g, indicative values)
| Product | Calories | Fat | Protein | Aperitif portion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saucisson sec | 400 to 450 kcal | 30 to 38 g | 24 to 28 g | 30 g, about 125 kcal |
| Catalan fuet | 400 to 450 kcal | 30 to 38 g | 22 to 26 g | 30 g, about 125 kcal |
| Dry-cured chorizo | 380 to 450 kcal | 30 to 36 g | 22 to 26 g | 30 g, about 120 kcal |
| Serrano / Auvergne ham | 230 to 260 kcal | 12 to 16 g | 28 to 32 g | 40 g, about 100 kcal |
| Iberian lomo | 230 to 260 kcal | 10 to 14 g | 35 to 40 g | 40 g, about 100 kcal |
Exact values are shown on each product page. They vary with the fat content of the recipe and the drying time: the drier a product, the more concentrated it is.
What really matters
- The portion. 30 g of saucisson with drinks, twice a week, will not make anyone gain weight. The problem is the whole sausage that disappears during a football match.
- The rest of the table. Crisps, crackers, bread and alcohol often weigh more than the charcuterie. A board with raw vegetables and fruit changes everything: 15 fresh aperitif ideas.
- Quality. An artisan saucisson made with 140 g of meat per 100 g of product, with no added sugar or additives, fills you up faster than a soft, sweetened industrial product. You eat less of it.
The lightest cured meats
Iberian lomo (lean pork loin) and thinly sliced dry-cured ham: half the calories of saucisson for the same weight, and plenty of protein. It is the board for athletes and high-protein diets.
What about salt?
This is the real point to watch with dry-cured meats: 3 to 5 g of salt per 100 g. At 30 to 40 g per portion it stays reasonable, but people who need to limit salt should choose ham and lomo, which are less salty than saucisson.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories in a slice of saucisson?
About 15 to 20 kcal for a 4 g slice.
Which cured meat for a diet?
Dry-cured ham and lomo: 230 to 260 kcal per 100 g, 30 g of protein.
Does artisan saucisson have fewer calories than industrial?
Not necessarily, but it contains more meat, no added sugar or additives, and is more filling. What to look for: how to recognise a genuine artisan saucisson.
How much charcuterie per person for an aperitif?
50 to 80 g across all types: quantities per person.
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