Frankfurter

A frankfurter is a cured, cooked sausage made from finely emulsified beef and/or pork in a thin casing. It has a smooth, springy bite and a lightly smoky, savory flavor, and is sold fully cooked, ready to reheat by grilling, pan searing, or simmering. Common uses include serving in a bun, slicing into stews or bean pots, or skewering for quick grilling; sizes range from standard to jumbo, with natural or collagen casings.

The style traces to German-speaking Europe—Frankfurt and Vienna—where similar sausages were popularized before spreading worldwide with immigrants. In the United States it became a staple of street carts and ballparks, with modern production relying on curing, smoking, and controlled emulsification.