From high-quality hot dogs and deli meats to sausages and bacon, Applegate is synonymous with quality ingredients. From day one, this brand has been on a mission to put animals first, making conscious choices to eliminate antibiotics, care for the land, and advocate for environmental practices that support a more sustainable future.

The History of Applegate

Applegate started in 1987 when founder Stephen McDonnell started wondering why hot dog ingredient labels were so complicated. After meeting Christopher Ely, McDonnell purchased Ely’s family business, Jugtown Smokehouse, known for crafting smoked meats without synthetic nitrates. Applegate’s first deli meat—with absolutely no antibiotics—became available in 1993, and new products kept growing from there. Certified Organic deli meat, grass-fed beef hot dogs, and rBGH-free cheeses continued to raise industry standards and make it easier to enjoy nutritious meat without all the questionable stuff.

Applegate Company Mission

Applegate wants to change the meat we eat. To do this, the brand focuses on sustainability and develops holistic systems that connect our own health to the health of animals and the planet. For the past 30 years, Applegate has fought against the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, invested in practices that improve soil health and reduce water contamination, and increased regenerative agriculture to heal the environment.

Benefits of Applegate

When you choose Applegate, you can enjoy a variety of benefits.

Products made without GMOs, artificial preservatives, or artificial ingredients
Sourced from farms where animals are treated with care and respect, and raised humanely without antibiotics, hormones, or growth promotants
Free of added chemical nitrites, nitrates, and phosphates

Top Applegate Products

Stock your freezer with quality meat from Applegate.

Applegate Turkey Burgers

Applegate’s four-pack is ready for the grill. These Whole30® Compatible patties are big on flavor and free from casein, dairy, gluten, and sugar. Just cook them for six minutes per side and dinner’s done.

Applegate Breakfast Sausage, Chicken and Apple

These dairy-, gluten-, and casein-free sausages are made using humanely raised chicken, tart apples, and a spice blend including parsley, tarragon, and allspice. Thrive Market member Elizabeth from New York likes the flavor and says she throws them into the oven for a few minutes before chopping them up and mixing with scrambled eggs.

Applegate Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

Here’s a crispy nugget that gets its texture from rice flour and tapioca rather than traditional breadcrumbs. They bake up in the oven in about 12 minutes, and Noel from Oregon says “the flavor and texture of the nuggets is premium.”

Easy Paleo Recipes from Thrive Market

Power up your next paleo-friendly meal with tasty recipes from our test kitchen.

60 Paleo Dinner Ideas

The gang’s all here. Mustard roast beef, lamb meatballs, and tahini chicken (plus 57 other recipes) are on the menu and ready to fuel your day.

Gluten-Free Honey Cake Recipe

Embrace your sweet tooth with a paleo spin. Our stunning honey cake is filled with warm spices like cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon, and uses a trio of tapioca, coconut, and almond flours to keep every bite gluten-free.

Meal Prep Ideas for the Paleo Diet

Get ahead on your meals with eight recipes that are primed for prepping. Raisin nut bars are the perfect weekday snack, baked sausages with roasted tomatoes make dinner a breeze, and curried chicken salad is a winner for quick lunches.

Applegate, Lightly Breaded Gluten-Free Chicken Popcorn Bites, Value Size