Sausage Review - we review sausages

Porky White's (Surrey) - Porky Lights

The kind people at Porky Whites sent us a range of their sausages so we could update our reviews. The troops here said "whoa MORE sausages!" Look I said, now come on, it's a challenge but someone has to do it...

So Porky Lights, last reviewed by us in 2017, and still look to be a popular choice for a less fat and gluten free option for those that desire such. OK what we quoted then about Slimming World and their award of a very low amount of "syn points" at the time did get a further review after analysis by them which revealed that the sausages did have significantly higher fat content than initially stated. Porky Whites do say now that these are 50% less fat compared to their regular Surrey Pork sausages. So if reduced fat content is what you require, and "syn points" of 4.5 are OK, then these may suit?

The packaging has recently been updated in a new style which we understand to be referred to as "dinner inspiration" and it also carries a novel QR code on the back which links to some interesting recipes etc., on Porky Whites own web site. This packaging says that Porky Lights are made from 75% prime cuts of lean, hand-trimmed pork, delicately seasoned and with less salt and sugar. GLUTEN FREE and free of genetically modified ingredients too.

Now the pork is described as from UK and non-UK sources, which isn't as specific as we would like to be honest given the amount of interest of such Sausage Review readers have said they would like. We'll continue to investigate this but we have read that "Almost all of the meat sourced for our products comes from within the UK with some additional supplies coming from trusted EU farms to make up any shortfall of UK supplies. We always ensure that animal welfare is a priority and over 90% of our suppliers are either RSPCA or Red Tractor accredited." (A figure of 100% should be the case really)

However what we have noticed immediately is that whereas in 2017 the Porky Lights were clad in "natural skins", nowadays the casings are that pork collagen type. You've probably read previously our views on these and the challenges we've had trying to cook such by pan frying and trying to avoid the skins splitting and in some cases going all "rubbery" and peeling off. OK yes it might not bother some, but it does bother us, and others we have spoken to.

In the raw they looked good weighing in around 67g a go and in a fairly standard size at 105mm x 30mm uncooked.

Using the recommended guidelines on the packet we pan fried (as we do all our sampling) and they cooked up OK but even being very, very careful with temperature the skins split and did peel unfortunately.  We also tried a couple in an airfryer and the same occured. Look this fact isn't a show stopper of course but the rubbery bits of skin burning in the pan and sticking to the other sausages did nothing for the overall look when dishing up. The cases need to retain the contents and keep the sausage succullent, having large gashes in the skins lets the juices/oils out. No shrinkage was noted but cooked weight loss of approx 15% cannot be ignored sorry to say. A touch more oil in the pan after cooking was noted.

The sausages did cut easily and the texture we found was once again just on the smooth side of medium.  Succulence was ok just about with nice spice and yes a lighter sausage to chew.  In a sandwich these would be a good choice, but once again if you do, go easy on the sauce and let the sausage taste do it's thing...

A word to the wise, you may get better results if you were to oven bake or casserole these rather than pan frying or airfrying. Just saying.

The bottom line and we'll have to be honest, although we'd go as far as to say these are a good everyday sausage (not that we are advocating you eat sausages EVERY day) but we don't think these are quite as good as the previous Porky Lights that were in natural skins.

Look, this is our honest opinion and of course it may differ completely from your own. If it does, we'd be pleased to hear about it.


Porky White's (Surrey) - Porky Lights  (May 2025)

Here's the sample details:
105x30mm before cooking, 105x30mm after.
67g before cooking, 57g after.
That's a shrinkage of approx 0% & weight loss of approx 15%.
6 sausages in a 400g pack retails online at Morrisons £3.50 (£8.75/kg approx).

   

 

 

 

 

 

(Feb 2017)
     

(Feb 2017)

 

www.porkywhites.com