Various portions of pork fat in Harbin sausage were replaced by a camellia oil gelled emulsion during the process, and the subsequent effects were studied in order to improve their quality characteristics and fatty acid composition. Percentages of pork back fat replacement were 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%. Proximate composition, instrumental color and texture, pH, TBARS and fatty acid composition of the sausages were studied after substituting portion of the pork fat with camellia oil gelled emulsion. The replacement of pork back fat by camellia oil gels did not affect the cohesiveness, resilience, springiness and protein content, while it increased moisture content, lightness and yellowness. TBARS values was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by the pork back fat substitution. Addition of camellia oil gels significantly (P < 0.05) affected the fatty acid profile. The study suggests that a substantial reduction in SFA can be achieved by incorporating camellia oil gels in Harbin sausage without clearly affecting the studied sausage properties. •The use of camellia oil to replace pork back fat in Harbin sausage was studied, which had not been reported before.•Using camellia oil gelled emulsion did not affect the texture properties and protein content in Harbin sausage.•Camellia oil emulsion achieved a shift in the fatty acid profiles towards a greater unsaturation.•The replacement of pork back-fat with camellia oil gels decreased the TBARS value of Harbin sausage significantly.