Breakfast Sausage Recipe (with Video)

Breakfast Sausage Recipe: There’s nothing quite like the aroma of sizzling breakfast sausage wafting through the house in the morning. Making your own sausage at home elevates this experience to a new level. Not only does it taste fresher, but you also control every ingredient that goes into it. This means no fillers, preservatives, or mystery meat—just wholesome, delicious breakfast sausage you can feel good about serving your family.

Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a kitchen novice, this step-by-step guide will walk you through creating mouthwatering breakfast sausage from scratch.

Ingredients Needed

To make the perfect breakfast sausage, you’ll need the following:

• Ground pork (2 pounds, preferably with 20% fat content)
• Brown sugar (2 tablespoons, for a hint of sweetness)
• Salt (1 ½ teaspoons)
• Black pepper (1 teaspoon)
• Ground sage (1 teaspoon, the cornerstone of traditional breakfast sausage)
• Crushed red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon, optional for heat)
• Ground thyme (½ teaspoon)
• Garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
• Onion powder (½ teaspoon)
• Nutmeg (¼ teaspoon, optional for depth)

Optional Add-Ons:

• Fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary
• Maple syrup or honey for a sweeter variation

Essential Equipment

Having the right tools makes this process much smoother. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A large mixing bowl for combining ingredients
• A spatula or wooden spoon for mixing
• Measuring spoons for precise seasoning
• A meat grinder or food processor (optional but helpful for grinding your own meat)
• Plastic wrap or parchment paper for shaping patties
• A non-stick skillet or grill for cooking

Pro Tip: Keep all your equipment cold when working with raw meat to prevent the fat from melting too quickly.

Choosing the Right Meat

The meat you choose is the backbone of your sausage. Traditional breakfast sausage uses pork, specifically cuts like:

• Pork shoulder or Boston butt: These cuts have the ideal balance of meat and fat for juicy sausage.
• Ground pork: For convenience, you can use pre-ground pork from your butcher.

Dietary Alternatives:

• Turkey or chicken: Great for a leaner option, though you might need to add a bit of oil for moisture.
• Plant-based ground meat: Perfect for a vegetarian or vegan version.

Seasoning the Sausage

Seasoning is where the magic happens! Classic breakfast sausage has a savory, slightly sweet flavor profile. Here’s how to get it right:

• Salt and sugar: These are essential for flavor and balance.
• Herbs like sage and thyme: Bring the characteristic breakfast sausage taste.
• Spices like nutmeg and pepper: Add warmth and a touch of heat.

Tips for Balancing Flavors: Start with the recipe measurements, then adjust to taste. Cook a small sample of your mixture in a pan to test the seasoning before shaping the rest.

Mixing and Binding the Ingredients

Once your meat and spices are ready, it’s time to combine them:

1. Place the ground pork in a large mixing bowl.
2. Add all the seasonings evenly over the meat.
3. Use clean hands or a spatula to gently mix until the spices are well distributed. Avoid over-mixing, which can make the sausage dense.
4. If the mixture feels too dry, you can add a splash of cold water or broth.

Shaping the Sausages

You can shape your sausages into patties or links:

• For patties: Scoop 2-3 tablespoons of mixture, roll it into a ball, then flatten into a disc.
• For links: Use a sausage stuffer attachment on a meat grinder, or hand-roll the mixture into cylinders.

Place the formed sausages on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Cooking Methods

Breakfast sausage can be cooked in several ways:

1. Pan-Frying: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and cook patties for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked.
2. Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), arrange sausages on a baking sheet, and cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
3. Grilling: For a smoky flavor, grill sausages over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.

Internal Temperature Tip: Ensure the sausages reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for pork or poultry.

Tips for Perfect Texture

Achieving the ideal texture in breakfast sausage can make or break the dish. Here’s how to ensure every bite is juicy and flavorful:

1. Don’t Overmix: When combining the meat and seasonings, mix just until everything is evenly distributed. Overworking the meat can result in tough, dense sausage.
2. Chill Before Cooking: After shaping the sausage, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This helps the fat solidify, leading to a better texture when cooked.
3. Avoid Overcooking: Use a food thermometer to ensure the sausages reach the correct internal temperature. Cooking beyond 160°F (71°C) can dry them out.

Pro Tip: Add a small amount of ice-cold water or broth to the meat mixture if it feels too sticky or dry. This keeps the sausage moist during cooking.

Storage and Freezing Options

Homemade breakfast sausage is perfect for meal prep because it stores exceptionally well. Here’s how to keep your sausage fresh:

Refrigeration:

• Store uncooked sausage in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Use within 2-3 days.
• Cooked sausage can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Freezing:

• Arrange patties or links in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
• Transfer the frozen sausage to a zip-top freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating Tips:

• For frozen sausage, thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
• Cooked sausage can be reheated in a microwave or skillet for a quick breakfast.

Healthier Sausage Alternatives

Want to enjoy sausage without the guilt? Here are some healthier options to try:

1. Low-Fat Meats: Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of pork. Add olive oil or a bit of grated apple to retain moisture.
2. Vegetarian Sausage: Use plant-based ground meat alternatives, available in most grocery stores. Season it the same way for a similar flavor profile.
3. Reduce Sodium: Adjust the salt to suit your dietary needs and use herbs and spices to boost flavor naturally.

Pro Tip: Add finely chopped vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini to the mixture for extra nutrients and moisture.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced cooks can make mistakes when preparing homemade sausage. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

1. Overseasoning or Underseasoning: Always cook a small sample of the sausage mixture to taste-test before shaping the entire batch.
2. Using the Wrong Meat: Too lean meat can result in dry sausage. Aim for a 20% fat content for pork or supplement lean meats with oil.
3. Skipping the Chill Time: Chilling shaped sausage before cooking prevents it from falling apart and ensures even cooking.
4. Overcooking: Sausage cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it to avoid a dry, crumbly texture.

Serving Suggestions

Homemade breakfast sausage is versatile and pairs beautifully with a variety of breakfast staples. Here are some serving ideas to inspire you:

1. Classic Pairings: Serve with scrambled eggs, toast, and a side of fresh fruit for a balanced breakfast.
2. Breakfast Sandwiches: Place sausage patties in a biscuit or English muffin with a fried egg and cheese.
3. Sausage Gravy: Crumble cooked sausage into a creamy gravy and serve over biscuits for a hearty Southern-style meal.
4. Sausage and Veggie Skillet: Pair sausage with sautéed vegetables and potatoes for a one-pan breakfast feast.

FAQs about Breakfast Sausage Recipe

What ingredients are needed for homemade breakfast sausage?

To make homemade breakfast sausage, you typically need ground pork, sage, salt, black pepper, thyme, brown sugar, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes. Some variations might include maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.

How do I cook breakfast sausage?

Breakfast sausage can be cooked in several ways. The most common method is pan-frying. Simply heat a skillet over medium heat, place the sausages in the skillet, and cook until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can bake them in an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 18-20 minutes.

Can I make breakfast sausage without pork?

Yes! For those who do not consume pork, alternative meats like turkey or chicken can be used. Adjust spices as needed to suit the lighter flavor profile of these meats.

Is breakfast sausage healthy?

Breakfast sausage can be part of a balanced diet but it is often high in fats and sodium. For a healthier option, consider using lean meats and adjusting the amount of salt. Additionally, look for recipes that use natural spices and herbs for flavoring instead of added sugars and excessive salt.

Can I freeze homemade breakfast sausage?

Absolutely. Once cooked, allow the sausages to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Conclusion

Making homemade breakfast sausage is simpler than you think and comes with a ton of rewards. You get fresh, flavorful sausage tailored to your taste, free from preservatives and unnecessary additives. Whether you like it spicy, sweet, or somewhere in between, this guide provides everything you need to master the art of breakfast sausage. Give it a try—you’ll never look at store-bought sausage the same way again.