Homemade Breakfast Sausage

Ingredients

• 1.25 tsp salt
• 0.75 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1.25 tsp ground sage (Alternatively, use 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped.)
• 0.75 tsp brown sugar
• 0.75 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.375 tsp red pepper flakes (Use 1/4 to 1/2 tsp, according to desired heat.)
• 1.5 tbsp water
• 2 tsp olive oil (Use when making sausage with ground turkey or chicken; helps keep lean meat moist.)
• 1 lb ground meat (Use ground turkey, chicken, pork, or beef. Turkey is used for the estimated nutrition.)

Steps

1. 1

   Combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground sage, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add the water and, if using ground turkey or chicken, the olive oil. Stir thoroughly until the seasoning mixture is evenly combined.

2. 2

   Place the ground meat in a medium mixing bowl. Pour the seasoning mixture over the meat.

3. 3

   Using clean hands, gently mix the meat and seasoning until the mixture is evenly incorporated. Avoid overmixing, which can make the sausage dense.

4. 4

   With damp hands, divide the mixture into approximately four equal portions and shape each portion into a patty. Make the patties evenly thick so they cook at the same rate.

5. 5

   To cook immediately, heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Ground poultry should reach 165°F (74°C); ground pork or beef should reach 160°F (71°C) on an instant-read thermometer.

6. 6

   Serve the sausage with eggs, biscuits, pancakes, on a breakfast sandwich, or alongside fruit.

Notes

Uncooked shaped sausage can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours or frozen for up to 2 months. Alternatively, fully cook the sausage, cool it completely, and freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. The water and olive oil are especially useful with lean ground turkey or chicken because they help distribute the seasoning and maintain moisture.

Nutrition per serving

• breakfast
• main
• meal prep
• freezer-friendly
• make-ahead
• high-protein
• skillet
• customizable