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Discover breakfast bliss with easy Homemade Breakfast Sausage. Savor the perfect blend of ground pork expertly seasoned to perfection and cooked with a crispy outside and tender and juicy inside.
Cooking homemade breakfast sausage fills the kitchen with an enticing aroma. The sizzling sausage releases fragrant notes of herbs and spices, creating an irresistible and inviting smell that awakens the senses. Nothing pairs better with Maple Syrup Pancakes or an Egg Breakfast Casserole.
This succulent sausage is renowned for its distinctive taste and is remarkably easy to make, requiring just a few simple steps and basic ingredients. If you’re making a big breakfast don’t forget to include this sausage and perhaps some Million Dollar Bacon.
What ingredients are in homemade breakfast sausage?
Homemade breakfast sausage typically includes a mixture of ground meat, commonly pork, along with a blend of herbs and spices such as sage, black pepper, salt, and sometimes a touch of sweetness from ingredients like brown sugar or Maple Syrup.
Ingredients Needed
- Ground Pork – this recipe utilizes ground pork as the primary meat ingredient, which is mixed with a variety of her
- Egg White – Egg white, when used in homemade breakfast sausage, serves as a binding agent. It helps hold the ingredients together, creating a cohesive texture and preventing the sausage from falling apart during cooking.
- Fennel Seed – Fennel seeds in breakfast sausage add a subtle, sweet, and slightly licorice-like flavor. To incorporate them, crush or grind the seeds before adding them to the sausage mixture.
- Oil – To cook homemade breakfast sausage, you’ll want to heat oil in a skillet or pan over medium heat until it’s hot but not smoking. Any oil with a high smoking point such as vegetable oils will work.
How to Make Homemade Breakfast Sausage
- Prep the seasonings. Crush the fennel seeds using a mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder, or place them in a bag and roll over them with a rolling pin to release their aromatic oils and enhance their flavor. Mince the garlic and chop up the thyme and sage.
- Combine the sausage ingredients. Place the ground pork, minced garlic, thyme, sage, crushed fennel, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and egg white into a large mixing bowl and mix together until well combined. Be careful not to mash the ground pork and other ingredients too much, which will result in a tougher sausage. If you have time let the mixture marinate overnight.
- Shape the patties. Shape the meat into 12 round patties that are about 1/2-inch in thickness.
- Cook the sausage. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and brown it on each side for 4 to 5 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 165º F.
FAQS
The distinct flavor of breakfast sausage is achieved through a combination of key elements. It starts with ground meat, often pork, mixed with a blend of seasonings like sage, black pepper, and salt, lending it a savory and slightly peppery profile. Some recipes include sweet elements such as brown sugar or maple syrup for depth. Fennel seeds add a subtle licorice-like note, while garlic and onion enhance the complexity.
Making your own breakfast sausage can be cost-effective, especially when buying ingredients in bulk and avoiding preservatives. However, the actual savings depend on factors like meat and spice prices in your area.
Breakfast sausage is typically made from ground pork, although it can also include a combination of meats such as pork and beef, or even poultry like turkey or chicken, depending on regional variations and personal preferences.
Spices for Homemade Breakfast Sausage
The spices commonly used in homemade breakfast sausage may include:
- Sage: Provides a distinctive earthy and slightly peppery flavor.
- Black Pepper: Adds a mild spiciness and depth to the seasoning.
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste and helps bring out the flavors of other spices.
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional): For those who enjoy a bit of heat, red pepper flakes can be added for a subtle kick.
- Garlic Powder: Imparts a savory garlic flavor without the texture of fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder: Adds a hint of onion flavor and complements the other spices.
- Fennel Seeds: These seeds contribute a subtle licorice-like note, adding complexity to the flavor profile.
- Ground Nutmeg (optional): A pinch of nutmeg can provide a warm and aromatic undertone.
- Paprika (optional): Paprika can add a mild smokiness and a touch of color to the sausage.
- Brown Sugar or Maple Syrup (optional): These ingredients can provide a hint of sweetness and depth to the flavor, depending on your preference.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Marinate the meat. Allowing the homemade sausage mixture to marinate overnight is beneficial because it allows the flavors of the seasonings and spices to meld and infuse thoroughly into the meat, resulting in a richer and more flavorful sausage when cooked.
- Choose your cooking method. Breakfast sausage can be pan-fried, grilled, or baked, depending on your preference. Cook it over medium heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Don’t Overcook: Avoid overcooking the sausage, as this can make it dry. Cook until it’s browned on the outside and reaches the recommended internal temperature.
- Storage: If you have leftover homemade sausage, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze it for longer-term storage.
More Breakfast Recipes
Homemade Breakfast Sausage Recipe
Equipment
- Heavy-Bottomed Skillet
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs Ground Pork
- 1 large Egg White
- 3 Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon Sage finely chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon Thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon Fennel Seeds crushed
- pinch Nutmeg
- 1½ teaspoons Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prep the seasonings. Crush the fennel seeds using a mortar and pestle, or a coffee grinder, or place them in a bag and roll over them with a rolling pin to release their aromatic oils and enhance their flavor. Mince the garlic and chop up the thyme and sage.
- Combine the sausage ingredients. Place the ground pork, minced garlic, thyme, sage, crushed fennel, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and egg white into a large mixing bowl and mix together until well combined. Be careful not to mash the ground pork and other ingredients too much, which will result in a tougher sausage. If you have time let the mixture marinate overnight.
- Shape the patties. Shape the meat into 12 round patties that are about 1/2-inch in thickness.
- Cook the sausage. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and brown it on each side for 4 to 5 minutes or until it reaches an internal temp of 165º F.
Notes
- Marinate the meat. Allowing the homemade sausage mixture to marinate overnight is beneficial because it allows the flavors of the seasonings and spices to meld and infuse thoroughly into the meat, resulting in a richer and more flavorful sausage when cooked.
- Choose your cooking method. Breakfast sausage can be pan-fried, grilled, or baked, depending on your preference. Cook it over medium heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Don’t Overcook: Avoid overcooking the sausage, as this can make it dry. Cook until it’s browned on the outside and reaches the recommended internal temperature.
- Storage: If you have leftover homemade sausage, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days or freeze it for longer-term storage.
