How to Make Homemade Breakfast Sausage from Scratch
How to Make Homemade Breakfast Sausage from Scratch
Breakfast has always been a favorite meal in my home. Growing up, breakfast could be anytime of the day, morning or evening. Nothing beats a good pancake with eggs and homemade breakfast sausage for dinner. Yes ma’am! The beauty of this recipe is you can make it ahead and freeze it for future use, so you can have a quick, delicious morning delight whenever you need it.
What You’ll Need for This Homemade Breakfast Sausage
The ingredients for this homemade breakfast sausage come together to create a flavorful, juicy sausage that’s perfect for breakfast. Here's what you’ll need:
- • 1 lb ground pork: This is the base of your sausage, providing a juicy and flavorful texture. You can opt for a leaner cut if you prefer, but pork shoulder offers the best balance of fat and flavor.
- • 1 to 1 1/2 tsp salt: Salt is essential to bring out the flavor in the sausage. Start with a little less and adjust to taste.
- • 1/2 tsp black pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and kick to the sausage without overpowering the other flavors.
- • 1 rounded teaspoon brown sugar (light or dark): Sweetness balances out the savory flavors and helps with browning during cooking.
- • 1 tsp marjoram (or thyme): Marjoram gives the sausage a herby flavor that’s classic in breakfast sausage. You can substitute thyme if you prefer.
- • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional): Just a pinch adds a nice warmth to the sausage, but it’s optional if you prefer less heat.
- • 1 1/2 tsp sage (or more, up to 2 tsp): Sage is a must for breakfast sausage. It provides an earthy, aromatic note that ties everything together. Adjust to your taste preference.
- • 1/2 tsp paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and color to the sausage mix. Feel free to use smoked paprika for an extra smoky depth.
- • 1/8 tsp garlic powder (pinch): Garlic powder enhances the flavor profile with a mild, savory depth.
- • 1/8 tsp onion powder (pinch): Onion powder adds another layer of savory flavor, perfect for sausage.
- • Cayenne pepper (to taste): A pinch of cayenne adds an extra layer of warmth. Add as little or as much as you like.
Adjusting the Salt to Your Taste
Store-bought breakfast sausage can be loaded with salt, but this recipe is a bit more balanced. Of course, you can always adjust it to suit your taste. Since you can’t exactly taste-test raw meat (not recommended!), I suggest cooking a small piece of the seasoned mix to see if it hits the right flavor level for you. The same goes for any other seasonings—tweak them until they’re just right. Personally, I’ve found this recipe to be just the thing, especially when I used it for sausage gravy and biscuits. I even went with a lower-fat meat, which I know sounds a bit counterproductive, but it eased my mom’s voice in my head and took away a bit of that guilt. 😂 Don’t be afraid to experiment, and the best part? This freezes beautifully, so you can make a batch ahead of time. Let me know what flavors you like to add to your breakfast sausage!
Homemade Breakfast Sausage: Versatile and Easy to Make
Homemade breakfast sausage is a game-changer. You can use any ground meat and control the fat content by opting for lower-fat types. Most of the ingredients are likely already in your pantry, so dive right into this simple yet delicious recipe. While I love all kinds of sausage, there's something special about homemade. It's a chance to get creative with the spices and make it uniquely yours using whatever you have on hand. One day, I stumbled upon some lower-fat ground pork and was amazed at how well it absorbed the spices. Just remember, when pan-frying, you might need to add a bit of fat due to the reduced fat in the ground meat. For a hearty, indulgent breakfast, try pairing it with our Biscuit and Gravy recipe featuring this homemade sausage—it's a surefire way to start your day with a satisfied smile and a full belly.
Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork choose the fat percentage according to your preference. For leaner sausage, select a higher lean percentage, or for juicier sausage, go for a higher fat content
Spices:
- 1 rounded teaspoon brown sugar light or dark
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust based on heat preference
- 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons sage
- 1 teaspoon marjoram or substitute thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder pinch
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder pinch
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Optional: cayenne pepper to taste for extra heat
- 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the ground pork along with all the spices (brown sugar, red pepper flakes, sage, marjoram, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper).
- Mix Well: Use your hands or a spoon to thoroughly mix the pork and spices until evenly combined.
- Shape the Sausage: You can either form the sausage mixture into small patties or leave it as loose sausage. To make patties, simply form the sausage mixture into small rounds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
- Cook the Sausage: Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add a bit of oil if desired, and cook the sausage patties or loose sausage, flipping occasionally, until they are fully cooked through (about 5-7 minutes per side for patties or 10-15 minutes for loose sausage).
- Serve: Once cooked through, remove from the skillet and serve hot.
Notes
- If you're using lower-fat pork, you might need to add some oil to the pan or cook it in a non-stick pan with a little water.
- Tip: you can adjust by taking a pinch of mixture and cook. Taste test to adjust salt if you need more.
Why Make Your Own Breakfast Sausage?
You might be asking, "Why should I make my own breakfast sausage when I can just grab a pack at the store?" Well, there are plenty of reasons!
Save Money and Choose Better Cuts
Making your own sausage can save you some cash, especially if you have a meat grinder. You get to pick the cuts of meat you want, and usually at a lower cost. Even without a grinder, it’s still a cost-effective option.
Versatility to Suit Your Taste
The real beauty of homemade sausage is the versatility. Not into pork? No problem! You can easily swap it out with ground chicken or turkey. Season it however you like to match your flavor preferences.
Control Over Ingredients
One of the best parts of making your own sausage is that you’re in control of everything. You can adjust the fat and salt content to suit your needs. That means a healthier sausage without sacrificing flavor!
Pork vs. Chicken/Turkey
If you’re thinking pork is the fattiest option, don’t worry. You can find leaner cuts of pork, or go with chicken or turkey. Just keep in mind that lower-fat meats might need a little extra help to stay juicy—think adding a bit of oil or broth.
Tailored Just for You
Making it yourself means you can have a breakfast sausage that’s exactly the way you want it. No compromise on flavor, and you know exactly what’s in it.
The Joy of Homemade Breakfast Sausage
I know the idea of making your own breakfast sausage might seem a little daunting at first, but trust me—you’ll be amazed at how the fresh flavors of your spices really shine through. The best part? You get to control everything from the fat and salt content to the seasoning, ensuring it’s just the way you like it. Once you give it a try, I’m sure you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again. So, roll up your sleeves and enjoy the simple pleasure of creating your own breakfast sausage—it’s easier than you think, and the flavor is so worth it!
Leave a comment and let me know—what other meals besides breakfast do you use your homemade breakfast sausage in? Do you like having breakfast anytime of the day?
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Hey, if you tried this recipe, leave a comment below and let me know what you think! A quick rating helps others out too, and if you added your own twist, let’s talk about it!