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Fresh Breakfast Sausage Recipe

Fresh Breakfast Sausage Recipe


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4.9 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 38 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Homemade fresh breakfast sausage brings hearty flavor to morning tables across America. Spicy black pepper, sage, and garlic blend perfectly with ground pork for a classic protein you’ll crave at first bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) pork shoulder or ground pork

Herbs and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
  • 1.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
  • 1.5 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Flavor Enhancers:

  • 3 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1.5 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1.5 teaspoons coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Instructions

  1. Trim and cube pork shoulder into uniform 1-inch pieces, then refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to ensure optimal grinding consistency.
  2. Transfer chilled meat through a medium-grinding attachment, creating a consistent texture for sausage formation.
  3. Combine ground pork with aromatic seasonings including herbs, minced garlic, subtle sugar, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients integrate evenly.
  4. Create a small test patty and quickly pan-sear to verify seasoning profile, adjusting salt or spices as needed for balanced flavor.
  5. Shape seasoned mixture into compact, uniform patties approximately 2.5 inches in diameter, ensuring even thickness for consistent cooking.
  6. Warm a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat with minimal oil, maintaining temperature around 350°F.
  7. Carefully place prepared patties into heated skillet, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 160°F and exterior develops a golden-brown crispy crust.
  8. Transfer cooked sausage patties onto absorbent paper towels to drain excess fat, then serve immediately while hot and succulent.

Notes

  • Chill meat thoroughly before grinding to maintain optimal texture and prevent fat smearing, which ensures juicier sausages.
  • Use fresh, high-quality pork shoulder with good fat content (around 20-30%) for maximum flavor and proper binding.
  • Test seasoning by cooking a small patty first, allowing quick adjustments to salt, herbs, and spice levels without wasting entire batch.
  • Customize recipe for dietary needs by substituting ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg