Description
This flavorful Breakfast Sausage Recipe features lean ground turkey blended with aromatic herbs and spices, including fennel seeds, fresh thyme, and sage, for a delicious homemade alternative to store-bought sausage. Perfectly pan-seared to develop a golden crust and cooked through on the stovetop, these patties make a hearty breakfast dish that's both satisfying and wholesome.
Ingredients
Sausage Mixture
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, minced
- 1 large garlic clove, chopped
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- Black pepper, to taste, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
- 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey (can substitute with ground pork, bison, or chicken)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh sage, chopped
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika (or smoked paprika for smokier flavor)
- Pinch of sugar
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for spice)
For Cooking
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and add the olive oil, minced onion, 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt, and chopped garlic. Stir frequently for about 4-5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent. Adjust heat as needed to prevent browning too quickly.
- Toast Fennel Seeds: Add the fennel seeds to the softened onion and toss quickly for about 1 minute until the seeds are fragrant and toasted. Remove this mixture to a medium bowl and let it cool slightly.
- Combine Sausage Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the ground turkey (or chosen ground meat), red wine vinegar, fresh thyme, fresh sage, remaining kosher salt, paprika, sugar, nutmeg, and optional cayenne pepper. Add the cooled onion, garlic, and fennel mixture to the bowl. Mix everything together thoroughly with a fork until well-distributed.
- Shape Patties: Form the mixture into 8 evenly sized patties. Place them on parchment or wax paper to keep and set aside. You can refrigerate or freeze the patties at this point if preparing ahead.
- Brown the Patties: Spray a non-stick skillet lightly with olive oil and heat over medium-low. Once hot, cook the turkey patties in two batches, browning them for 3 minutes on each side to develop a golden crust.
- Cook Through: After browning, reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of patties reaches 165°F, ensuring they are fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the cooked patties from the heat, and repeat the browning and cooking steps with the second batch if needed. Serve warm for a hearty breakfast.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted with ground pork, bison, or chicken according to preference.
- The cayenne pepper is optional—add it for a subtle heat.
- For a smokier flavor, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika.
- These patties can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure patties reach 165°F for safe consumption.
