Breakfast Sausage Recipe

My homemade breakfast sausage recipe is easy to make with regular ground beef, packed with herbs and spices, quick to mix and pop in a skillet, and gives you full control of the flavor. I serve the savory patties with eggs and toast, or any of my family's favorite traditional breakfast foods. It's even great to make and freeze ahead for later!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork (higher fat % = more flavor and softer texture)
• 4 teaspoons light brown sugar (packed (optional, but suggested!))
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground sage (or rubbed sage)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Set out a large bowl. Combined the sugar, salt, ground pepper, fennel seeds, sage, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper. Mix well.
2. 2Place the ground pork in the bowl. Use your hands to gently and evenly mix the spice blend throughout the ground pork. Break the pork up into small chunks as you do this to sort of fluff it up, not smash it down.
3. 3Once the seasoning is evenly distributed, gently level the sausage mixture in the bowl. Use a spatula (or a butter knife) to divide the sausage into 6-8 equal portions for patties. I prefer to make eight patties.
4. 4Shape each portion into a round patty approximately ¾ inch thick.
5. 5Set a large skillet over medium heat. If using a nonstick skillet no oil is required, however for a stainless-steel skillet you may need a little drizzle of oil.
6. 6Place the sausage patties in the skillet. Gently press each patty so it has good surface contact but be careful not to squeeze them thin. Cook the patties for 3-5 minutes per side. Serve warm.