Breakfast Sausage Recipe

Ground pork: The base of the sausage, providing a rich and savory flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste and balances the flavors.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the sausage.

Dried sage: Contributes a warm, earthy flavor typical of breakfast sausage.

Dried thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the other spices.

Red pepper flakes: Provides a hint of spiciness to the sausage.

Maple syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness that balances the savory elements.

When forming the patties, ensure they are of uniform thickness to promote even cooking. To prevent the patties from sticking to your hands, lightly coat your palms with a bit of oil or water. This will make shaping the patties easier and result in a smoother surface. Additionally, allowing the patties to rest in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before cooking can help them hold their shape better during the cooking process.

• ground pork - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and can absorb the flavors of the spices well.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a similar salty flavor with an additional umami depth.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• dried sage - Substitute with dried marjoram: Dried marjoram has a similar earthy and slightly sweet flavor.

• dried thyme - Substitute with dried oregano: Dried oregano offers a similar herbaceous note and pairs well with other spices.

• red pepper flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper provides a similar heat level and can be adjusted to taste.

• maple syrup - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a similar sweetness and helps to balance the savory flavors.

• Allow the breakfast sausage patties to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.

• Place the cooled patties in an airtight container or wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This ensures they stay fresh and prevents any unwanted odors from seeping in.

• For short-term storage, keep the sausages in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness.

• For longer storage, freezing is your best option. Lay the wrapped patties on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.

• Once frozen, transfer the patties to a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the bag with the date for easy reference.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw the patties in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, use the defrost setting on your microwave.

• Reheat the thawed patties in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

• If you prefer, you can also reheat the patties directly from frozen. Simply cook them in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a few extra minutes to ensure they are heated through.

• Always check the internal temperature of the sausages to ensure they reach at least 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the skillet.
  3. Once the skillet is hot, add the leftover breakfast sausage patties.
  4. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until heated through.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the breakfast sausage patties on a baking sheet.
  3. Cover the patties with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
  4. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the breakfast sausage patties on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover the patties with a damp paper towel to keep them moist.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heating evenly.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the breakfast sausage patties in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and slightly crispy on the outside.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the breakfast sausage patties in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for 30-45 minutes.
  4. Remove the patties from the bag and quickly sear them in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side for added texture.

• Mixing bowl: Use this to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.

• Skillet: This is essential for cooking the sausage patties evenly.

• Spatula: Handy for flipping the patties in the skillet.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring the salt, pepper, sage, thyme, and red pepper flakes.

• Tablespoon: Use this to measure the maple syrup.

• Plate: Place the cooked patties on this to serve them hot.

• Paper towels: Useful for draining any excess grease from the cooked patties.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and mix spices the night before to save time in the morning.

Use a cookie scoop: Form patties quickly and uniformly by using a cookie scoop.

Preheat the skillet: Start heating your skillet while forming the patties to reduce waiting time.

Batch cook: Make extra sausage patties and freeze them for future breakfasts.

Non-stick skillet: Use a non-stick skillet to minimize cleanup time.