My homemade turkey sausage recipe uses just 6 ingredients and cooks in less than 10 minutes. It’s juicy, healthy, and flavorful and works well as a breakfast sausage.
We love cooking with turkey. It’s lean, packed with protein, and contains barely any saturated fat.
I love a savory breakfast, especially if there is some meat involved. Inspired by traditional breakfast sausage patties, I wanted to create a slightly healthier version, which is where my turkey breakfast sausage was born!
Contrary to popular belief, ground turkey works well in recipes traditionally made with ground beef. While you can buy pre-packaged turkey sausage at supermarkets, making it at home is SO easy and tastes ten times better.
Turkey sausage can come as patties or links and is made up of ground turkey, spices, and some form of fat (usually olive oil). Like my chicken sausage, it’s lower in calories than other sausages and has a milder and less meaty flavor.Table of Contents
Ground turkey can make for a hearty, protein-packed breakfast when seasoned well. With the right blend of spices and herbs, you can impart tons of flavor into the lean ground meat and make it taste great in everything from breakfast sandwiches to egg bakes.
If you’re looking for ways to add turkey to your morning routine for a nutritious start to your day, then read on. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to pick the right ground turkey, blend your own spice mixes, cook the meat properly, and incorporate it into delicious breakfast recipes. Let’s get cooking!
Why Choose Ground Turkey for Breakfast?
Ground turkey breast is an excellent choice for breakfast because it provides lean protein to help keep you satisfied throughout the morning. Compared to pork breakfast sausage, ground turkey has much less fat and calories – making it a lighter yet still very flavorful option.
Turkey is also packed with nutrients like selenium zinc vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. It contains less sodium than pre-made turkey sausage products. Plus, it’s budget friendly and readily available at any local grocery store.
Here are some of the key benefits of using ground turkey sausage for breakfast:
- Very lean and low in fat/calories compared to pork sausage
- High in protein to keep you feeling full and energized
- Lower in sodium than pre-made or packaged turkey sausage
- Versatile and easy to season yourself
- More budget friendly than pre-made turkey sausage products
- Widely available at any grocery store
Tips for Making Ground Turkey Taste Like Breakfast Sausage
To make your ground turkey taste like delicious savory breakfast sausage follow these simple tips
Pick the Right Ground Turkey
For breakfast sausage, you want very lean ground turkey breast, typically 93-99% lean. The leaner the better so it mimics the texture of sausage.
Use Fresh Herbs and Spices
Dried sage, thyme, oregano, marjoram are key for getting that classic sausage flavor. Garlic powder and fresh minced garlic also enhance flavor beautifully.
Add a Touch of Sweetness
A pinch of brown sugar or maple syrup helps balance out the herbs and spices,
Include Some Heat
A pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper kicks things up a notch. Black pepper also adds spice.
Let the Flavors Blend
If possible, let the seasoned meat rest overnight in the fridge so the flavors can really get absorbed. Even 30 minutes helps.
Cook Thoroughly
Cook the turkey completely until no longer pink inside. It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Drain Excess Fat
Drain off any excess fat after cooking for a nice lean texture.
Boost Flavor
Apple, fennel seeds, paprika, and smoked paprika also enhance flavor if you want to switch it up.
Handy Spice Blends for Seasoning Ground Turkey
Here are some tasty homemade spice blends you can use to turn ground turkey into flavorful breakfast sausage:
Breakfast Sausage Seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon ground sage
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram or oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Italian Sausage Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Maple Breakfast Sausage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Southwestern Style
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Apple Maple Sausage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 cup finely grated apple
How to Cook and Brown Seasoned Ground Turkey
Once your ground turkey is all seasoned up, there are two easy ways to cook it:
Sausage Patties
- Form the mixture into patties, about 1/2 inch thick.
- Mist a skillet with cooking spray and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side.
Sausage Crumbles
- Cook the turkey mixture in a skillet, breaking it up into crumbles, until no longer pink.
The cooked sausage can then be enjoyed in many delicious ways! Keep reading for breakfast recipes.
10 Tasty Ways to Enjoy Turkey Breakfast Sausage
Here are some delicious ways to use your homemade seasoned ground turkey sausage for breakfast:
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Breakfast Sandwiches – Cook up patties or crumbles and serve on an English muffin, biscuit, or bagel with egg and cheese.
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Breakfast Burritos – Stuff tortillas with the sausage, scrambled eggs, cheese, and veggies for a warm and hearty breakfast.
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Egg Bakes – Incorporate the sausage into a casserole with eggs, potatoes, cheese, and veggies for a make-ahead breakfast.
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Sausage Gravy – Make a hearty gravy with the crumbles to top biscuits.
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Breakfast Bowls – Top cooked sausage crumbles with fried eggs, peppers, onions, and cheese.
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Sausage Hash – Sauté sausage crumbles with potatoes, peppers and onions.
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Frittatas or Crustless Quiche – Add sausage to egg mixture before baking.
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Stuffed Breakfast Potatoes – Load up baked potatoes with sausage, cheese, and veggies.
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Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms – Spoon sausage into baked mushroom caps for a fun spin.
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Sausage Sweet Potato Bowl – Cooked sausage served over sweet potatoes makes a savory and satisfying breakfast.
With so many options, you’ll never get bored enjoying this tasty lean turkey sausage! It provides a quick, budget friendly way to start your day with protein.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Breakfast Sausage
What seasonings work well with ground turkey for breakfast?
Herbs and spices like sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper pair nicely with ground turkey breakfast dishes.
Can I use a pre-made seasoning mix for my turkey?
Yes, there are several pre-made seasoning blends designed specifically for ground turkey breakfast sausage. Just check the label for any added preservatives or artificial ingredients.
How do I make sure my turkey breakfast isn’t too salty?
To avoid over-salting, start with a small amount of seasoning and then taste and adjust as needed. Using low-sodium seasoning options helps control salt levels too.
Can I make my own breakfast sausage seasoning?
Absolutely! Combine sage, thyme, marjoram, garlic, salt and pepper to create your own custom blend. Add brown sugar or maple syrup for sweetness.
Are there healthy seasoning options for turkey breakfasts?
Yes, use fresh herbs, garlic, citrus zest, onion powder, etc. for flavor without added sodium or preservatives.
What spices add kick to turkey breakfast dishes?
Spices like cayenne, chili powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or black pepper add heat and spice to turkey breakfast recipes.
How can I keep my turkey breakfast meat from being bland?
Gradually layer in different seasonings and taste as you go. Letting the meat marinate also helps the flavor soak in.
What seasoning blends work for breakfast burritos?
A blend of cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder makes a tasty Southwestern style seasoning for breakfast burritos.
Can I marinate ground turkey in spices overnight?
Yes! Letting it marinate overnight allows more flavor to absorb into the meat, resulting in more flavorful turkey.
How do I make turkey breakfast dishes more aromatic?
Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, cilantro add lots of aroma. Citrus zest also enhances fragrance and flavor.
Final Tips for Delicious Turkey Breakfasts
- Try mixing up the protein – ground chicken or pork sausage work too!
- Let the meat rest at least 30 minutes after seasoning for best flavor.
- Cook thoroughly until no pink remains and the meat reaches 165°F.
- Feel free to double or triple the spice blend recipes to have extras on hand.
- Play around with different herb and spice combos to find your perfect blend.
- Freeze any extra cooked sausage or patties for quick breakfasts.
- Use broth or chicken stock instead of oil or butter when
Why I love this recipe
- Healthy and low calorie. Turkey sausage is high in protein and low in fat and perfect to include as part of an everyday diet. I like to make my family homemade sausage McMuffins with them!
- Cost-effective. It’s much more affordable to make your own than to spend over twice as much for the pre-made kind. You also skip out on all the additives and thickeners the store-bought brands use.
- Ready in 6 minutes. Set your timer when the sausage hits the pan. Three minutes on each side, and you are done!
- Tastier than other kinds of sausage. Compared to pork sausage or beef sausage, it doesn’t have the overpowering meaty flavors that can overwhelm a dish!
- Ground turkey. Lean ground turkey or extra lean ground turkey. I don’t recommend the higher-fat cuts because the sausage ends up being soggy and greasy.
- Olive oil. Adding oil ensures the patties are juicy and moist in the middle, even when using lean meat.
- Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Dried sage. A key spice to enhance the peppery flavors. It’s also the secret ingredient used in McDonald’s sausage!
- Garlic powder. Adds a subtle garlic flavor without needing fresh garlic.
- Brown sugar OR maple syrup-. Adding a touch of either of these sweeteners balances out the savory and salty flavors. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
How to make turkey sausage
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- make the mixture. Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix together until completely combined.
Step 2- shape. Using your hands, shape the mixture into six patties.
Step 3- Fry. Add oil to a large skillet or pan and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the breakfast sausage patties and fry for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 4- Serve the sausage immediately with your favorite sides.
- Use a meat thermometer. Because we are using lean meat, you don’t want to overcook the turkey sausage. To prevent this from happening, I recommend using an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Ready-to-eat turkey should reach 165F.
- Bake the sausage. If you’d like to bake the turkey sausage instead of frying it, prepare it as instructed. Place them on a greased and lined baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until the sausage reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
- Change up the seasonings. Add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for some spice, or amp up the smokiness by adding smoked paprika and a dash of liquid smoke.
- Add cheese. You can never go wrong with cheese, so fold through 1/4 cup of your favorite shredded cheese into the mixture. I personally love mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese.
To store: Leftover breakfast sausage can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled sausage in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to two months.
Reheating: Microwave the sausage for 30-40 seconds until hot or in a non-stick pan.
Yes! Turkey sausage is naturally lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol compared to pork sausage. It’s a fantastic source of lean protein, so it’s perfect for a healthier diet.
If you make your own turkey sausage or breakfast sausage, it is not considered processed meat, as no fillers, thickeners, or preservatives are added.