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
Turkey sausage has surged in popularity as a leaner alternative to pork sausage But the big question is – how does turkey sausage actually taste compared to traditional pork breakfast links? In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk through the distinct flavor profile of turkey sausage and how it differs from pork.
A Brief History of Turkey Sausage
While pork sausage dates back centuries, turkey sausage is a much more recent creation. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that turkey sausage became mainstream as a lower fat option.
The National Turkey Federation promoted turkey as a healthy substitute for fattier meats. As ground turkey became popular companies soon realized they could also turn turkey into sausage.
The goal was to mimic the taste of pork sausage while creating a leaner, lower calorie alternative. Let’s explore how they did that through the ingredients and spices used.
Ingredients That Create Turkey Sausage Flavor
Turkey itself has a very mild taste. To make it more exciting as a sausage, herbs, spices, and other flavors are added:
-
Sage – Provides the classic savory breakfast sausage flavor
-
Black Pepper – Adds a subtle spicy bite
-
Thyme – Contributes lemon and earthy background notes
-
Garlic Powder – Gives rich, aromatic garlic flavor
-
Red Pepper Flakes – Brings mild heat
-
Maple Syrup or Honey – Offers sweetness to balance the spices
-
Salt – Enhances overall flavor
This blend of seasonings gives turkey sausage a balanced, savory-sweet taste profile with a kick of heat.
How Turkey Sausage Compares to Pork Sausage
Since pork contains more fat, pork sausage has a richer mouthfeel and flavor. Turkey sausage has a firmer, dense texture that can become slightly rubbery if overcooked. It also tends to dry out faster due to less moisture and fat.
Subtle differences in seasoning also impact the taste. Pork sausage often relies more on herbs like sage, while turkey sausage utilizes more spices like black pepper. But both can have a mix of spices tailored to the specific flavor.
Overall, turkey has a less intensely meaty, fatty taste. But with proper seasoning, it can still deliver plenty of savory flavor.
Flavor Profile of Popular Turkey Sausage Types
There are many distinct varieties of turkey sausage, each with their own flavor nuances:
-
Breakfast sausage – Sage forward with maple sweetness
-
Andouille sausage – Peppery with robust garlic notes
-
Kielbasa – Garlicky with a touch of smokiness
-
Chorizo – Intense red pepper flavor and spice
-
Italian sausage – Robust fennel and garlic flavors
-
Bratwurst – Sweet and slightly tart from ginger and lemon
-
Apple sausage – Featuring sweet and tart apple flavor
Within each type, turkey can taste remarkably similar to the pork versions when seasoned well.
How Cooking Method Impacts Flavor
Proper cooking is key to maximizing the flavor of turkey sausage. Quick, hot cooking methods like grilling, sautéing, and stir frying tend to produce the best taste.
Slow, moist methods like braising tend to negatively impact turkey sausage flavor. The lean meat ends up bland and dry without a quick sear.
Pan frying turkey sausage in a bit of oil helps caramelize the exterior and seal in moisture. Just avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
What Does Unflavored Turkey Sausage Taste Like?
If you tried unseasoned turkey sausage, the flavor would be very mild with subtle notes of white meat. Overall it would taste quite boring and bland without any spices or herbs.
This allows the seasonings to shine through when making flavored sausage. The neutral turkey meat serves as the perfect canvas for bold, savory flavors.
Ideal Uses for Turkey Sausage
The versatility of turkey sausage makes it suitable for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks:
-
Breakfast sandwiches, burritos, skillets
-
Pasta and pizza toppings
-
Chili, soups, casseroles
-
Appetizers like stuffed mushrooms
-
Salads and lettuce wraps
-
Stir fries and fajitas
-
Egg dishes like frittatas and quiche
With a bit of creativity, turkey sausage can be substituted in place of pork for many recipes. Adjustments to seasoning or added fat may occasionally be needed.
Nutritional Benefits of Turkey Sausage
Turkey sausage packs impressive nutritional advantages over pork:
-
Much lower in fat, calories, and sodium
-
Higher in protein and essential vitamins
-
Contains zero carbs
-
Can be gluten-free and low-sugar
For those looking for a healthier meat choice without sacrificing flavor, turkey sausage is tough to beat! Just be mindful of added sugars or preservatives when choosing a brand.
The Takeaway on Turkey Sausage Flavor
While personal preferences vary, turkey sausage can have a remarkably pork-like taste when seasoned properly and cooked quickly. The lower fat content gives it a firmer, meatier texture. Through clever use of spices and herbs, turkey transforms into a flavorful and leaner sausage option.
So next time you’re at the breakfast table, give turkey sausage a try. You may find that it satisfies your savory sausage cravings while providing a slimmer nutritional profile. With so many varieties available, the flavor options are virtually endless.
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.
Turkey Sausage / How to make turkey sausage taste like pork sausage!
FAQ
Are turkey sausages tasty?
Turkey sausage gets a bad rap- some people find it is dry and flavorless- but I think that properly made, it’s tasty, even without the addition of pork fat. It has a lighter flavor and is much leaner than most sausages, but has that familiar sausage texture and flavor.
Which is better, turkey or pork sausage?
Turkey sausage has fewer calories, less saturated fat and sodium and it is worth substituting for pork. Turkey sausage also contains more protein and a higher percentage for many vitamins than pork sausage.
Why do people eat turkey sausage?
Yes, turkey sausage is generally lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol compared to pork sausage. It’s also a good source of lean protein, making it a popular choice for those looking to eat healthier.
Does turkey sausage have a flavor?
Turkey sausage will definitely have a flavor, especially if it contains lots of herbs and spices, but it won’t be as robust as the flavor of pork sausage. The melting fat surrounding the meat as it cooks produces this tantalizing smell and taste that aren’t really present with turkey sausage because of the lower amounts of fat.
What is the difference between Turkey sausage and pork sausage?
The taste of turkey sausage and pork sausage is quite different. Turkey sausage has a milder flavor than pork sausage, and it is often described as being more “savory” or “herbaceous.” Pork sausage, on the other hand, has a richer, more robust flavor. Both turkey sausage and pork sausage can be used in a variety of dishes.
Is pork sausage healthier than Turkey?
Turkey and pork sausage are grocery staples. Turkey is often seen as a healthier alternative to pork, but pork remains popular and is the go-to sausage for many cooks. Both taste great and are available in a number of varieties, such as kielbasa and breakfast sausage.
What is turkey sausage?
Turkey sausage is literally just sausage made with turkey meat. It’s a leaner type of sausage that became popular in the 1980s when eating low-fat foods was all the rage.
What is the taste of sausages?
Sausages have a distinct umami taste that is salty and somewhat spicy. Each country offers its own variation, with most having a strong hint of one or two specific spices or herbs.
Is turkey sausage a good source of protein?
Turkey sausage is also a good source of protein, with a 3- ounce serving providing about 15 grams. Pork sausage is also a good source of protein, but it provides slightly less, with a 3-ounce serving providing about 12 grams. The taste of turkey sausage and pork sausage is quite different.