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Easy Homemade Turkey Sausage Recipe

Turkey sausage patties are delicious for breakfast or any other time you’re in the mood for them. You only need a few ingredients that include ground turkey and some seasonings. I’ve used this same recipe to make pork sausage, and it’s just as good.

turkey sausage patties on a plate with more breakfast food

After you make this sausage, you may never want to use the store-bought version again. It’s nice to be able to adjust the ingredients according to your family’s preferences.

Easy Homemade Turkey Sausage

Although it’s usually easy to find turkey sausage already made, I prefer to make my own. It’s nice to have the choice between regular or lean ground turkey. Or pork. I’ve even used a blend of ground turkey, ground pork, and ground beef.

I also enjoy choosing how much of each spice to use. After you make this recipe the first time, you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you’d like to add or subtract next time. And that’s a good thing.

Since you’re making them yourself, you control what goes into them. So if you follow a keto diet or any program that is low carb, this delicious turkey sausage can be your go-to breakfast protein.

I highly recommend reading this entire post before you begin preparing the recipe. However, if all you want is the list of ingredients with full directions, please either click on the jump-to-recipe button above or scroll to the bottom of this post.

Turkey Sausage Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need a pound of ground turkey. I recommend getting the regular version that has both white and dark meat.

Ground turkey

It’s a whole lot more flavorful with a little bit of fat. I’ve made it with low-fat ground turkey breast, but it comes out a bit dry.

Main ingredient:

  • 1 pound ground turkey

Now it’s time for the seasonings. Here are the essential seasonings I like:

  • 1 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspon black pepper
  • Cayenne or red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt, pepper, sage, ginger, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and thyme

For exact measurements of each ingredient and full directions, go to the recipe card at the bottom of the page. You can even print out the card by using the “print” button.

If you want to add other seasonings or flavors, that’s fine. In fact, the first time I had it, I think there might have been some cinnamon and maple. When I make sausage to use in an Italian dish, I use seasonings with a strong Italian flavor. Italian turkey sausage is quite good in spaghetti sauce.

Sometimes I simply add an Italian seasoning blend. Or I might combine oregano and basil to the other seasonings. I used a blend of light and dark turkey because I think it has more flavor than ground turkey breast.

The dark meat has a tad more fat. However, it’s completely up to you and what you prefer. You can also add more oil if you use lean ground turkey. Otherwise, it might be a little bit dry.

How to Make Turkey Sausage Patties

You’ll be amazed by how easy it is to make your own turkey sausage. And you get sausage that’s seasoned perfectly for you and your family.

Turkey sausage, scrambled eggs, and toast

First of all, you need to combine all of the seasonings in a large bowl. Mix them up really well so you don’t wind up with too much of one thing in parts of the sausage.

Turkey sausage seasonings in a mixing bowl

Next, add the ground turkey. I usually start out mixing with a fork or spoon, but I almost always wind up using my hands. I usually keep some disposable gloves in the kitchen for times like this. That way, I can remove the gloves and toss them after I’m done.

After it’s well mixed, pinch off golf ball sized pieces of sausage and form them into patties. Place them in a skillet that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray. I even do this when I use a nonstick skillet. Or you can use butter. In fact, butter helps them brown more quickly.

Raw patties in a pan

Cook the patties on medium-high for about 6 minutes on each side. Since I make them 1/2 inch thick, that’s what I do.

Cooked patties in a pan

However, if you like them thicker cook them a little longer to make sure they’re done in the middle. Finally, I transfer the sausage patties to a plate with a paper towel to soak up excess grease. Then it’s time to serve. I love these little sausage patties with eggs and toast. I also enjoy them with waffles or pancakes.

Easy Breakfast Sausage Recipe

Don’t be intimidated by making your own sausage. Trust me when I say it’s not as difficult as you might think. Since I like some seasonings more than others, I can alter the amount of each one to suit my taste.

I prefer spicy sausage. However, when I have company, I alter it to suit their taste. For this reason, it’s better to make your own than buy it already made. Adjust the recipe according to how you and the people you’re serving like it.

What to Do with Leftover Turkey Sausage

If you don’t use all of the sausage for one meal, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Or put it in an airtight container.

Sausage in plastic wrap

I also like to make patties and separate them with waxed paper. You can store it in the fridge for a week or the freezer for a couple of months.

turkey sausage patties on a plate with eggs and toast

More Recipes

Breakfast just happens to be my favorite meal of the day. For that reason, I try to have some easy-to-make breakfast food in the fridge or freezer.

These basic chaffles are super easy to make. Or you can make a batch in advance, freeze them, and pop them into the toaster when you’re ready.

Chaffle with butter

I also like these yummy banana nut muffins with a coffee smoothie. Or these fun breakfast cookies that only have 3 ingredients.

You might also like these blackberry grits from Julia’s Simply Southern blog. For more information about grits, check out this “What are Grits?” post.

After learning about grits and how to make them, try this delicious cheesy grits casserole. It’s always a crowd pleaser around here. And it goes so well with homemade turkey sausage.

Baked grits casserole on a plate

When you need breakfast on the go, make these yummy oatmeal strawberry jam bars. They also make a great afternoon snack when you need a quick pick-me-up.

oatmeal strawberry jam bars on a cooling rack

Speaking of grabbing a yummy breakfast, you’ll want to try these wonderful blueberry muffins! I make them in my air fryer because it’s so quick and easy!

blueberry muffins

If you’ve never cooked bacon in an air fryer, it’s time to change that. It’s quick, easy, and always comes out crispy and delicious!

plate of air fried bacon

To go with your bacon, make these wonderful, fluffy scrambled eggs. Using my tips, you can make perfect scrambled eggs every time!

bowl of scrambled eggs

Delicious Homemade Sausage

Don’t be afraid to make your own sausage. Try a variety of seasonings to see which ones you and your family prefer. And not only make turkey sausage, but also make it with pork or chicken.

Yield: 8 servings

Turkey Sausage Recipe

Plate with turkey sausage, eggs, and toast

Turkey sausage is good for breakfast or when cooked in stews or soups.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of ground turkey
  • 1 teaspoon of ground sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon of thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

    1. In a large bowl, combine all of the seasonings and mix.
    2. Add the turkey and mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
    3. Form the meat into patties. You can make them as big or as little as you want, but I typically make them about 2-1/2” in diameter and 1/2" thick.
    4. Spray nonstick cooking spray in a skillet. Heat the skillet to medium-high.
    5. Cook the patties until they are browned on both sides and no longer pink in the middle. This takes about 10-12 minutes (6 minutes on each side), unless the patties are thicker.
    6. After they’re done, transfer them from the skillet to a paper towel.
    7. Now they’re ready to serve!

Notes

If you like your sausage extra spicy, add more cayenne pepper.

Add a tablespoon of cooking oil if you use 100% turkey breast so the sausage won't be dry.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 149Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 60mgSodium 181mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 14g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

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Esme Slabbert

Thursday 11th of July 2024

Amazing, love it, and the nutritional value = perfect. Found your post at Full Plate Thursday. My entries this week are numbered #40+41 Please join and share your posts with us https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/

Nikki

Thursday 7th of December 2023

Thank you for this recipe!!

Sophia

Monday 7th of November 2022

We did not like the ginger flavor, and the sage/thyme was too much. Second time I made these I omitted the ginger and used 1/4 tsp sage and thyme. I also upped the onion powder to 1 tsp and the garlic powder to 3/4 tsp. I also added 3/4 tsp black pepper. The first time I made these I used a mixing bowl, and the texture came out really tough. The second time, I lightly crumbled the meat out on a flat surface, sprinkled the spice blend on top (along with red pepper flakes), gently flipped over the meat and sprinkled remaining blend and red pepper flakes. I then gathered 3 oz of meat and gently formed patties. This kept them from becoming like hockey pucks. I cooked them for 4 minutes on each side as well. 3 oz portions make 7 patties.

Annalisa Lucas

Saturday 1st of April 2023

@southernhomeexpress, mine came out really tough and bland. I did omit the ginger as well but followed remaining recipe as suggested.

southernhomeexpress

Monday 7th of November 2022

Hi Sophia. Thank you for the detailed comment! Everyone likes different seasonings, which is why I like to make my own sausage with the spices we enjoy. I'm glad you found some you like.

Elissa S.

Sunday 31st of January 2021

Wow - this was so easy to make and so much better than anything I've bought or tried in a restaurant. Thanks for sharing!

southernhomeexpress

Sunday 31st of January 2021

Hi Elissa! I'm so glad you like it! Thank you so much for letting me know!

Miz Helen

Sunday 19th of July 2020

Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and congratulations on the awesome feature! Hope you are having a great day and come back to see us soon! Miz Helen

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