Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties

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These easy homemade patties can be made ahead of time and frozen or refrigerated.

Yield:
8 small patties

Making pork sausage patties isn't time-consuming or difficult—and if you use best-quality ground pork, you'll really notice the difference in taste compared to store-bought breakfast sausage patties. All you need is the ground meat, a little garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, and fennel, plus an egg white to bind the patties, and vegetable oil for cooking them.

Once you learn how to make sausage patties, you may want to try out this recipe with different kinds of ground meat (such as turkey, chicken, lamb, wild game, or a blend of two or more kinds) or to experiment with the seasonings based on how you intend to use your sausage.

Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties on plate with eggs

Diana Chistruga

Sausage Patties vs. Link Sausage

Unlike making link sausage, which must be stuffed into casings and requires special equipment, these homemade patties come together quickly and only require your hands to shape them. Because they’re quick and easy, you can make sausage patties on demand for breakfast or brunch. Just allow 15 minutes for the flavors to meld before you form the patties. You can also make them ahead of time and store in the refrigerator or freezer. 

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 tablespoon dried sage, crumbled

  • ¾ teaspoon dried thyme

  • ½ teaspoon dried fennel, crushed

  • Pinch of ground nutmeg

  • 1 ½ teaspoons coarse salt

  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 large egg white

  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Directions

Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties - ingredients

Diana Chistruga

  1. Combine the ingredients:

    Mix together the pork, garlic, sage, thyme, fennel, nutmeg, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the egg white and combine thoroughly. Cover and chill for at least 15 minutes.

    Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties - mix

    Diana Chistruga

  2. Form the patties:

    To easily form the sausage patties, rinse your hands in cold water. Divide the mixture into eighths and shape each portion into a 2 1/2-inch disk.

    Patties can be made to this point and refrigerated or frozen until ready to use.

    Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties - balls

    Diana Chistruga

    Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties - patties

    Diana Chistruga

  3. Cook the patties:

    Heat a skillet over high heat, and then swirl in the oil. Fry the sausages on both sides until completely cooked through and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.

    Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties - flip in pan

    Diana Chistruga

    Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties - in pan

    Diana Chistruga

  4. Serve:

    Drain and serve immediately with pancakes, waffles or eggs.

    Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties on plate with eggs

    Diana Chistruga

Storing, Freezing, and Reheating Sausage Patties

In the refrigerator, raw sausage patties can be stored for up to two days; cooked sausage patties will keep for up to four days.

In the freezer, raw or cooked sausage patties will keep for up to three months. Raw patties can be cooked directly from frozen; just allow them to cook for approximately one to two additional minutes per side.

Wrap cooked sausage patties individually in plastic wrap and then seal in a zip-top bag before freezing. Frozen cooked patties can be reheated in the microwave for about 30 seconds on high, or in a skillet on medium heat four to five minutes on each side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to use oil to cook sausage patties?

The amount of oil needed to cook sausage patties depends on the fat content of the meat you used. Ground pork with a higher percentage of fat may need little or no oil in the pan. But lean ground pork, as well as ground turkey and chicken, will need a more generous amount of oil in the pan to prevent burning and sticking.

Why do my sausage patties fall apart?

Sausage patties may fall apart if the raw mixture gets too warm before you cook it. The mixture contains both fat and water, which remain emulsified as long as it stays cold, but can begin to separate if it warms up before it’s cooked. If your patties seem to be falling apart, chill them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up before cooking.  

Can sausage patties be pink in the center and still be cooked through?

Sausage may appear pink in the middle even when fully cooked. As long as it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, it is safe to eat.

Ways to Use Breakfast Sausage:

We love sausage patties on our breakfast tables, served with eggs and toast or tucked into a breakfast sandwich. But there are so many other ways to use homemade sausage at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anywhere in between. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

For Breakfast and Brunch:

In Pizza and Pasta:

As Snacks and Appetizers:

From the book Mad Hungry by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Artisan Books).

Updated by
Jennifer Anderson

Jennifer is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

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