Homemade Breakfast Sausage

Introduction

Starting your day with a hearty homemade breakfast sausage is one of life's simple pleasures. The aroma of sizzling sausage patties or links perfuming the kitchen is downright intoxicating. While store-bought breakfast sausage certainly gets the job done, nothing compares to the flavor and texture of sausage you make right at home. From the blend of fresh herbs and spices to the optimal fat ratio, homemade sausage allows you to customize to your taste and dietary needs. Read on to learn all about crafting your own sensational breakfast sausage.

Benefits of Homemade

Making your own breakfast sausage has some major advantages over store-bought varieties. You can control exactly what goes into the sausage, avoiding preservatives, fillers, and artificial flavors. The texture and flavor also surpass anything from the grocery store deli counter. Other benefits include:

• Customize spice blends and salt content
• Use quality cuts of meat
• Make it lean by controlling fat ratio
• Avoid unwanted ingredients
• Tailor thickness and shape
• Save money

Key Ingredients

While sausage recipes can vary widely, a basic breakfast sausage contains just a handful of essential ingredients:

• Pork - The lean meat provides texture and bulk.
• Fat - Adds moisture and flavor (usually pork fat or butter).
• Spices and herbs - Impart flavor and aroma.
• Salt - Enhances overall taste.
• Pepper - Adds mild heat.

Choosing the Meat

The first step in making tender and juicy homemade sausage is selecting the right meat. Here are the best options for breakfast sausage:

Pork

Pork is the traditional choice for breakfast sausage. Opt for a mix of ground pork shoulder and pork belly for the perfect blend of fat to lean. Make sure the meat is very fresh.

Turkey or Chicken

For a lighter sausage, use ground turkey or chicken thigh meat. The lower fat content means you may need to compensate by adding a bit of butter or oil.

Game Meats

Venison, bison, elk or boar can make unique and flavorful sausage. Their lean yet dense texture takes well to bold spices.

Blends

Mixing a few types of ground meat together, like pork and turkey or beef and pork, allows you to achieve your ideal texture and fat content.

Choosing Ingredients and Flavors

One of the best parts of making your own sausage is experimenting with different flavor additions. Get creative with your favorite herbs, spices, and even mix-ins.

Herbs

Classic breakfast sausage contains sage, but you can also add herbs like thyme, rosemary, marjoram, parsley or oregano. Use dried or fresh chopped herbs.

Spices

Experiment with spices like cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, fennel seed, nutmeg or red pepper flakes.

Flavorings

Maple syrup, brown sugar or honey lend sweetness, while mustard adds tangy flavor. Try adding a bit of bourbon or beer for depth.

Mix-Ins

Grated cheese, chopped apples, cranberries, pecans or sun-dried tomatoes are delicious additions to breakfast sausage.

Keeping it Simple

For traditional breakfast sausage, keep the seasoning uncomplicated with just sage, salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar.

How to Make Homemade Breakfast Sausage

Step 1: Cut the Meat

If using meat chunks rather than pre-ground, first cut into small 1-inch cubes. This helps it grind more evenly.

Step 2: Grind the Meat

Grind the meat through a meat grinder or food processor until it achieves a fine, paste-like consistency.

Step 3: Mix in Fat

If the meat is very lean, mix in some added fat like diced pork belly, bacon fat, or butter. This keeps the sausage moist.

Step 4: Add Seasonings

Mix in all spices, herbs, salt, pepper and any other flavorings until well combined.

Step 5: Chill Mixture

Cover sausage mixture and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. This allows flavors to meld.

Step 6: Form into Patties or Links

Shape the chilled sausage into patties or stuff into casings to make links. Then cook as desired.

How to Cook Homemade Breakfast Sausage

Homemade sausage can be cooked just like store-bought varieties. Popular cooking methods include:

Pan Frying

Form sausage meat into patties and fry in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.

Baking

Arrange sausage patties or links on a baking sheet and bake at 400oF for 15-20 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Grilling

Oil the grates lightly and grill sausage patties or links over direct medium heat for 3-5 minutes per side.

Sautéing

Crumble raw sausage meat into a skillet and sauté over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Serving Ideas for Homemade Sausage

Homemade breakfast sausage is endlessly versatile. Some tasty ways to serve it include:

• Sausage patties, links or crumbles
• In breakfast sandwiches
• In omelets or breakfast burritos
• On pizza or flatbreads
• crumbled over soups or salads
• In pasta sauces or casseroles
• As a meatball filling
• As a stuffing for chicken, pork or fish

Storing and Freezing Homemade Sausage

Raw homemade sausage can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze sausage patties or links in a single layer on a parchment lined pan or plate. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags. Cooked sausage will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated and 2-3 months frozen.

Storage Tips

• Wrap tightly or use air-tight containers
• Avoid cross-contamination
• Label with date
• Freeze on a pan before bagging
• Thaw in refrigerator before use

FAQs

What fat ratio should I use?

Aim for 20-30% fat for balanced flavor and texture. Too little fat makes dry sausage.

Do I need to use a sausage stuffer?

No, you can simply form the mixture into patties or small balls rather than stuffing casings.

What is the best way to grind the meat?

Use a food processor, stand mixer meat grinder attachment, or an electric meat grinder for best results.

Can I make breakfast sausage vegetarian?

Yes, substitute the meat with chopped mushrooms, lentils, beans, or veggie crumbles.

Should I cook homemade sausage before freezing?

You can freeze either raw or cooked sausage. Freeze raw in flat layers then transfer to bags.

Conclusion

Making your own homemade breakfast sausage is deeply satisfying and results in the most flavorful, tender sausage around. With the freedom to select your own cuts of quality meat, customize the ideal blend of seasonings, and control the texture, you can craft sausage exactly to your taste. Keep a batch in the freezer so you can fry up hot homemade sausage any morning of the week!