Homemade Pork Breakfast Sausage

Written by
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Diana Rattray
Updated 10/19/19
Homemade pork breakfast sausage

The Spruce

 
  • Total: 15 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 10 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
138 Calories
8g Fat
1g Carbs
15g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 138
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g 10%
Saturated Fat 3g 14%
Cholesterol 49mg 16%
Sodium 179mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Protein 15g
Calcium 16mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Homemade is better than store-bought, and this spiced pork sausage is no exception. It's easy to prepare with only a few ingredients, including ground pork and pantry spices. You can multiply this recipe, cook the sausage patties and freeze them for later.

This homemade pork sausage mixture makes wonderful breakfast sausage patties. Leave out the cayenne and red pepper flakes or use a little less if you want a milder sausage. Remember to cook ground pork to a minimum of 160 F, according to a​ food thermometer.

You can use freshly ground pork using a meat grinder or food processor. See the tips and variations for a sage sausage version.

1:06

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground pork
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
  • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar (or dark brown sugar, packed)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Optional: 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather ingredients.

    Homemade pork breakfast sausage ingredients
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  2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix with your hands until well blended.

    Combine all pork sausage ingredients
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  3. Shape into eight (2-ounce) patties and pan-fry the patties, turning to brown both sides, for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature is at least 160 F on a food thermometer.

    Shape sausage patties and fry
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  4. Serve with eggs or pancakes.

    Finished breakfast sausage patties
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  5. Enjoy your breakfast!

Tips

  • For even fresher sausage, grind pork loin or lean pork shoulder for this recipe with a meat grinder or mince it in the food processor.
  • The recipe is easily doubled, and the sausages freeze well.

Recipe Variations

  • For sage flavor, use 2 teaspoons of dried rubbed sage and omit the thyme, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes.