Breakfast Sausage Patties Recipe (With Video)

Sausage Patties

4:12

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cook Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

35 mins

Servings:

Yield:

8 small patties

Making homemade 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 a store-bought alternative. All you need is the ground meat, a little garlic, dried thyme and sage, and some fennel seed, plus an egg white to bind the mixture.

Once you learn how to make these easy 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 experiment with the seasonings based on how you intend to use your sausage.

Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties on plate with eggs — Diana Chistruga

Why Make Your Own Sausage Patties?

By making your own breakfast sausage patties, you can control the ingredients that go into them—from the spices and amount of salt added to the type and fat content of the meat. Make them spicier by upping the black pepper and/or adding in some red pepper flakes or sweeter by mixing in a bit of maple syrup. If you don't eat pork, you can still make excellent sausage patties with beef, chicken, or turkey, or you can even make a plant-based version with a ground meat alternative.

Sausage Patties vs. Link Sausage

Unlike making link sausage, which must be stuffed into casings and requires special equipment, these homemade patties come together in a jiffy 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.

How to Make Homemade Sausage Patties Ahead

Raw patties: After shaping the raw patties, freeze them on a parchment-lined baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container and store in the freezer for up to three months. You can also refrigerate them, covered, for up two days. Raw patties can be cooked directly from frozen; just allow let them cook for approximately one to two additional minutes per side.

Cooked patties: Wrap stacks of cooked patties in plastic wrap, then stash them in a freezer bag or airtight container; they'll keep in the freezer for up to three months. Reheat frozen cooked patties in the microwave for about 30 seconds on high, or in a skillet on medium heat four to five minutes per side.

Directions

Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties - ingredients — Diana Chistruga

Combine 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.

Diana Chistruga
Form 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 cook.

Diana Chistruga

Diana Chistruga
Cook 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.

Diana Chistruga

Diana Chistruga
Serve:

Drain and serve immediately with pancakes, waffles or eggs.

How to Store Leftover Sausage Patties

Store leftover patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds, or in a skillet for about two minutes per side or until heated through.

Variations

For spicier sausage patties: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the other ingredients.

For a sweeter flavor: Add 1 tablespoon maple syrup before mixing.

Other ground meat to use: Instead of pork, you can use an equal amount of chicken, turkey, beef, or even a plant-based ground meat alternative. (If using chicken or turkey, opt for a blend of white and dark meat rather than breast meat for the best flavor and texture.)

Ways to Use Breakfast Sausage

We love these sausage patties served simply with eggs and toast or slipped into a breakfast sandwich, but there are so many other ways to put them to use throughout the day, including:

Crumbled into a breakfast strata with Swiss chard
Tucked into flaky pastries with scrambled eggs
Made into sausage-cheddar balls for an easy appetizer
Combined with potatoes in a creamy quiche
Rolled into make-ahead breakfast taquitos or burritos
Crumbled onto spicy nachos with beans and plenty of cheese
Added to biscuit dough along with Gruyère cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to use oil to cook sausage patties?

Yes, you will most likely need to use oil to cook sausage patties—the amount of oil needed depends on the fat content of the meat you used. Ground pork or beef 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.
Can you prevent sausage patties from falling apart when you cook them?

Yes, you can prevent sausage patties from falling apart when you cook them, which can happen if the mixture becomes too warm before it hits the pan. The meat 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. Kneading the mixture with your hands while mixing can also help the proteins bind together which, in turn, will help keep the patties from falling apart.
Can pork sausage patties be pink in the center and still be cooked through?

Yes, pork sausage patties can be pink in the center and still be cooked through. As long as the sausage pattie reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, it is safe to eat. If you don't have an instant-read thermometer, be sure to cook the patties for the recommended amount of time (about four minutes per side). Cutting into one should reveal pork that is opaque and solid in color.