Ground Turkey Sausage (Printable version)

Lean homemade turkey sausage seasoned with herbs and spices, ready in just 20 minutes for breakfast or any meal.

# What you'll need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground turkey, preferably thigh for more flavor

→ Spices & Seasonings

02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
04 - 1 tsp dried sage
05 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
06 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional for heat
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp onion powder

→ Herbs

10 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, optional

→ Other

11 - 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine ground turkey with all spices, seasonings, and fresh parsley if using. Mix gently until just combined; do not over-mix to maintain texture.
02 - Divide mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into patties, or leave loose for use in recipes. Patties should be evenly sized for consistent cooking.
03 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Ensure thorough cooking for food safety.
04 - Serve warm as breakfast sausage, in sandwiches, or crumble into scrambled eggs or pasta. Enjoy immediately or store for later use.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the breakfast sausage satisfaction without the heaviness of pork
  • Mixing up a batch takes literally ten minutes and costs half the price of premium sausages
02 -
  • Over-mixing makes tough, rubbery patties, so stop as soon as the spices look distributed
  • Using a thermometer changed everything for me, because overcooked turkey sausage is disappointingly dry
03 -
  • Wet your hands with cold water before shaping patties to prevent sticking
  • Let the formed patties chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before cooking for better browning