In less than ten minutes, this turkey sausage recipe can be prepared with just six ingredients. It’s tasty, nutritious, and juicy, and it makes a great breakfast sausage.
We love cooking with turkey. It’s low in saturated fat, extremely lean, and full of protein.
My favorite use for it is to make breakfast sausage with turkey. Table of Contents.
Turkey sausage, a healthier alternative to traditional pork sausage, often faces the challenge of dryness. However, with the right techniques and ingredients, you can create moist and flavorful turkey sausage that rivals its pork counterpart. This comprehensive guide explores the secrets to achieving juicy turkey sausage, drawing insights from two expert sources: So Food LA and The Big Man’s World.
Key Ingredients for Moist Turkey Sausage
- Ground turkey: Opt for ground turkey meat with dark meat included, as it provides more moisture than ground turkey breast.
- Finely-grated onion: The grated onion creates moisture pockets within the sausage during cooking.
- Olive oil or sunflower oil: Adding oil to the pan ensures even cooking and prevents dryness.
- Seasonings: Experiment with different spices like fennel seeds, thyme, paprika, and sage to enhance flavor.
- Brown sugar or maple syrup: A touch of sweetness balances the savory and salty flavors, creating a more complex taste profile.
Essential Tips for Moist and Juicy Turkey Sausage
- Avoid over-mixing: Over-mixing can result in a tougher sausage texture. Gently combine the ingredients until just incorporated.
- Use an ice cream scoop for portioning: This method helps create evenly sized patties, ensuring consistent cooking.
- Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lead to uneven cooking and dryness.
- Cook over medium heat: High heat can cause the sausage to dry out quickly.
- Use a meat thermometer: Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
Two Delicious Turkey Sausage Recipes
So Food LA’s Moist and Juicy Turkey Sausage Recipe
This recipe emphasizes the importance of using ground turkey with dark meat and finely-grated onion for moisture It also provides detailed instructions on forming patties and cooking them to perfection
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 1/2 tablespoons grated onion
- 1/2 garlic clove, minced
- 12 ounces organic ground turkey (not ground turkey breast)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
- Olive oil or sunflower oil for frying
Instructions:
- Toast fennel seeds in a pan, grind, and set aside.
- Combine ground fennel seeds, grated onion, minced garlic, ground turkey, brown sugar, thyme, paprika, sea salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional) in a bowl.
- Mix gently until just combined.
- Use an ice cream scoop to portion out patties onto parchment paper.
- Cover patties with plastic wrap and press them into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Fry patties in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until nicely seared.
- Serve immediately with eggs or your favorite breakfast sides.
The Big Man’s World’s Turkey Sausage Recipe
This recipe focuses on simplicity and uses just six ingredients to create flavorful turkey sausage It also offers variations for baking and adding cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
- Form the mixture into six patties.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook patties for 2-3 minutes per side, flipping halfway through.
- Serve immediately or store for later use.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where to buy turkey sausage?
Frozen turkey sausage patties can be found at most major grocery stores in the frozen food aisle (breakfast section). Some butchers may also sell uncooked turkey sausage patties.
2. Is turkey sausage considered processed meat?
Homemade turkey sausage is not considered processed meat as it does not contain fillers, thickeners, or preservatives. However, commercially prepared turkey sausage may contain these additives, so checking the ingredient list is crucial.
3. How to store leftover turkey sausage?
Leftover turkey sausage can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or frozen for up to two months.
4. How to reheat turkey sausage?
Reheat turkey sausage in the microwave for 30-40 seconds or in a non-stick pan until heated through.
Creating moist and juicy turkey sausage is achievable with the right ingredients, techniques, and recipes. By following the tips and instructions outlined in this guide, you can enjoy delicious and flavorful turkey sausage that rivals its pork counterpart. Experiment with different seasonings and variations to find your perfect turkey sausage recipe.
Recipe tips and variations
- Use a meat thermometer. You don’t want to overcook the turkey sausage because it’s lean meat. I advise checking the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to avoid this from happening. Ready-to-eat turkey should reach 165F.
- Bake the sausage. Prepare the turkey sausage according to the recipe if you’d rather bake it than fry it. After lining and greasing a baking sheet, transfer them to the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the sausage’s internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- Change up the seasonings. For added spice, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. To enhance the smokiness, add smoked paprika and a small amount of liquid smoke.
- Add cheese. Since cheese is always a good choice, stir in 1/4 cup of your preferred shredded cheese. I personally love mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese.
What is turkey sausage?
Turkey sausage is made with ground turkey, spices, and fat (usually olive oil) and can be purchased in patties or links. It has a milder, less meaty flavor and is lower in calories than other sausages, much like chicken sausage.
Although supermarkets sell pre-packaged turkey sausage, preparing it at home is incredibly simple and tastes far better. Here are some reasons why I LOVE this recipe:
- Healthy and low calorie. Turkey sausage is an excellent addition to a regular diet because it is low in fat and high in protein. I enjoy using them to make my family’s homemade sausage McMuffins!
- Cost-effective. Making your own is far less expensive than paying more than twice as much for pre-made ones. Additionally, you avoid all of the thickeners and additives that store-bought brands use.
- Ready in 6 minutes. Set your timer when the sausage hits the pan. Three minutes on each side, and you are done! .
- Tastier than other kinds of sausage. It lacks the strong meaty flavors that can overtake a dish, in contrast to pork sausage!
These turkey sausage patties are my favorite to use for breakfast sandwiches or as a component of a breakfast plate. For a filling breakfast, serve it with eggs (Turkish style, over-easy, over-medium, or over-hard).
There are just six basic ingredients needed for this recipe, most of which are pantry staples. Here is what you’ll need:
- Ground turkey– Lean ground turkey or extra lean ground turkey. The higher-fat cuts wind up being greasy and soggy, so I don’t recommend them.
- Olive oil: Even when using lean meat, adding oil keeps the patties juicy and moist in the middle.
- Kosher salt and black pepper– To taste.
- Dried sage– A key spice to enhance the peppery flavors. It’s also the secret ingredient used in McDonald’s sausage!.
- Garlic powder: It substitutes fresh garlic for a milder flavor.
- A small amount of either brown sugar OR maple syrup can be added to balance out the savory and salty flavors. Trust me, it makes all the difference.