Take some time to make breakfast sausage seasoning. You can use it to make your favorite recipes taste like breakfast sausages, even if they don’t have any sausage in them.
Note: Below you’ll find a recipe for a full 1/2 cup (4oz. ) batch of breakfast sausage seasoning. If you only need a little, there is also a recipe below that makes just 2 tablespoons. We hope you find this helpful!.
I also like breakfast sausage seasoning because it tastes great and can be used in other recipes. When you do, it will make anything you add it to taste like sausages!.
Sausage seasoning is an essential blend of herbs and spices that gives sausage its distinctive flavor Whether you are making breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, chorizo, bratwurst, or any other type of sausage, having a good seasoning blend is key But have you ever wondered exactly what goes into these tasty mixes? Let’s take a look at the most common ingredients used in sausage seasonings and why they are included.
The Basics – Salt, Pepper, and Sugar
Most sausage seasoning mixes start with salt, black pepper, and sugar The salt enhances flavor while also helping to preserve the sausage Black pepper adds spice and warmth. Sugar balances out the other flavors and also helps to tenderize the meat.
While salt, pepper, and sugar form the base, the specific amounts of each vary based on the type of sausage. Breakfast sausage tends to be a little sweeter, while Italian sausage uses less sugar. Pepper levels also differ, with more pepper added to hot Italian sausage.
Herbs and Spices
Beyond the core ingredients, herbs and spices are essential for building unique sausage flavor profiles. Here are some commonly used ones:
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Sage – The distinctive flavor of breakfast sausage comes mainly from sage. It has an earthy, slightly minty taste.
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Fennel seed – This anise-flavored spice is a key part of Italian sausage seasoning, though a smaller amount is also nice in breakfast blends.
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Marjoram – Similar to oregano, marjoram provides a subtle background note of woodsy flavor.
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Thyme – Often used along with sage, thyme has lemon and mint notes that pair nicely with pork.
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Oregano – The mild grassy taste of oregano works well in Italian sausage.
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Garlic and onion – Garlic powder and onion powder enhance flavor while also working as preservatives.
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Red pepper flakes – These add a touch of heat and a bacon-like smokiness.
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Nutmeg – Just a pinch of nutmeg enhances the warmth of a breakfast sausage.
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Ginger – Ground ginger can provide subtle spice to kielbasa and other Eastern European sausages.
Secret Ingredients
A few unexpected ingredients help make homemade sausage extra delicious.
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Mustard – Dry mustard boosts the flavor of pork sausage and adds texture.
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Coriander – The lemony taste of ground coriander works well in chorizo seasoning.
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Cinnamon – A small amount of cinnamon enhances the sweetness of breakfast sausage.
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Cloves – Used sparingly, ground cloves add warmth to breakfast blends.
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Cayenne – A touch of cayenne pepper kicks up the heat level.
Meat, Fat, and Binders
While seasoning gets all the attention, the meat itself is obviously a key component of sausage. The best sausages use high-quality meat containing both lean meat and fat. The ideal ratios vary based on the type of sausage.
In addition to meat and fat, sausage usually contains binders and fillers. These help retain moisture and keep the sausage from crumbling. Common binders include:
- Breadcrumbs
- Milk powder
- Cornstarch
- Flour
When making your own sausage at home, you can adjust these components to achieve your perfect texture and flavor.
Pre-Mixed vs. Homemade Blends
While pre-mixed commercial seasoning blends are convenient, homemade mixes let you customize the flavor. You can adjust spice levels, include your favorite herbs, and leave out anything you don’t like.
Making your own blend also allows you to use fresh spices. Pre-mixed seasonings often contain spices that have lost some of their potency over time.
When creating homemade sausage seasoning, it’s helpful to start with a basic recipe and then tweak it to suit your tastes. Common adjustments include:
- Adding more or less salt, sugar, and pepper
- Increasing/decreasing certain herbs or spices
- Adding extra garlic or onion powder
- Omitting an ingredient you dislike
With a homemade blend, you can perfectly season your sausage.
How Much to Use?
To get the right sausage flavor, you need the correct amount of seasoning. As a general rule of thumb:
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For breakfast sausage, use 1-2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground meat.
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For Italian sausage, use around 1 tablespoon per pound.
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For chorizo and herb-heavy sausages, use 2 tablespoons or more per pound.
Always mix the seasoning evenly throughout the meat before cooking. And do a test patty before making a whole batch. Tweak the seasoning if needed to find your ideal blend.
Storing Your Seasoning
Like the spices they contain, homemade seasoning blends have a limited shelf life. To maximize freshness:
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Store in an airtight container away from light and moisture. A jar or reusable plastic bag works well.
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Keep in a cool, dark place. The fridge is ideal if you have space.
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Use within 2-3 months for the best flavor.
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Consider freezing any extra to extend the shelf life.
With proper storage, your homemade blend will stay tasty for months to come.
Sample Recipes
If you want to whip up your own sausage seasoning but aren’t sure where to start, try one of these recipes:
All-Purpose Breakfast Sausage Seasoning
Makes about 1/4 cup
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1⁄2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground sage
- 1 tablespoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Flavorful Italian Sausage Seasoning
Makes about 3 tablespoons
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, crushed
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Spicy Chorizo Seasoning
Makes about 1/4 cup
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Use these recipes as a jumping off point for creating your own custom blends. Adjust and experiment with different ingredient combinations until you find your perfect mix.
The Takeaway
While we often take them for granted, sausage seasonings are complex blends that make these savory meats so robust and flavourful. By understanding the ingredients and best practices, you can create homemade mixes that make your sausages sing. For any sausage lover, delving into the world of seasoning is a fun and rewarding endeavor.
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Video: How To Make Sausage Seasoning And Sausage Patties
Scroll down to make the full recipe for Sausage Seasoning. This way, you can keep a batch in your pantry and use it whenever you want. But I have information below for you if you only need a small amount to use in a recipe right now or if you just want to know how much of each ingredient to add directly to something you’re cooking so that it tastes like sausage.
Keep in mind that this recipe and the small batches all have salt in them, so you probably won’t want to add anything else with salt or more salt.
This is how to make about 2 tablespoons of the seasoning. For reference that is enough seasoning for about 3/4 to 1 pound of ground meat.
| To Make 2 Tablespoons of Breakfast Sausage Seasoning, Combine: |
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| • 2 tsp. brown sugar, packed • 1 and 1/2 tsp. dried sage • 1 and 1/2 tsp. salt • 1/2 tsp. black pepper • 1/8 tsp. garlic powder • 1/8 tsp. dried thyme • a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) • a very small pinch of cloves (optional) |
To Add Directly to the Food You’re Cooking: Add some brown sugar. Add one-third as much of dried sage and of salt. Then go in with a pinch of black pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme. A pinch of cayenne is optional.
So those are the small batches of the seasoning, the full recipe is below. That sounds great! I can’t wait for you to try it, whether you’re making sausages or just want everything to taste like sausages (who doesn’t?). I’m sure you’ll enjoy this mix! Here are all of our other homemade seasoning mixes.
If you like the idea of making your own Breakfast Sausage Seasoning, you will love making other sausage seasoning mixed together. If you use these to make sausage, you can also add that flavor to other foods you cook. They’re wonderful mixes to have on hand!.
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Southern-style Breakfast sausages have a delicious distinctive flavor. So, if you add the seasoning blend to other dishes, it gives them a bit of that feeling. It can be used to season ground beef while it’s cooking or added to stews or soups.
It’s great on a lot of different things. Sage, thyme, garlic, brown sugar, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and a little ground cloves.
Note that there is salt in this mixture. Be careful not to add it to things that you’ve already salted. Or, make a batch without the salt and know that you’ll need to add salt if you use it in something that doesn’t already have salt.
Breakfast Sausage Seasoning Blend ~ Tasty Sausage Seasoning Recipe ~ DIY Sausage Seasoning
What is in sausage seasoning?
Ask any cook what’s in sausage seasoning, and you’re probably going to get a different response from each one. However, most homemade sausage blends include black pepper and salt at a bare minimum.
Can oregano be used in cooking and seasoning?
Oregano is a versatile aromatic herb. It can be used for cooking, seasoning, making teas and drinks that not only have a pleasant aroma but also bring many health benefits.
Do you know the basics of sausage seasoning?
When it comes to creating delicious sausages, mastering the art of sausage seasoning is essential. Understanding the basics of sausage seasoning will help you achieve mouthwatering results every time. It all starts with selecting the right combination of spices and herbs to bring out the desired flavors in your sausages.
What is the main ingredient a sausage?
The main ingredient in any sausage recipe is ground pork, which you can get from the local butcher or the grocery store. Mixed with the homemade sausage seasoning mix mentioned below and you will have a delicious meal without any unnecessary ingredients.