Homemade Turkey Sausage
Making homemade turkey sausage is easier than you might think. With ground turkey, a handful of pantry spices, and about 20 minutes, you can create flavorful turkey breakfast sausage patties that are perfect for busy mornings, meal prep, or breakfast sandwiches.
This homemade turkey sausage recipe skips the complicated steps and special equipment, making it a great option for beginner home cooks. The simple seasoning blend gives the patties a classic breakfast sausage flavor with just the right balance of savory herbs and smoky spices, and you can easily adjust the heat level to fit your family’s tastes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple pantry ingredients. Everything in this recipe is easy to find and you’ll possibly already have them in your kitchen.
- Ready in about 20 minutes. Mix, shape, and cook for a quick homemade breakfast.
- Easy to customize. Keep it mild, add extra heat, or stir in a little maple syrup for a sweeter sausage.
- Perfect for meal prep. Make a batch ahead of time and enjoy homemade turkey sausage throughout the week.
- No special skills required. If you can make a hamburger patty, you can make this homemade turkey sausage.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl for combining the turkey and seasonings
- Measuring spoons for the spice blend
- Large skillet or cast iron pan for cooking the sausage patties
- Spatula for flipping
- Instant-read thermometer to ensure the sausage reaches 165°F
Quick Ingredient Overview
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this homemade turkey sausage recipe, and most of them are pantry staples. Check out the printable recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact measurements.
- Ground Turkey: The base of the recipe. Ground turkey creates a lighter breakfast sausage while still staying juicy and flavorful.
- Olive Oil & Chicken Broth: These ingredients help keep the sausage tender and prevent the lean turkey from drying out.
- Smoked Paprika, Thyme & Sage: This combination gives the sausage its classic breakfast flavor with a hint of smokiness.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but a simple way to add a little heat. Leave them out for a milder sausage or add a little maple syrup for a sweet and savory variation.
How to Make Homemade Turkey Sausage
Step 1: Combine the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add 1 pound of ground turkey, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon dried sage, and ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
Step 2: Mix Gently
Using your hands or a sturdy spoon, mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the sausage dense instead of tender.
Step 3: Shape the Sausage
Form the mixture into small breakfast sausage patties or roll into logs if you want more of a traditional sausage shape.
Step 4: Cook
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the turkey sausage for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If adding maple syrup for a sweeter sausage, reduce the cooking temperature slightly since the sugars can caramelize more quickly.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Let the sausage rest for a couple of minutes before serving to help the juices redistribute.
Tips for Success | Recipe Notes
- Don’t overmix the turkey. Mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Overworking the meat can make the sausage dense instead of tender.
- Keep the patties the same size. Uniform patties cook more evenly and help prevent some from drying out before others are done.
- Cook over medium heat. Cooking too quickly can brown the outside before the center reaches a safe temperature.
- Use a meat thermometer. Turkey sausage should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add extra crushed red pepper flakes for heat or a little maple syrup for a sweet and savory breakfast sausage.
- Lower the heat if using maple syrup. The natural sugars can caramelize quickly, so a slightly lower cooking temperature helps prevent burning.
Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store cooked turkey sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked or uncooked sausage patties for up to 3 months. Place parchment paper between the patties to prevent sticking.
Make Ahead
- Overnight: Mix and shape the sausage patties up to 24 hours in advance, then cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.
- Long-Term: Freeze uncooked turkey sausage patties for a convenient make-ahead breakfast. When ready to cook, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or cook from frozen over medium-low heat, adding a few extra minutes as needed until the patties reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Reheat
- Cooked Sausage: Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in 20 to 30 second intervals until warmed through.
- Frozen Cooked Sausage: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in a skillet or microwave until hot.
What to Serve with Homemade Turkey Sausage
- Add this homemade turkey sausage to Breakfast Quesadillas for an easy, hearty meal that’s perfect for busy mornings.
- Serve it alongside Cinnamon Roll Pancakes for a sweet and savory combination.
- Serve it alongside Breakfast Potatoes for a classic diner-style breakfast that everyone will love.
- Pair it with scrambled eggs for a simple, protein-packed breakfast.
- Build a breakfast sandwich with eggs and cheese for an easy grab-and-go meal.
- Round out your plate with fresh fruit for a light and refreshing side.
- Enjoy it with Biscuits or toast for a classic homemade breakfast.
Variations & Add-ins
- Maple Turkey Sausage. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for a sweet and savory breakfast sausage. If using maple syrup, cook the patties over medium-low heat since the sugars can caramelize quickly.
- Spicy Turkey Sausage. Increase the crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Ground Chicken Sausage. Swap the ground turkey for an equal amount of ground chicken for a slightly milder flavor. Follow the recipe as written and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Cheddar Turkey Sausage. Mix in ½ to 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese for an extra savory twist. Sharp cheddar works especially well with the smoky paprika and herbs.
- Crumbled Turkey Sausage. Instead of forming patties, cook the seasoned meat in a skillet and crumble it for breakfast scrambles, breakfast quesadillas, or breakfast casseroles.
FAQ’s | Frequently Asked Questions
Turkey sausage has a similar savory flavor but is usually lighter and less rich than traditional pork sausage. The seasoning blend helps create that classic breakfast sausage taste.
Ground turkey with a little fat will produce the juiciest sausage patties. Look for 90/10 or 93/7 ground turkey, which has enough fat to keep the sausage tender without being greasy. Very lean options, such as 99% lean ground turkey, can dry out more easily during cooking.
The color isn’t always the best indicator of doneness. The safest way to check is with an instant-read thermometer. Turkey sausage should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
In most breakfast recipes, yes. Turkey sausage can be used as a substitute for pork sausage in patties, crumbles, and casseroles.
Dried sage, thyme, garlic, onion, and black pepper are some of the traditional seasonings that give breakfast sausage its familiar savory taste.
Yes. The base recipe is naturally dairy free. Simply skip the cheddar cheese if making one of the variations.
No. This recipe is designed to be simple and beginner friendly. Since the sausage is formed into patties or cooked as crumbles, there is no need for sausage casings, a sausage stuffer, or other specialty equipment.
Related Recipes
Looking for more breakfast inspiration? These easy recipes pair perfectly with homemade turkey sausage and help turn a simple morning meal into a complete breakfast spread.
Final Thoughts | On a personal note…
Since my husband doesn’t eat pork and I rarely eat beef, ground turkey has become a staple in our freezer. Over the years, I’ve found all kinds of ways to use it, and this homemade turkey sausage is one of my favorites because it gives us a delicious alternative to traditional pork sausage at breakfast.
I love that this recipe relies on simple pantry spices and ingredients we almost always have on hand. Whether we’re serving it with eggs and breakfast potatoes or adding it to breakfast quesadillas, it’s an easy way to make a homemade breakfast without a lot of extra work.
Homemade Turkey Sausage
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Large skillet or cast iron pan
- Spatula
- Instant-read thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
- 1 tablespoon chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, olive oil, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried sage, and crushed red pepper flakes, if using.
- Mix the ingredients until they are just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the sausage dense.
- Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape into 8 breakfast sausage patties. Alternatively, leave the mixture loose if you plan to cook it as crumbled sausage.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the sausage rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For the juiciest sausage, use 90/10 or 93/7 ground turkey.
- If adding maple syrup, reduce the heat slightly since the sugars can caramelize quickly.
- Ground chicken can be substituted for the ground turkey.
- This recipe can also be cooked as crumbled sausage for breakfast quesadillas, breakfast casseroles, or egg scrambles.
- Uncooked patties can be frozen for up to 3 months.
