Clean and Simple Homemade Turkey Sausage

This clean and surprisingly simple to make homemade turkey sausage is a healthy way to start your morning. Loaded with sausage flavor and oh so delicious you may never buy sausage again.

In our house, sausage is one of our favorite breakfast foods. Unfortunately, many sausage brands are full of additives and fillers, and loaded with ingredients like corn syrup, dextrose, monosodium glutamate, artificial flavors, and natural flavors. While natural flavors don’t sound too bad, there is no transparency about what is in those “natural flavors”. If you have a food allergy, that can be dangerous. Here is an article that explains more about natural flavors https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/01/well/eat/are-natural-flavors-really-natural.html.

When we embarked on our clean eating journey, sausage was one of the foods that we had to take off the table. Until, I found out that I could make my own. It is incredibly easy and inexpensive to make, especially when you can get ground turkey on sale. I stock up and make big batches.

Isn’t it easier to just buy it at the grocery store?

Some would say yes, but I prefer making my own sausage because I know what is going in it. Making this clean and simple recipe I am in control of the sodium, sugar, and spices. I don’t have to worry about chemicals, artificial ingredients, or those mystery “natural ingredients” that may trigger an unwanted reaction. Did I mention that it is so darn quick and easy too. If I did, it is worth mentioning again.

Can I make this ahead and freeze it?

Absolutely, I like to get three to five pounds at a time (especially when it is on sale) to make this sausage. I will make breakfast patties or divide it up in one pound packs and freeze it.

For the patties, I separate them with parchment paper and put them in a freezer bag or container. The parchment paper helps to keep them separated so they don’t stick together. Attempting to pull frozen patties apart is no fun. When I am ready, I just pull out what I need, let it thaw, and cook it.

The patties and loose sausage will keep for about six months in the freezer.

Can I use other kinds of meat to make the sausage?

Yes, chicken, pork, and venison work well too.

What fat content do you use for this recipe?

I usually use ground turkey that is 85% lean with 15% fat for this recipe. I find that the patties have a tendency to be drier if I use anything much leaner, but you can certainly use a leaner ground turkey if you want. You just have to make sure that you watch the sausages as they cook so that you don’t overcook them and they dry out,

What special diets is this clean and simple homemade turkey sausage compatible with?

Clean eating

Dairy Free

Gluten Free

Keto

Paleo

Whole 30

Ingredients

Ground turkey– The mild flavor of turkey is perfect for this easy to make sausage recipe. It really lets the flavor of the spices stand out. But, sometimes turkey can be dry. So, in addition to using an 85% lean turkey. Don’t overmix, try to be as gentle as possible when mixing in the spices and forming the patties, the less you handle the meat the moister the patties will be.

Poultry seasoning– Adding poultry seasoning is my little hack for making this sausage. It is a mixture of sage, thyme, marjoram, rosemary, nutmeg, and black pepper. Since these are some of the typical spices used in making sausage, I just add poultry seasoning instead. It cuts down on time and the sausage is still delicious, So I guess there is no harm. no fowl (ooh that one was pretty bad).

Himalayan pink salt– I prefer using pink Himalayan Salt because it has a saltier taste than table salt (but less sodium) and table salt is highly refined and mixed with chemicals to keep it from clumping and caking together.

Red pepper flakes– We like our sausage with a little kick (ok a lot of kick). So, I add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when making this sausage, but you can adjust it to your preferred level of spiciness or omit it if you don’t like the heat.

Black pepper-adds just a little extra spice.

How to make Clean and Simple Turkey Sausage

Sprinkle the salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, and the poultry seasoning over the ground turkey.

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Gently mix the spices into the ground meat

Divide the sausage mixture into six patties making sure not to over mix

Cook in an oiled skillet on the stove for three to four minutes on each side

It is as simple as that, serve it up and enjoy!

If you try this clean and simple homemade turkey sausage recipe, let us know if you like it and what you think by leaving a comment and ★ star rating. Your feedback is helpful for us and our community, Thanks so much!