This shortcut recipe for Breakfast Sausage Patties is easy to make, and takes regular pork sausage to a new level.
What is breakfast sausage?
Breakfast sausage (also known as country sausage) is a fresh sausage made with pork, salt and seasonings.
The sausage can be formed into links or patties (or rounds).
Why you'll love this recipe
This recipe is simple to make and go well in Sausage & Egg Breakfast Sandwiches.
Using store-bought breakfast sausage links takes the guesswork out of the ground pork to fat ratio.
Of course, you can make them using ground pork and fat, and add your own seasonings.
Easily tailor the flavor of the sausages by adding various spices and seasonings.
This one is flavored with fennel seed, paprika and red pepper flakes.
Steaming the sausage patties with a little water ensures that they are thoroughly cooked and doesn't dry them out.
Ingredients you'll need
- breakfast sausage links: I used a combination of maple breakfast sausage and regular breakfast sausage, but you can use whatever you like
- fennel: you can use ground fennel or fennel seed
- paprika: adds a little red color and flavor
- red pepper flakes: optional, omit if you don't like spicy
How to make the breakfast sausage patties
Remove the casing from the pork sausages and place into a large bowl.
Add in the fennel, paprika and red pepper flakes. (Or other spices).
Thoroughly incorporate the spices into the sausage mixture using your hands.
Slightly wet your hands and form the sausage mixture into patties, about 2.5-3" in diameter.
Place the patties onto a plate.
How to cook the sausage patties
Heat up a skillet or frying pan over medium high heat.
Add a teaspoon of oil to the pan. (You can omit this if your breakfast sausages are higher in fat).
Add the sausage patties to the pan in a single layer and fry for about 2 minutes on side, before flipping.
Pour in a little water (about ¼ C) and cover with a lid to fully cook through, another 5-6 minutes.
Remove the lid and let the residual water evaporate.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160F.
Remove the sausage patties and place onto paper towel to drain.
Other ways to cook sausage patties
There are many ways to cook sausage:
- grill on the BBQ
- fry in a skillet
- microwave
- bake in the oven
How to serve
Serve the Breakfast Sausage Patties as part of a breakfast, brunch or lunch.
Enjoy with scrambled eggs, tater tots, croissants, fluffy pancakes, earl grey waffles.
Or sandwich between English muffins in a Sausage & Egg Breakfast Sandwich.
What to do with leftovers
Crumble the sausage patties for sausage gravy.
Use the sausage in a baked casserole.
Add the leftover sausage to pasta, or stuffing.
How to store
You can store the cooked breakfast sausage patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
The cooked pork sausage patties freeze beautifully as well.
Store in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag, for up to 3 months.
How to reheat
Reheat the sausage patties by baking them in the oven in a single layer at 350F for 15-20 minutes, or cover and microwave for 1-2 minutes, until completely heated through.
Other variations
Feel free to customize and experiment with different flavors.
Try adding:
- minced or powdered garlic
- maple syrup
- black pepper
- fresh herbs: sage/thyme/rosemary
Expert tips
Note that the sausage patties will shrink a little after cooking, similar to making hamburgers.
Keep a bowl of water beside you to form the patties. If your hands get sticky, just dab your hands in water.
Other brunch recipes you may like
Be sure to check out these recipes:
Sausage & Egg Breakfast Sandwiches
Earl Grey Waffles with Mixed Berries
Breakfast Turkey & Egg Croissants
Raspberry White Chocolate Earl Grey Scones
Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!
Shortcut Breakfast Sausage Patties
For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs breakfast sausage casings removed
- 2 tablespoon fennel seed
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to your taste
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
For key visual process steps, refer to the body of the blog post.
Make the sausage patties:
- Remove the casing from the pork sausages and place into a large bowl.
- Add in the fennel, paprika and red pepper flakes. (Or other spices).
- Thoroughly incorporate the spices into the sausage mixture using your hands.
- Slightly wet your hands and form the sausage mixture into patties, about 2.5-3" in diameter.
- Place the patties onto a plate.
Cook the sausage patties:
- Heat up a skillet or frying pan over medium high heat.
- Add a teaspoon of oil to the pan. (You can omit this if your breakfast sausages are higher in fat).
- Add the sausage patties to the pan in a single layer and fry for about 2 minutes on side, before flipping.
- Pour in a little water (about ¼ C) and cover with a lid to fully cook through, another 5-6 minutes.
- Remove the lid and let the residual water evaporate.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Remove the sausage patties and place onto paper towel to drain.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.
David @ Spiced
What a great idea to use links as the base for this recipe! I do enjoy breakfast sausage patties, but I try to avoid eating them too often...usually just around the holidays. I'm loving the idea of being able to tailor the spices in this homemade version!
Michelle
Definitely an easy way to amplify the flavour in the sausages, thanks David! 🙂