If you enjoy this Turkey Breakfast Sausage recipe and want a whole-bird option, try the tutorial on “How to Smoke a Turkey.”
Turkey Breakfast Sausage has become a morning lifesaver for our family. It’s quick to prepare, satisfies the need for a hearty protein in the morning, and keeps bacon available for other meals.
As someone who isn’t a morning person, feeding five hungry kids is a challenge. Cereal fills them temporarily, but they need something more substantial to last until lunch. That’s where this turkey sausage shines: it’s easy, flavorful, and holds up well through the morning.
The base is simple: ground turkey, a little maple or brown sugar, and a mix of common spices and herbs. No weird preservatives, nitrates, or nitrites—just wholesome ingredients that make a better option than many commercial breakfast sausages.
This recipe is economical, nutritious, and forgiving to prepare. Below are a few tips that make assembly and storage especially convenient.
Turkey Breakfast Sausage
Mix gently until the spices are evenly distributed without warming the meat. A ChopStir or similar tool is useful for breaking up ground meat and working in seasonings; otherwise a sturdy spoon or spatula works. If you use your hands, move quickly to avoid transferring heat to the meat.
For sweetening, maple sugar is ideal because it gives a clear maple flavor perfect for breakfast. Brown sugar is an acceptable substitute if you don’t have maple sugar.
After mixing, divide the mixture between two gallon-sized freezer bags. Press the meat into the corners of each bag, remove as much air as possible, and flatten into an even slab with a rolling pin or your hands. Use a chopstick or handle of a spoon to press four evenly spaced indentations crosswise and four lengthwise, creating 16 equal squares in each bag. Place the bags on a sheet pan and freeze until firm, then transfer to long-term storage. For best quality, use within three months.
When you’re ready to cook, snap off as many squares as you need, reseal the bag, and return the remainder to the freezer. Because ground turkey is lean, coat the baking pan and the tops of the patties with a little oil—coconut oil spray, nonstick spray, or a light brush of olive oil all work well.
Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Serve immediately.
This sausage pairs perfectly with homemade biscuits; treat yourself to flaky buttermilk biscuits, or use the ground turkey for meatballs and other dishes when you have extra on hand.
Tools That Make This Easy
- Mixing bowl
- Sturdy spatula or spoon
- Sheet pan
- ChopStir or similar meat-breaking tool (optional)
- Maple sugar or brown sugar
- Cooking spray or oil for baking
Turkey Breakfast Sausage
Rebecca Lindamood
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 pounds ground turkey
- 1/4 cup maple sugar or brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons dried sage
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/4 to 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
To Make the Sausage:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and combine thoroughly with a ChopStir, sturdy spatula, or spoon until evenly distributed.
- Divide the mix between two gallon freezer bags. Press the meat into each bag, squeeze out excess air, and flatten into an even slab. Score each slab into 16 squares by making four crosswise and four lengthwise indentations. Place the bags on a sheet pan and freeze until firm, then store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To Cook the Sausage:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the desired number of squares from the bag, reseal, and return the rest to the freezer.
- Spritz the baking sheet and the tops of the patties with oil or brush lightly with olive oil. Arrange patties with space between them. Bake for about 30 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Serve hot.
Nutritional information is an estimate. Calculate values using the exact ingredients you use if you require precise nutrition data.
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Looking for more great breakfast ideas? Try this!
Ham and Egg Muffin Cups
Buttermilk Biscuit Tutorial — these dough rounds can be frozen and baked later, much like the sausage squares.