Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage is made with fridge and pantry staples, and is preservative and gluten free!

Photo of plate of simple homemade breakfast sausage
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As they say, nobody wants to see how sausage is made…unless we’re talking Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage, of course! Get your frying pans ready my friend, this breakfast-ready recipe is a cinch to whip up!

Overhead photo of plate of eggs, toast and breakfast sausage

I will admit to keeping a massive, Costco-sized bag of Jones Dairy Farm frozen sausage links in my freezer. That said, we eat enough of them that I figured I should try making breakfast sausage from scratch, and I’m glad I did because it’s seriously simple to do.

Ground pork is mixed with savory seasonings like dried sage and marjoram leaf, salt, and pepper, plus a drizzle of maple syrup (though this sausage is not sweet-tasting,) then shaped into patties and either baked or pan-fried. Freeze the leftover patties then pop them onto a plate in the morning and microwave to reheat while scrambling a couple of eggs. Honestly, it’s faster than making a smoothie!

This 6 ingredient recipe (and that’s including salt and pepper!) will make you feel great about nourishing your body with a wholesome, filling breakfast that won’t leave you casually strolling past the snack machine at 10am. Make a batch of Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage this weekend to keep at the ready in the fridge or freezer, and get every day started in a healthy way!

Closeup photo of plate of homemade breakfast sausage

How to Make this Recipe:

In a small bowl stir together pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup,) salt, dried sage, pepper, and dried marjoram leaf to create a slurry then pour it over ground pork and mix with your hands until everything is just combined. Resist the urge to over-mix lest your sausage patties turn out tough and rubbery.

Shape the mixture into 12 patties then place on a plastic wrap covered baking sheet, cover, and then refrigerate overnight to give the flavors a chance to meld. You absolutely CAN cook the sausage patties right away, but they’ll taste best after the flavors have had a chance to meld.

Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage is just that - simple! Made in just one bowl with pantry staples, this breakfast sausage is freezer-friendly, and preservative and gluten-free, too. | iowagirleats.com

How to Cook Homemade Breakfast Sausage:

When it’s time to eat, you’ve got 2 cooking options:

  1. Pan-Fry: saute the patties in a large skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
  2. Bake: bake the patties on a foil-lined baking sheet for 17-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage is just that - simple! Made in just one bowl with pantry staples, this breakfast sausage is freezer-friendly, and preservative and gluten-free, too. | iowagirleats.com

Can I freeze Homemade Breakfast Sausage?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze the homemade sausage patties after cooking. Let the patties cool completely after pan-frying or baking, then place in a Ziplock freezer bag and freeze flat. To reheat, place patties on a microwave-safe plate then cover with a paper towel. Microwave at 50% power for 2-4 minutes, or until heated through. Easy as that!

Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage is just that - simple! Made in just one bowl with pantry staples, this breakfast sausage is freezer-friendly, and preservative and gluten-free, too. | iowagirleats.com

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Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage

4.5 from 2 votes

by Kristin Porter

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Simple Homemade Breakfast Sausage is made with fridge and pantry staples, and is preservative and gluten free!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground pork
  • 3 Tablespoons real maple syrup, not pancake syrup
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried marjoram leaf

Directions 

  • Combine maple syrup, salt, pepper, dried sage, and marjoram leaf together in a small bowl then stir to create a slurry. Pour over pork in a large bowl then mix with hands until just combined – DO NOT OVERMIX or sausage will end up tough. Shape into 12 patties then place onto a plastic wrap covered baking sheet, and cover with more plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight to let the flavors meld.

To saute:

  • Let patties sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to take the chill off then saute in a large skillet sprayed with nonstick spray over medium heat (no higher,) for 4-5 minutes a side, or until cooked through.

To bake:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees then line two baking sheets with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Transfer patties to prepared baking sheets then bake for 10 minutes, flip patties, and then bake for 7-10 more minutes or until cooked through.

Notes

  • To freeze: Refrigerate patties until completely cool then transfer to a Ziplock freezer bag and freeze. To reheat, place patties on a plate then cover with a paper towel. Microwave at 50% power for 2-4 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition

Calories: 213kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 54mg, Sodium: 430mg, Potassium: 231mg, Fiber: 0.05g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 7IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 17mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.

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53 Comments

  1. Kristine says:

    Soo good! Next time I’ll make a double batch.

  2. Jennie says:

    Tonight I made brinner using this (had to sub thyme for marjoram) and your cauliflower rice recipe – you’re the best! :)

    Was thinking that by tweaking the spices, you achieve a homemade Andouille sausage or use garlic, ginger, soy/tamari, green onions, and chili for an Asian spin.

  3. Marcia says:

    Trying your recipe for sausage. Will let you know what happens thanks

  4. Leslie says:

    Thank you for posting this. I am making these this weekend for my family to put into frozen “breakfast bowls”.

  5. Midnite Baker says:

    I made this sausage recipe last weekend and it went over very well.
    Didn’t change any ingredients except used fresh garden sage instead of dried. And I left the mixture in the frig overnight to blend, then made patties with very wet hands. Thanks for sharing. M

  6. Sara says:

    Ha! One of the instructors where I went to culinary school always used to say never trust a skinny chef. :) This looks so good!

  7. Melony says:

    Awesome! I used to make similar sausage a few years back but somehow I misplaced the recipe. So glad to see you post this :)

  8. Erin at Our Simple Nest says:

    Loving this! I’ve really gotten into making meatballs ahead of time, cooked through so all I have to do is warm them while the pasta boils. This will be another freezer staple I think, for quick breakfasts and dinners! Yumm! Thanks for sharing!! – Erin

  9. Sabine says:

    Can I freeze the patties raw and cook them “fresh”?

    1. Kristin says:

      Hey Sabine! I didn’t test that but I think it could work! I’d just thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.

  10. Rebecca says:

    I am definitely going to make these this week! Thanks so much for the recipe :)

    – Becca

  11. Mary Ann says:

    Mmm sausage! Yum! I believe that method of egg cooking has also been made famous by Gordon Ramsey. I’m with you, too much work for too little payout!

  12. Annie says:

    Oh my goodness! What a simple recipe! My fella loves sausage so I can’t wait to try this! Thank you :)

  13. Trisha says:

    Ha. My immediate thoughts were, “she must be talking about Chrissy Teigen”. It’s not possible to dislike her. They are THE most beautiful couple. And once, back when I actually used to blog, I even blogged about how much I’d love to double date with those two. Except I know I would just feel SO short and ugly the whole time.
    Also, I love sausage and now I want BFD.