Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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This juicy and flavorful beef sausage is easy to make at home with lean ground beef, spices, and olive oil.

I like to make several of them ahead of time and enjoy them throughout the week! They reheat beautifully in the microwave.

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Savory breakfasts can be just as good as sweet ones, and this beef sausage is excellent proof. Served with eggs, these sausages are perfect for breakfast or brunch. They are delicious and filling, and you can make them in advance and reheat them.

To make these sausages, simply mix ground beef with seasonings, shape the mixture into patties, then cook the patties in olive oil for a few minutes.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Beef Sausage Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Sausage Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Let's Connect

Ingredients

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You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this beef sausage recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

  • Ground beef: I use lean ground beef (85% lean and 15% fat). A leaner mixture will be too dry. I experimented with a 90/10 mix, and it wasn't as good.
  • To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried sage, and red pepper flakes.
  • Olive oil: I use it to fry the patties.

Variations

  • You can cook the patties in butter instead of olive oil. It's delicious!
  • The spice combination I use, especially thyme and sage, is classic. But you can experiment with your favorite spices. Tasty options include dry mustard and oregano. You can add a teaspoon of each.
  • Add 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan to the mixture for added flavor.
  • You can form the mixture into eight small patties instead of four large ones. If you do, they'll be ready faster; cook them for about 3 minutes per side over medium heat.

Beef Sausage Instructions

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Combine the beef with the spices, and use your hands to mix everything together.

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Divide the mixture into four large patties or eight small ones.

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Cook the patties in olive oil until cooked through, 4-5 minutes per side, over medium heat.

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Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to four days in an airtight container.

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Expert Tips

  1. When combining the meat with spices, try not to over-mix, as over-mixing will result in dense sausage. However, you should ensure the mixture is uniform and the spices are distributed throughout.
  2. You can double this recipe, cook the beef sausage in batches (or use a double-burner griddle), and keep the leftovers in the fridge for a few days. They also freeze well.

Recipe FAQs

What kind of meat is breakfast sausage made of?

It's typically made with ground pork. However, some people prefer to avoid pork for various reasons, and for them, beef is an excellent option that tastes great, much like beef bacon is a great alternative to oven bacon.

Can sausage be made from beef?

Yes, absolutely. Although it's typically made with pork, beef is a flavorful option that pairs well with typical sausage seasonings. Other options include ground chicken and ground turkey.

What's the difference between a burger and a sausage patty?

There are two main differences. The first is the meat used - beef for burgers (like these grilled hamburgers) and pork or chicken for sausages. Although, as you can see here, sausage CAN be made with ground beef.

The second main difference is the seasoning. A burger is often seasoned very minimally, with just salt and pepper. Sausages are heavily seasoned and often contain spices such as paprika, sage, and thyme.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve beef sausage with fluffy scrambled eggs, almond flour biscuits, and fresh berries. It's a wonderfully filling breakfast or brunch that keeps me full for hours.

Sometimes, I serve these sausages for dinner with just about any side dish, such as roasted Brussels sprouts or mashed cauliflower. They also pair well with salads like creamy cucumber salad or tomato salad.

Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. They keep well; you can reheat them in the microwave at 50% power.

I also enjoy them cold with Dijon mustard or sriracha mayo, fresh-cut veggies, and quick pickles or pickled red onions.

Sometimes, I have one of them in a cloud bread sandwich and pretend I'm eating a burger!

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More Sausage Recipes

  • Sausage Egg Muffins
  • Sausage Patties
  • Sausage Stuffing
  • Shrimp and Sausage

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Recipe Card

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4.93 from 240 votes

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Juicy Beef Sausage

This juicy and flavorful beef sausage is so tasty and filling. You can make several of them ahead of time and quickly reheat them each morning.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time55 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 277kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85/15)
  • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ½ teaspoon of any other salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried sage
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  • Place the ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried sage, and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.

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  • Use clean hands to combine these ingredients into a uniform mixture. Don't over-mix.

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  • Divide the mixture into four ½-inch thick patties. You can also divide it into eight small patties if you wish.

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  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook them until browned and cooked through, for about 4-5 minutes per side.

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  • Serve immediately. I like to serve them with fried eggs.

    Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

Video

Notes

  • You can form the mixture into eight small patties instead of four larger ones. If you do, they'll be ready faster - you'll need to cook them for about 3 minutes per side over medium heat.
  • When combining the meat with the spices, try not to over-mix (over-mixing will result in dense sausage), but make sure the mixture is uniform and the spices are distributed throughout.
  • You can easily double the recipe, cook the patties in batches (or use a double-burner griddle), and keep the leftovers in the fridge for a few days. They also freeze well.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. They keep quite well; you can reheat them in the microwave at 50% power.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 1sausage patty | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.5g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 355mg | Fiber: 0.5g

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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More Keto Breakfast Recipes

  • Chaffles Recipe
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About the Author

Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (29) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Brian Bostock

    Just wish to ask, when you say 'red pepper' do you mean chili? I intend to try this very soon but need to know for sure.
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Brian,
      Great question. I mean red pepper flakes. I went ahead and changed the recipe card to make it clearer. Thank you!

      Reply

  2. Danielle Thompson

    Why not over mix? I want to mix mine thoroughly so they stay together better. I do it for rissoles too in my thermomix. is there any reason aside from texture or aesthetics?

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Hi Danielle,
      Great question! Over-mixing makes the sausages dense. If you don't mind this, you can mix as much as you want.

      Reply

  3. Anna

    Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (30)
    Love this recipe and use it often! I go easy on the red pepper but let me say that smoked paprika is absolutely the right choice for sausages! Thanks Vered!!!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Yay! I'm so glad you like this recipe, Anna! Smoked paprika is one of my favorite spices.

      Reply

  4. Steve Barth

    I would like to make 100 pounds of this sausage for an event. The spice ratio is noticeably high. Do you have a recipe for larger amounts you can share?
    Steve

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Wow. 100 pounds? I'm sorry, Steve, I only tested this recipe up to two pounds, and then I simply doubled the spices.

      Reply

  5. Katie

    Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (31)
    I'm going to cut the salt in half for my next batch. flavor is great - highly recommend!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Glad you liked the flavor, Katie! Certainly, if you use any salt other than Diamond Crystal Kosher salt, you should use just 1/2 teaspoon. I edited the recipe to reflect that. Thanks for your feedback!

      Reply

Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What makes sausage juicy? ›

Fat lubricates the meat, acts as a binder and will make the sausage tender and juicy. Sausages that do not contain enough fat are typically dry and tasteless. Sausages should contain 25-30% fat.

How to cook beef sausage? ›

  1. PAN FRY: Cut Smoked Sausage sections in half lengthwise or into 1'2" slices. Add to non-stick skillet over medium heat. ...
  2. STOVE TOP: Add sausage to 2-3 inches of boiling water. Simmer for 10-12 minutes.
  3. GRILL: Grill over medium-high heat for 12-14 minutes, turning frequently. CAUTION: PRODUCT WILL BE HOT!

What is beef sausage? ›

It is typically made from ground beef mixed with herbs and spices such as fennel, garlic, paprika, and black pepper. Italian beef sausage can be mild or spicy, depending on the seasoning.

How sausages are made? ›

Sausages can be made by grinding meat from beef, pork, poultry, or game meat, mixing with salt and other seasonings followed by stuffing into a container or a casing. The word sausage is derived from the Latin word salsus, which means salted or preserved by salting.

How do you cook sausage so it stays juicy? ›

Sausages need to be cooked on a low heat. I never prick or cut the skin, because that lets all the juices out. I use a little bit of oil, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan, heat the pan to a medium heat, then put the sausages in and turn the heat down to low.

How do you make sausages more juicy? ›

Properly salting the pork and letting it rest for eight hours in the refrigerator allows the meat to retain moisture and ensures the cooked sausage will have a juicy, springy texture.

What is the healthiest way to cook sausages? ›

Sausages can be cooked in numerous ways. In general, boiling and baking are the healthiest methods, as they don't require much oil. However, pan- and stir-frying are good options as long as you choose a healthy oil. Conversely, deep frying is the least healthy way because of the fat and calories it adds.

What is the best cooking method for sausages? ›

Baking is a great way to make your sausages nicely crispy and brown. First, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius or 356 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, bake the sausages in a pan for at least 16 to 20 minutes if they are small and for at least 30 to 40 minutes if they are large.

Is it better to cook sausages in the oven or pan? ›

One of the healthiest ways to cook sausages is in the oven. It's super easy to do, and unlike frying or grilling, baking sausages doesn't require any extra oil.

Is beef sausage good for you? ›

Sausages are a nutrient dense protein option for the family as part of a weekly meal plan with other high iron sources. Where possible aim for high quality ones that ideally have around 75-85% meat or higher. Watch for fillers and additives, especially if there are certain dietary requirements for the family.

Are beef sausages healthier than pork? ›

Beef sausages tend to contain more fat than chicken or pork sausages. When choosing beef sausages, you should look for those with a higher proportion of lean beef and less fat. If it suits your budget, ask your butcher for grass-fed beef sausages, as this option is healthier than grain-fed beef.

Is there such a thing as all beef sausage? ›

Yes, absolutely. There are numerous types of sausage made with beef, chicken, or a blend of various meats. Weisswurst, a white German sausage from Germany, is traditionally made from very finely ground veal and pork. Many hotdogs (which at the end of the day are a variation on German knackwurst) are made with beef.

What is the most important ingredient in sausage? ›

MUSCLE MEATS. Skeletal muscle meats from slaughtered animals are the principal ingredients used in sausage production. However, the different skeletal muscles vary not only in their contents of fat, water and proteins, but also in their water binding and emulsifying properties, colour, etc.

What is Mcdonald's sausage made of? ›

Sausage Patty

Ingredients: Pork, Water, Salt, Spices, Dextrose, Sugar, Rosemary Extract, Natural Flavors.

Is it cheaper to make your own sausage? ›

While the convenience of store brought sausages may be appealing, they are often times quite expensive. The act of taking the time to make your own sausages at home can allow you to save money.

How do you cook sausage without drying it out? ›

By steaming the sausages before grilling in a pan, you can preserve as much moisture resulting in juicier sausages. Use a steamer pot, fill up the bottom with about 2cm of water, turn on the heat, then cover. Once the water boils, you can start steaming. Steam the sausage for about 15 mins.

What is the secret of a good sausage? ›

When making sausage, the more fat you can get in your meat, the better. If you are using a leaner beef or pork, add bacon so you don't end up with a tough/dry sausage. It is absolutely key to have your meat very cold and grinder parts chilled.

Are sausages supposed to be juicy? ›

Even if the casing does break a bit, high-quality smoked sausage is so juicy that it'll be hard to dry it out. If grilling is outside your cooking capacity, then pan-frying your smoked sausage on the stove will still yield a moist, crispy product in a very manageable way.

Why do you put baking soda in sausage? ›

Adding baking soda to the meat mixture yields a more cohesive, springier sausage. A small amount of onion, garlic, and paprika enhances but doesn't overpower the flavor of the meat.

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