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

Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (13)

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.

    Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (15)

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

    Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (16)

  • 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
  • Breakfast Egg Muffins
  • Mushroom Frittata
  • Turkey Hash

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? ›

Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, then add the sausages. A little of the fat from the sausages will start to come out as they warm up; turn the sausages in the hot fat to coat them. Keep cooking for 15-20 mins, moving them around in the pan and turning them over regularly so they all cook evenly.

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? ›

Most sausage, however, is made by placing the ground ingredients in some type of forming device to give them shape and hold them together for thermal processing. The casing materials may be natural or manufactured. Natural casings are the gastrointestinal tracts of cattle, sheep and hogs.

How do you cook sausage so it stays juicy? ›

Cook gently and only to a max 145-150ºF over a low to moderate heat or with the simmer then brown method. The main benefit from either of the methods we recommend is that you will lose only about half of the moisture when compared to a fast high cook approach and this means immeasurably better results, every time.

What liquid is best for cooking sausage? ›

You can use regular tap water to boil your sausages, but this can render the meat a bit flavourless. To add a bit more flavour, try boiling the sausages in chicken or vegetable stock or even water mixed with wine.

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 beef sausage? ›

Top 50 Scanned: Beef Sausage beta
Popularity
#1Beef Franks, Skinless, Bun Length Nathan's Famous140 Calories
#2Beef Franks, Skinless Nathan's Famous130 Calories
#3Beef Stick & Cheese, Original Jack Link's140 Calories
#4Smoked Sausage, Beef Hillshire Farm170 Calories
46 more rows

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? ›

Looking at these main nutrients, we can see that they are nearly the same. However, the biggest difference is the amount of iron. In beef, there is 14% iron per 100g when compared to the 4% in pork meat. Another big difference is that beef has a high amount of vitamin B12 and B6 when compared to pork.

Is there such a thing as all beef sausage? ›

Our All Beef Farmer's Sausage is cooked and naturally smoked using real hardwood chips. It is gluten free and no MSG has been added. Enjoy it at your next meal!

What is the most important ingredient in sausage? ›

Ingredients
  • Meat – Pork is the most popular type of meat used for sausage production. ...
  • Fat – Pork fat back is considered the best for sausage production. ...
  • Salt – Essential in sausage production especially for dry-cured and smoked sausages as a flavor enhancer it also limits bacterial growth.

What is Mcdonald's sausage made of? ›

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 know if sausage is raw or just juicy? ›

Even though the sausage may be crispy on the outside, the inside may still be raw. To determine whether it's done, you can measure the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Sausages should reach 155–165°F (68–74°C).

How do you improve the texture of a sausage? ›

These are the three things we tell people when they ask us how to improve the funky texture of their homemade sausage:
  1. Start with the Third/Third/Third Grind. (courtesy Brad Lockwood) ...
  2. Use a Meat Mixer. (courtesy Hank Shaw) ...
  3. Add Non-Fat Milk Powder. (courtesy Brad Lockwood)

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? ›

The sausages without baking soda had a coarser, more burger-like texture, while those with the baking soda were more cohesive, with a springiness to the meat that I instantly recognized from the cevapi I sampled in restaurants.

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