Wake up to the savory aroma of homemade Jimmy Dean style breakfast sausage with this simple yet delicious recipe. If you’ve always wanted to recreate that signature flavor of Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage in your own kitchen, you’re in the right place. This copycat Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage recipe delivers all the flavors you love without any preservatives or additives. Perfect for breakfast sandwiches, casseroles, or simply served alongside your favorite morning eggs, this versatile breakfast meat will transform your morning routine.
The Ultimate Homemade Breakfast Sausage Experience
There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own breakfast sausage from scratch. Not only do you control exactly what goes into it, but you can also adjust the seasonings to match your preferences perfectly. This Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage recipe captures that classic flavor profile we all know and love while giving you the freedom to customize it to your taste.
Why Make Your Own Breakfast Sausage?
Store-bought breakfast sausage is convenient, but nothing beats the flavor and satisfaction of homemade. By making your own Jimmy Dean style breakfast sausage, you can:
- Avoid preservatives and additives found in commercial products
- Adjust spice levels to suit your taste preferences
- Create different variations for unique breakfast experiences
- Save money by making larger batches at home
- Know exactly what ingredients your family is consuming
Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: Makes about 16-20 patties
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
For the Basic Jimmy Dean Style Breakfast Sausage
- 2 pounds ground pork (preferably with about 20% fat content)
- 2 teaspoons dried sage
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon MSG (optional, for that authentic flavor)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional, for maple-flavored sausage)
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Plastic wrap
- Large skillet or griddle
- Meat thermometer (optional, but recommended)
- Patty press or ring mold (optional, for uniform patties)
- Airtight container for storage
Step 1: Prepare the Seasoning Blend
Create Your Signature Spice Mix
In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry seasonings: sage, salt, black pepper, marjoram, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, thyme, and nutmeg. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. If using MSG, add it at this stage.
Thoroughly mixing the spices before adding them to the meat is crucial – this technique ensures every bite of your homemade Jimmy Dean style breakfast sausage has that perfect balance of flavors. Use a whisk or fork to break up any clumps in the brown sugar and make sure all spices are well incorporated.
Tip: If you prefer a spicier sausage, increase the red pepper flakes slightly, or for a sweeter profile, add a touch more brown sugar.
Step 2
Step 2: Combine Meat with Seasonings
Place the ground pork in the large mixing bowl with the spice mixture. If you’ve decided to include maple syrup for a touch of sweetness, now is the time to drizzle it over the meat.
Using clean hands, gently work the spices into the ground pork. The key here is to mix just enough to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat—about 1-2 minutes of gentle folding and mixing should do the trick.
Important tip: Avoid overworking the meat! Excessive mixing can break down the fat and protein structures, resulting in a tough, dense sausage rather than the tender, juicy texture we’re aiming for. The mixture is ready when you no longer see pockets of spices and the meat has a uniform appearance.
Step 3
Allow Flavors to Develop
For truly authentic Jimmy Dean flavor, patience is key. After mixing your seasoned meat thoroughly:
- Cover the mixture with plastic wrap, ensuring it’s well-sealed
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight)
- Let the magic happen as the spices permeate the meat
This resting period is critical for flavor development. During refrigeration, the salt works to extract proteins from the meat while the herbs and spices infuse throughout the mixture. The result is that distinctive Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage flavor profile that’s impossible to achieve without this waiting period.
Short on time? While you can cook the sausage immediately, the flavor profile will be noticeably less developed. Even a quick 1-hour rest in the refrigerator is better than none at all if you’re in a hurry.
Step 4
Step 4: Shape the Sausage Patties or Links
When ready to cook, remove the meat mixture from the refrigerator. The chilling period has allowed the flavors to fully develop and the fat to firm up, making the mixture easier to handle.
For patties:
- Divide and shape the meat into patties approximately 2-3 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick
- For perfectly uniform patties, use a patty press or a round cookie cutter as a mold
- Slightly indent the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent it from puffing up during cooking
For links:
- Shape the meat into small logs about 3-4 inches long and 1 inch in diameter
- Roll each portion between your palms with gentle pressure until you achieve a uniform cylindrical shape
- Place the shaped links on a parchment-lined baking sheet if not cooking immediately
Pro tip: If the mixture becomes sticky while you’re working with it, wet your hands with a little cold water between shaping each patty or link. This prevents the meat from sticking to your fingers and gives you cleaner edges.
Step 5
Step 5: Cooking the Sausage Patties
Now it’s time to cook your homemade sausage patties to perfection. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. The beauty of properly seasoned sausage is that it creates its own cooking medium—no need to add oil, as the sausage will release its own fat during cooking. However, if you’ve opted for very lean meat, you may want to add a teaspoon of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
Once your cooking surface is properly heated (you can test this by sprinkling a few drops of water—they should sizzle immediately), carefully place your sausage patties in the pan. Important tip: Leave some space between each patty and avoid overcrowding the pan. This ensures even cooking and proper browning. If necessary, cook your sausages in batches rather than trying to fit them all at once.
The patties should immediately make a satisfying sizzle when they hit the hot surface—this is exactly what you want to achieve that delicious golden-brown crust.
Step 6: Cook to Golden Perfection
Cook the Sausage Patties
Now for the most satisfying part of the process—cooking your homemade sausage patties to golden perfection!
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Place your patties in the preheated skillet, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if necessary.
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Cook for approximately 4-5 minutes on the first side until you achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust.
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Using a spatula, carefully flip each patty and cook for an additional 4 minutes on the second side.
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For food safety, verify doneness with a meat thermometer—the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). There should be no pink remaining in the center.
Cooking tip: Adjust your cooking time based on the thickness of your patties and your stove’s heat level. Thicker patties will require additional time, while thinner ones will cook more quickly. If your patties are browning too quickly on the outside but remain undercooked inside, reduce the heat slightly and extend the cooking time.
Step 7: Serving Your Homemade Sausage
Transfer and Drain
Once your sausage patties have reached that perfect golden-brown color and are fully cooked through, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels. This important step helps absorb any excess grease, giving you that perfect Jimmy Dean-style texture without being overly greasy.
Rest Before Serving
Allow the patties to rest for at least a minute. This brief resting period helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite is flavorful and juicy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your homemade breakfast sausage in any of these delicious ways:
- As part of a classic breakfast plate alongside scrambled eggs and toast
- Tucked between an English muffin with egg and cheese for a breakfast sandwich
- Crumbled into breakfast casseroles for added flavor and protein
- As the star ingredient in homemade sausage gravy over fresh biscuits
The beauty of making your own Jimmy Dean-style sausage is its versatility – you can enjoy it immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days, making your weekday breakfasts that much easier and more delicious.
Storage and Preparation Tips
How to Store Your Homemade Sausage
Refrigeration: Cooked sausage patties will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Store them in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Freezing Raw Patties: Form the sausage into patties, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze until solid (about 1 hour). Then transfer the frozen patties to a freezer bag, placing parchment paper between each patty to prevent sticking. Raw patties can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Freezing Cooked Patties: Allow the cooked sausage patties to cool completely, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Cooked patties can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Quick Thawing Instructions
To thaw frozen sausage patties, place them in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re in a hurry, you can cook them directly from frozen by reducing the heat and extending the cooking time by 3-5 minutes per side.
Variations to Try
Spicy Breakfast Sausage
Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and increase the crushed red pepper flakes to 1/2 teaspoon for a spicy kick that’s perfect for breakfast sandwiches with eggs.
Maple Breakfast Sausage
Increase the maple syrup to 2-3 tablespoons for a sweeter, more pronounced maple flavor that pairs beautifully with pancakes and waffles.
Apple Breakfast Sausage
Add 1/4 cup finely diced apple and 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to the mixture for a delightful fruity twist.
Italian-Style Breakfast Sausage
Substitute the sage and marjoram with 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, add 2 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds for an Italian-inspired breakfast meat.
Using Your Homemade Sausage in Breakfast Recipes
Your homemade Jimmy Dean style breakfast sausage is incredibly versatile and can be used in countless breakfast recipes:
Breakfast Casserole
Crumble and cook the sausage, then combine with eggs, cheese, and hash browns for a hearty breakfast casserole.
Sausage Breakfast Sandwich
Form the mixture into thin patties, cook, and serve on English muffins with egg and cheese for a quick breakfast on the go.
Sausage Gravy
Cook the sausage, crumbling it as it cooks, then use it to make a classic sausage gravy to serve over biscuits.
Breakfast Burritos
Cook and crumble the sausage to use as a protein-packed filling for breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs and cheese.
Nutritional Information (Approximate per patty)
- Calories: 130
- Total Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 290mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 1g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 8g
Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on the exact ingredients used and portion sizes.
Healthier Alternatives
For a healthier version of this Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage recipe, consider these modifications:
- Use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of pork
- Reduce the salt to 1 teaspoon
- Skip the brown sugar or use a natural sweetener like monk fruit
- Add finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrients
A turkey-based breakfast sausage will have approximately 40% less fat and fewer calories while still delivering delicious flavor for your morning meal.
