Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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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
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Sausage Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Reviews

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.

Instructions

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

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

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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.

    Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (14)

  • 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 (15)

  • 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.

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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.

Nutrition per Serving

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

Made this Recipe?

If you made this recipe, please leave a comment sharing your experience with others. Thank you so much!

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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.

About the Author

Juicy Beef Sausage - Healthy Recipes Blog (18) 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

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  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 (19)
    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 (20)
    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

How to make homemade sausage more moist? ›

Never skimp on the fat:

Fat lubricates the meat, acts as a binder and will make the sausage tender and juicy.

What makes sausage moist? ›

Fat: Like water, fat also helps keep sausage moist and adds a buttery flavor.

Is beef sausage healthy? ›

While sausage is a good source of protein, it is best consumed minimally due to its high sodium and saturated fat content. So if you're looking for lean protein options or require a low sodium diet, it might be hard to include this food in your day-to-day meal plan.

How to keep sausage 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.

Is an important ingredient added to sausages for moisture or juiciness? ›

Phosphates - A naturally occurring form of the element phosphorus used in meat and poultry products for maintaining moisture in products to enhance juiciness and tenderness and prevent off flavors from developing in fat. Sodium or potassium phosphates most common in hot dogs.

Why 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.

Why do you put vinegar in sausage? ›

Vinegar is included in the manufacture of many varied sausages and charcuterie. Functions include tenderizing the meat as well as contributing a fermented sour-like taste. Artisans will often soak natural animal casings in a weak vinegar solution, as the vinegar contributes to a more tender eating experience.

What is the healthiest sausage you can eat? ›

Extra-lean chicken or kangaroo sausages tend to be the healthiest sausage option. Leaner sausages are also often lower in calories and salt. Follow these guidelines to choose healthier sausages: Less than 5g saturated fat per 100g.

What is the healthiest meat sausage? ›

Type of meat: Opt for sausages made with chicken or turkey, which are better options for your health than beef or pork. Preservatives: Try to avoid options with nitrites and nitrates (check the ingredient list!) Casing: Choose sausages with a natural casing.

Which is healthier beef or pork sausage? ›

Both pork and beef are high in proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. However, beef tends to have more calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol than pork. Pork may be a better choice, then, if you're trying to manage your blood cholesterol levels.

What is the secret of a good sausage? ›

Fat – the meat needs about 25 – 30% fat in it. The fat is the glue that holds meat particles together and gives sausages their texture. If you don't like that rule, forget about making good sausage. Go out and buy a tofu hot dog!

Why add ice water to sausage? ›

As sausage ingredients are mixed together, a great amount of heat is generated, it is important to add ice as an ingredient rather that water to quickly and effectively remove that heat to prevent the product from cooking during the mixing process.

Why do you add water to sausage when cooking? ›

add a little water once browned to keep them from. sticking to the pan.

How do you cure dry sausage? ›

Place sausage in a drying room at about 60 degrees F with a relative humidity of 65-70% for 48 hours. Then put sausage in a 38-40 degree F (3.3C-4.4C) cooler and allow to cure for 20 days before using. Your cooler should also have a relative humidity of 60-70% during these 20 days.

How do you make sausage firmer? ›

Every sausage should contain a portion of meat, some fat, a bit of liquid and some salt. The textures you create will rely on changing the ratios of those four basic ingredients. For example, if you want a firm sausage texture, you'll need to add a little more water.

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