Homemade Turkey Apple Sausage with Sage

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Homemade apple turkey sausage is made with fresh ingredients, packed with flavor and easy to make!

Homemade turkey apple sausage combines savory and sweet flavors in the best way. With mild turkey as a hearty base, grated apple adds a subtle sweetness while keeping the turkey moist. A touch of spices rounds it out making it perfect for breakfast or any meal.

turkey sausage patties close up on a white platter

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I like to make my own breakfast sausage, it’s so simple and better for you too. You are in charge of the ingredients so you know exactly what’s in it — no unwanted fillers or additives.

These savory patties pair perfectly with eggs and toast, or you you make a hearty sandwich or a protein-packed dinner with veggies. I like doubling the recipe and freezing extras for quick, homemade meals later. It’s a great time saver for busy mornings or meal-prepping during the week.

What you’ll love about this recipe


  • Healthy and wholesome – Made with ground turkey, fresh apple, sage and spices, it’s a healthier alternative to store-bought sausages with no fillers or additives.
  • Flavor – Combining sage and apple creates a delicious balance of flavors everyone will love.
  • Meal Prep Friendly – Make a double batch and freeze what’s left for another day.
The ingredients: ground turkey breast, apple, thyme, sage, black pepper, sea salt, garlic fennel

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.


Icon for boxes in blog post

  • Olive oil
  • Lean ground turkey breast
  • Apple (any variety)
  • Sage (fresh or dried)
  • Crushed garlic
  • Fennel seed
  • Thyme (fresh or dried)
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Prepare the ingredients: Crush the garlic with a garlic crusher or smash it with a large spoon or knife. Shred the apples with a handheld grater, box grater or food processor and chop the sage and thyme with a sharp knife.

an overhead view of the ingredients for turkey sausage in a mixing bowl; ground turkey, herbs, and shredded  apples

Step 1: Place all of the ingredients into a large bowl.

turkey sausage mixture ingredients mixed toghether in a mixing bowl

Step 2: Combine turkey, apples, and seasonings together with a wooden spoon or your hands.

Uncooked turkey sausage patties in a cast iron skillet cooking

Step 3: Use your hands to shape the turkey mixture into patties. Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the sausage patties. Cover the skillet and cook for 6 to 7 minutes.

turkey sausage patties flipped and cooking in a cast iron skillet

STEP 4: Flip the patties over and cook them for 5 minutes longer or until they are cooked through ( internal temperature 165 degrees f).

NOTE: The sausage mixture will be moist, if you find it difficult to form the patties, place the meat mixture into the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes before shaping them.

Serving Suggestions

Serve turkey apple sausage patties for breakfast with scrambled eggs, breakfast casserole, tomato pie, or frittata.

Crumble sausage patties up and add them to a breakfast burrito bowl, breakfast pie, or an omelet.

Turkey sausage is not just for breakfast, you can enjoy these tasty patties any time of the day. Cook them in a skillet or toss them on the grill and serve topped with sliced apples and onions and cheddar cheese on your favorite bread for a turkey sausage sandwich.

Turkey apple breakfast sausage is perfect for making little patties or meatballs and serving as an appetizer or adding to pizza, calzone, stromboli or whatever way you like to enjoy sausage.

How to store and freeze leftovers

Leftover cooked turkey sausage patties will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

Freeze leftover cooked and cooled sausage patties by placing them on a rimmed baking sheet and placing them into the freezer.

Once they are frozen, remove the frozen patties from the sheet and place them in a freezer container like this stasher bag.

Turkey sausage patties can be frozen for up to three months. Reheat them from frozen (or you can thaw them out) in the microwave or in a skillet on top of the stove.

three sausage patties cooked and browned on a white plate with apples in the background

Recipe variations

Seasoning – Add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for an autumn blend.
Make it spicy – add a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

Italian – Add Italian sausage seasoning, or fenel, garlic and red pepper flakes.

Fruit – Instead of apple, use a shredded pear.


Tips & Tricks

  • If the sausage patties stick to the pan, add a little bit of water to loosen them.
  • Don’t crowd the sausage patties in the skillet, it will make it difficult to flip them over.
  • Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook the sausages in batches. Place cooked patties on a paper towel lined plate while the second batch cooks.
Can I use another type of ground meat to make these sausage patties?

Yes. You can also make homemade sausage patties with ground chicken or ground pork.

Can I freeze the sausage patties before cooking them?

Yes, you can. Form the patties and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen place them into a freezer-safe container. They will last in the freezer for three months. Defrost uncooked sausage patties in the refrigerator overnight.

Do you like this recipe or have a question?

Please leave a comment or question and a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating below. I answer all your questions!

three sausage patties on a plate

Homemade Turkey Apple Sausage with Sage

Homemade apple turkey sausage is made with fresh ingredients, packed with flavor and easy to make!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: turkey apple sausage
Servings: 8 Patties
Calories: 103kcal
Author: Anne

Homemade Turkey Apple Sausage with Sage

Scale this Recipe 8 Patties

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 apple large shredded
  • 1/8 cup fresh sage chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 tablespoons fennel
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground pepper

Instructions

  • Shred the apples using a grater, and crush the garlic using a garlic crusher or the back of a knife or spoon to crush it.
  • Combine all of the ingredients except the oil in a bowl and form the mixture into 8 patties or 4 larger ones for sandwich size.
  • Preheat the olive oil in a  skillet over medium heat, add the patties, cook for approximately 5 minutes, then turn them over and cook them for 5 minutes more or until they are cooked through to 165 degrees.

Notes

How to store leftovers:
Leftover cooked turkey sausage patties will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freeze leftover cooked and cooled sausage patties by placing them on a rimmed baking sheet and placing them into the freezer.
Once they are frozen, remove the frozen patties from the sheet and place them in a freezer container like this stasher bag.
Turkey sausage patties can be frozen for up to three months. Reheat them from frozen (or you can thaw them out) in the microwave or in a skillet on top of the stove.
TIPS
If the sausage is too soft to form into patties, place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm it up.
Depending on the size of your skillet, you may need to cook the sausage in batches. Place cooked patties on a plate lined with paper towels while the other sausages cook.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Patty | Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 201mg | Potassium: 254mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 491IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Such yummy fall flavors. I’m making a second batch to stick in the freezer for my son on busy mornings!

  2. I made these (not your recipe but same ingredients) and mine recipe said to chop the apples. Mine had great flavor but were so dry. I thought the flavor was so good but maybe it needed and egg or mayo or zucchini – something to add moistness to the patties. I see you grated your apple, and I think that may make a big different as well. Also, what are your thoughts on baking these in the oven? Temp and timing for that variation. Please share your thoughts. Thank you I will be making your version this weekend.

    1. Thanks for your comment. Possibly replace the meat with mashed chickpeas or white beans? You could also try portobello mushrooms that are blended in a food processor – but not sure how well they will hold together. If you like the vegan ground beef options, you could try that too.