Homemade Savory Sausage

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One of my favorite and most versatile sausage recipes is this Homemade Savory Sausage. Before I started making my own, the thought of making sausage by scratch had never crossed my mind, and even put me off a little, thinking it would be hard. But after I started reading all the sausage labels I was quickly motivated to look into creating my own recipe! Most pre-made sausages are full of preservatives, sweeteners, and corn by-products that are not only unnecessary but can also be damaging to a compromised gut. With a few fresh or dried spices, whatever you have on hand, and a few pounds of ground pork (or any ground meat you prefer), making your own homemade sausage is not as intimidating or difficult as you would think!

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Ever since I started cooking almost all our food from scratch several years ago, I was on the constant hunt for streamlining as much of my cooking processes as possible. It can be a major shift in your priorities to take on scratch cooking, sometimes becoming a full time job. I often get asked by my friends that are busy moms managing busy kid's schedules how to save a little time in the kitchen. This recipe is on the top of my time saving list!

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It's a great option as breakfast patties, crumbled in a hash, used in place of any Italian Sausage recipe, and when doubled, tripled, or quadrupled (like I like to do!) it saves time later on those hurried mornings when you're looking for something nutrient dense to start your family's day. My normal sausage-making routine includes a large purchase of 4-5 lbs. of ground pasture-raised pork, and multiplying the spices per pound. I throw it all in a big bowl and mix away! I then divide it up into 1 lb. sections and flatten in freezer bags and place them in the freezer. You can also form them into patties and freeze on parchment lined baking sheet before putting them in the freezer bags. Just take out the night before to thaw in the fridge! 

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What are some of you favorite time saving tips for getting a healthy breakfast on the table on those hurried mornings? 

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Homemade Savory Sausage

makes about 8 sausages

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. ground pork (or ground meat of choice)

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. dried sage

1 tsp. fennel seeds

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

3/4 - 1 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

pinch of ground cloves

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat a cast iron skillet on med-low heat.

Add spices and ground meat of choice to a large bowl.

With clean hands, thoroughly mix until combined.

For patties, form about 2 tbsp. worth of meat mixture into a ball in your hands and flatten slightly to make a disk.

Cook for 3 minutes per side. Test one by cutting in half to make sure it is cooked through. If not, you can cover the pan for a minute or two to allow the steam to finish off the center.

For crumbled sausage, increase the heat to medium and add meat mixture to the pan. Crumble with a wooden spoon until browned.