Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage can be made in just minutes and allows you control the ingredients. Use the sausage in your favorite pasta sauce, on pizza, or in any recipe that calls for traditional or turkey sausage.
My family really enjoys the chicken sausage from the Whole Foods butcher counter. It comes in individual links in a casing, but I cut the casing off and just use the meat inside. I usually brown it and mix it with pasta sauce for spaghetti. I also use it for Rigatoni with Sausage and Peppers.
The availability of this sausage is hit or miss. Many times they are sold out, and I must adjust my menu plans. I finally decided to make my own sausage to have a recipe to use when the Whole Foods ones are sold out.
I know some people prefer to make their own sausage regardless to have more control over the ingredients and to know exactly what is in it.
Rather than use ground chicken, which can be dry, I used lean 93/7 ground turkey. This is usually my go-to turkey for Lasagna and my famous Turkey Chili.
I love fennel seed and think it's one of the main spices that gives sausage its distinctive flavor, so that was a must. The other spices are all typical of homemade sausage.
My family loved this, and I'm happy to have a homemade version!
Mix the Sausage
In a large bowl, mix all of the spices together until well blended.
Then, add the ground turkey and mix well to combine.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes to meld the flavors. This step is optional, but I do recommend it.
Cook the Sausage
In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage until browned and cooked through, breaking into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Drain the grease if needed. Typically, 93/7 ground turkey is so lean it doesn't require draining.
Add the cooked sausage to pasta sauce or use as desired.
Check out all of my recipes using Chicken Sausage and Turkey Sausage.
Chicken Variation
Use ground chicken in place of ground turkey.
Gluten Free Option
This recipe is naturally gluten free.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried chopped onions
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon fennel seed
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound ground turkey (93/7 lean)
Instructions
- Mix the spices in a large bowl.1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon dried chopped onions, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ¼ teaspoon fennel seed, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Add the ground turkey and mix until completely combined.1 pound ground turkey
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes, if desired, to allow flavors to meld.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. Brown the meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until cooked completely through.
- If there is excess grease in the pan, transfer the meat to a paper towel lined plate to remove the grease.
- Add the ground sausage to pasta sauce or use as desired.
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