Apple Sage Pork Sausage Patties

Meta Description: Learn how to make the best homemade Apple Sage Pork Sausage Patties! This easy recipe combines the sweet taste of apple with savory sage for a classic breakfast sausage that’s healthier and more flavorful than store-bought.¹

A Sunday Morning Tradition

Sunday mornings in my house have always been a special time. It’s when the rush of the week slows down and we get to enjoy a truly leisurely breakfast together. For years, this meant pancakes, scrambled eggs, and store-bought sausage links. While they were fine, they always felt a little… generic. I wanted a breakfast sausage that felt a little more special, something with a flavor profile that screamed “cozy weekend.”

My grandmother, a master of savory comfort food, gave me the key. She told me the secret to a great breakfast sausage was to make it yourself. She insisted that the combination of sweet apples and earthy sage was a match made in heaven. I was skeptical, but I gave it a shot. The result was a revelation. The sweet, juicy bits of apple complemented the savory ground pork perfectly, while the fresh sage added a warm, aromatic depth that was just incredible. These apple sage pork sausage patties became our new Sunday morning tradition. It’s a simple recipe, but it turns a regular breakfast into a truly memorable occasion, and it proves that the best food is often made at home.

Why Homemade Sausage is a Game Changer

You might be thinking, “Why go to the trouble of making your own sausage?” The answer is simple: control and flavor. Store-bought sausages, while convenient, often contain a lot of fillers, preservatives, and high levels of sodium. When you make your own homemade sausage patties, you know exactly what’s going into them. You can choose high-quality ground pork and season it to your exact liking. The flavor is a million times better, too. The fresh sage and finely diced apple give these pork sausage patties a flavor that is both bright and savory, with a subtle sweetness that is utterly addictive.

This recipe is also surprisingly quick and easy. The process takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, and the results are well worth the minimal effort. It’s a fantastic way to elevate your morning routine, and it’s a great healthy breakfast sausage option since you control the ingredients. They’re perfect for a quick weekday breakfast, but they feel special enough for a lazy weekend brunch. The aroma alone as they cook will have everyone running to the kitchen!

✅ Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to a delicious meal. This list uses simple items you can easily find, but the combination is what makes them truly special.

• 1 pound ground pork²
• 1/2 cup finely diced apple (I like to use a sweet-tart apple like a Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
• 2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper³
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder⁴
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder⁵
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for cooking)
• A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)⁶

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple, numbered steps to create a flavorful and satisfying meal.

1. Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, finely diced apple, fresh sage, dried thyme, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. Use your hands to gently mix the ingredients together until they are evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the patties tough.⁷
2. Form the Patties: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions.⁸ Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it into a patty about 1/2-inch thick. Press gently to compact the mixture.
3. Cook a Test Patty: This is my secret trick! Before you cook the whole batch, cook one small test patty. This allows you to check for seasoning and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. I’ve found that ground pork needs a little more salt than you might think to bring out all the flavors.
4. Cook the Patties: Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.⁹ Add the sausage patties to the hot skillet in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown on both sides and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).¹⁰
5. Drain and Serve: Once the patties are cooked, transfer them to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain any excess fat.¹¹ This will keep them from being greasy.
6. Enjoy: Serve immediately with your favorite breakfast sides. The sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors are a perfect way to start your day.

🌟 Creative Variations & Serving Suggestions

This recipe is fantastic as is, but a great cook knows that a recipe is just a starting point. Here are some ideas to take your apple pork sausage patties to the next level.

• Add a Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat in your breakfast, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture.¹² It complements the sweet apple and savory sage beautifully.
• Make it into a Loaf: Instead of patties, you can form the mixture into a meatloaf-style loaf and bake it in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-40 minutes. It’s great for slicing and serving a crowd.
• Try a Different Fruit: While apple and sage are a classic pairing, you can get creative. Try using finely diced pear or a little bit of maple syrup in the mixture for a sweeter flavor. You can also add some dried cranberries for a tart kick.
• Add a Different Herb: If you’re not a huge fan of sage, you can substitute it with fresh rosemary or a combination of parsley and chives. The possibilities are endless!

For serving, these sausage patties are the perfect side for a big breakfast with scrambled eggs and roasted potatoes. They also make a fantastic addition to a breakfast sandwich on a toasted English muffin with a slice of cheese. Or, crumble them and use them in a frittata or an egg casserole for a savory, hearty meal.

Common Questions About This Recipe

Even with a straightforward recipe, questions can pop up. Let’s tackle some of the most common ones about making this delicious dish.

• What kind of ground pork should I use? I recommend using ground pork that has a decent amount of fat content. The fat is what keeps the patties moist and flavorful. Look for ground pork that is at least 80/20.
• Can I use dried sage instead of fresh? You can, but it’s not the same. Dried sage is much more potent than fresh, so you’ll want to use about one-third of the amount. For this recipe, that would be about 2 teaspoons of dried sage. I highly recommend using fresh if you can, as it adds a brighter, more nuanced flavor.
• Why did my patties shrink? This is a normal part of cooking sausage. As the fat renders and the protein fibers tighten, the patties will shrink a little. To minimize this, don’t overmix the sausage and don’t press them down too hard while they cook.¹³
• Can I freeze these? Absolutely! You can freeze the uncooked patties for up to 3 months. Just lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between each patty. You can cook them directly from frozen, but you’ll need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
• What if I don’t have a meat thermometer? A meat thermometer is the best way to ensure your sausage is cooked to a safe temperature.¹⁴ If you don’t have one, you can tell they’re done when the centers are no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Nutritional Information

Here is a general nutritional breakdown for one serving (one patty) of this delicious apple sage sausage recipe.

Note: Nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

This homemade sausage offers a great source of protein to start your day. By making it yourself, you avoid a lot of the hidden sodium and fat found in many store-bought options. It’s a delicious and wholesome alternative that you can feel good about.

A Final Word on the Perfect Breakfast

These apple sage pork sausage patties are a perfect example of how a little bit of effort can make a huge difference in your cooking. They’re a flavorful, wholesome, and incredibly satisfying way to start your day. They’re proof that you don’t have to be a professional chef to create something truly delicious and memorable. It’s the kind of recipe that will become a part of your family’s traditions, and I guarantee you’ll never go back to the pre-packaged stuff.

I hope this recipe inspires you to take your breakfast to the next level. It’s a quick, healthy, and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s a dish that will earn you a standing ovation, whether you’re serving it to your family or just enjoying a quiet meal by yourself.

I’d love to hear how it turns out for you! What are your favorite breakfast traditions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!