My homemade turkey sausage recipe uses just 6 ingredients and cooks in less than 10 minutes. It’s juicy, healthy, and flavorful and works well as a breakfast sausage.
We love cooking with turkey. It’s lean, packed with protein, and contains barely any saturated fat.
I love a savory breakfast, especially if there is some meat involved. I wanted to make a slightly healthier version of traditional breakfast sausage patties, which is how my turkey breakfast sausage came to be.
Contrary to popular belief, ground turkey works well in recipes traditionally made with ground beef. Stores sell turkey sausage already made, but it’s SO easy and tastes ten times better to make it yourself.
Ground turkey, spices, and some kind of fat (usually olive oil) are what make turkey sausage. It can be made into patties or links. It tastes milder and less meaty, just like my chicken sausage, and it has fewer calories than other sausages. Table of Contents.
How Long Should You Cook Turkey Sausage In The Oven?
Turkey sausage is a leaner, healthier alternative to pork sausage that can be used in a variety of delicious recipes. When cooking turkey sausage in the oven, proper timing is key to ensuring the sausages are fully cooked through without drying out. Follow this guide to learn exactly how long to cook turkey sausage in the oven for safe, juicy results every time.
Choosing The Right Turkey Sausage
There are a few factors to consider when selecting turkey sausage for oven cooking:
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Flavor – Popular varieties include sweet Italian, spicy andouille maple breakfast and bratwurst. Choose a flavor suited to your recipe.
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Size – Opt for standard links around 4-5 inches long. Larger sausages may require longer cook times.
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Raw or Pre-Cooked – Raw sausage requires thorough cooking for safety. Pre-cooked just needs heating through.
Preparing The Sausages
Before cooking, prep your turkey sausages:
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Defrost if frozen – Thaw sausages overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
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Prick skins – Use a fork to poke holes to prevent bursting.
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Line pan – Place sausages on a foil-lined baking sheet to avoid sticking.
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Don’t overcrowd – Leave space between sausages for even cooking.
Oven Temperature
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Preheat oven to 400°F. High heat helps brown and crisp the sausages.
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Lower temperature like 350°F can be used but will increase cook time.
Cook Time
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Raw turkey sausage generally takes 18-22 minutes to fully cook through.
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Pre-cooked or fully cooked just needs 10-12 minutes to heat through.
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Larger links may take a few minutes longer.
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Always use a meat thermometer to confirm sausages reach 165°F internal temperature.
Doneness Cues
Besides temperature, look for these signs your turkey sausage is done:
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Browning on the outside with slight grill marks.
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Firm to the touch when poking with tongs.
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No longer pink inside when cut into.
Tips
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Brush with oil or butter for extra browning and moisture.
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Turn sausages halfway through cooking for even browning.
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Let rest 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to settle.
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Split bigger sausages before cooking if short on time.
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Add roasted vegetables like onions and peppers for extra flavor.
With the right technique, oven-cooked turkey sausage can deliver full flavor with moist, juicy texture. Follow the recommended oven temperature, cook times, and doneness cues for perfectly done sausage every time.
How to make turkey sausage
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post to print out the full recipe instructions and amounts of the ingredients.
Step 1- make the mixture. Add all the ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix together until completely combined.
Step 2- shape. Using your hands, shape the mixture into six patties.
Step 3- Fry. Add oil to a large skillet or pan and place it over medium heat. Once hot, add the breakfast sausage patties and fry for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 4- Serve the sausage immediately with your favorite sides.
- Use a meat thermometer. You don’t want to overcook the turkey sausage because it is made with lean meat. To keep this from happening, I suggest checking the temperature inside with an instant-read thermometer. Ready-to-eat turkey should reach 165F.
- Bake the sausage. If you’d rather bake the turkey sausage than fry it, follow the steps given. Put them on a baking sheet that has been greased and lined with foil. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the sausage reaches 165F inside.
- Change up the seasonings. For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. To make it smokeier, add smoked paprika and a little liquid smoke.
- Add cheese. Because cheese is always a good idea, add 1/4 cup of your favorite shredded cheese to the mix. I personally love mozzarella cheese or cheddar cheese.
To store: Leftover breakfast sausage can be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to five days.
To freeze, put the sausage in a ziplock bag after it has been cooked and cooled. It will stay frozen for up to two months.
Reheating: Microwave the sausage for 30-40 seconds until hot or in a non-stick pan.
Yes! Turkey sausage is naturally lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol compared to pork sausage. It’s a fantastic source of lean protein, so it’s perfect for a healthier diet.
Since you don’t add any fillers, thickeners, or preservatives when you make your own turkey sausage or breakfast sausage, it is not processed meat.
Why I love this recipe
- Healthy and low calorie. Turkey sausage is great to eat every day because it is low in fat and high in protein. My family and I like to use them to make our own sausage McMuffins.
- Cost-effective. You can make your own for a lot less money than buying one that’s already made. You also don’t use any of the thickeners or additives that store-bought brands do.
- Ready in 6 minutes. Set your timer when the sausage hits the pan. Three minutes on each side, and you are done! .
- Tastier than other kinds of sausage. Unlike pork or beef sausage, it doesn’t have strong meaty flavors that can make a dish taste too bland!
- Ground turkey. Lean ground turkey or extra lean ground turkey. I do not suggest the higher-fat cuts because the sausage gets too wet and greasy.
- Olive oil. Even if you use lean meat, adding oil to the patties makes sure they stay juicy and moist in the middle.
- Kosher salt and black pepper. To taste.
- Dried sage. A key spice to enhance the peppery flavors. It’s also the secret ingredient used in McDonald’s sausage!.
- Garlic powder. Adds a subtle garlic flavor without needing fresh garlic.
- Brown sugar OR maple syrup-. Adding a little of either of these sweeteners makes the savory and salty tastes go together better. Trust me, it makes all the difference.
Italian Turkey Sausage
FAQ
How long does turkey sausage take to cook?
How do you know when turkey sausages are cooked?
How long are sausages supposed to be cooked?
How long do you cook turkey sausages in the oven?
Put the sausages in the center of the oven. Turn them over using tongs after about 15 minutes to aid even cooking and to prevent burns from the roasting pan’s rack. Bake the turkey sausages until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How long should turkey sausage be cooked at 375?
As a general guideline, turkey sausages should be cooked at a temperature of 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes. However, it is important to note that cooking times may differ slightly depending on the specific brand and thickness of the sausages. It is always recommended to refer to the package instructions for the most accurate cooking time.
What temperature do you cook turkey sausage in the oven?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for cooking turkey sausage. This temperature will allow the sausage to cook through while maintaining a juicy and flavorful result. How do I prepare the turkey sausage for oven cooking?
How do you cook turkey sausage links?
Cut turkey sausage links apart with a sharp knife. To help the sausages brown as they cook, you can brush them with a little cooking oil or melted butter — preferably unsalted, since sausage is usually fairly salty. Grease the rack of a roasting pan, oven-safe casserole or baking sheet and line the sausages without letting them touch each other.
How long do you cook sausages in the oven?
Once seasoned, pop the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake the sausages for around 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and nicely browned. To ensure they are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the sausages. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
How do you cook a turkey sausage in a crock pot?
Place the turkey sausages on the baking sheet, making sure they are evenly spaced out. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the sausages or spray them with cooking spray. This will help them brown and prevent sticking. Season the sausages with your desired spices and herbs.