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.
Turkey sausage is a tasty, leaner alternative to pork sausage that can be used in all sorts of delicious dishes. But cooking turkey sausage properly is important – if undercooked it poses a safety risk, while overcooking leads to dry, flavorless meat So what temperature should turkey sausage be cooked to for best results? Let’s take a detailed look
Why Temperature Matters with Turkey Sausage
Getting the internal temperature right when cooking turkey sausage is critical for two reasons:
Food Safety
Like all ground poultry products, raw turkey sausage can potentially harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. Coli. Cooking to the proper internal temperature helps kill any dangerous pathogens that may be present.
The USDA recommends cooking raw turkey sausage to a minimum safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) This temperature has been shown to effectively reduce the risk of foodborne illness
Texture and Moisture
Turkey sausage is quite lean and can dry out quickly during cooking. Going even a little over 165°F internally can make the sausage dry, crumbly and less juicy. An accurate meat thermometer is essential for stopping the cook at just the right moment for moist, tender results.
So 165°F is really the temperature sweet spot for turkey sausage that eliminates safety concerns while maintaining texture and moisture.
Turkey Sausage Temperature Guidelines
Raw Turkey Sausage
For any raw, uncooked turkey sausage, whether links or ground, the USDA recommends cooking to 165°F minimum. This includes:
- Raw ground turkey sausage or patties
- Fresh (uncooked) turkey sausage links or rolls
- Frozen raw turkey sausage products
Cook frozen sausage thoroughly until it reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Pre-Cooked Turkey Sausage
Many turkey sausage options today come fully cooked or smoked. These include:
- Pre-cooked smoked turkey sausage links or rolls
- Pre-cooked turkey breakfast sausage patties
For these pre-cooked varieties, you just need to reheat to 165°F before serving. They don’t require lengthy cooking times.
Leftover Turkey Sausage
Leftover fully-cooked turkey sausage that has been refrigerated should also be reheated to 165°F for food safety. Use a meat thermometer to verify.
Ground Turkey Sausage Meat Loaf, Patties, etc.
Ground turkey sausage is often used in meat loaf, patties, balls, stuffed peppers or other dishes. Cook these turkey sausage dishes to the usual minimum temperature for ground poultry, which is 165°F. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part.
How Long to Cook Turkey Sausage
Cook times for turkey sausage can vary quite a bit depending on:
- Size and shape of sausage
- Pan vs. oven cooking
- Frozen vs. thawed
- Pre-cooked vs. raw
Here are some general turkey sausage cook times based on testing with a meat thermometer:
- Small raw turkey sausage patties (2 oz):
- Pan-fried: About 10 minutes total over medium heat
- Oven at 400°F: 10-12 minutes
- Larger raw turkey sausage patties or links (4 oz):
- Pan fried: 12-15 minutes
- Oven at 400°F: 15-18 minutes
- Frozen raw turkey sausage patties (2 oz):
- Pan-fried: 12-15 minutes
- Oven at 400°F: 15 minutes
- Pre-cooked smoked turkey sausage links:
- Pan-fried: 6-8 minutes
- Oven at 400°F: 10-12 minutes
The times above are just general guidelines. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp and determine doneness!
Tips for Cooking Moist, Juicy Turkey Sausage
Because turkey sausage is so lean, it can easily dry out during cooking. Here are some tips for keeping it moist and flavorful:
- Don’t overcook. This is the #1 rule! Use a meat thermometer and stop cooking at 165°F.
- Use a lower oven temp (325-375°F). The high heat of 400+ degrees can dry out the exterior.
- Pan-fry over medium or medium-low heat. Too high heat can overbrown the sausage before the interior is done.
- Avoid deep-frying. The hot oil cooks the sausage unevenly and quickly dries it out.
- Bake on a foil-lined sheet. The foil helps retain moisture and allows bottom browning.
- Brush with oil or broth. Adding fat/liquid on the surface as it cooks adds back moisture.
With careful temperature monitoring and these simple moisture-adding tricks, you can enjoy tender and juicy turkey sausage every time!
Common Problems and Solutions
Having issues getting perfect turkey sausage? Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Problem: Turkey sausage is tough, dry or crumbly when cooked.
Solution: It was likely overcooked beyond 165°F internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer and avoid cooking too long. Also use lower oven temps and pan-fry over medium heat.
Problem: Turkey sausage has raw texture or pink color inside when cut.
Solution: It was undercooked and didn’t reach 165°F internally. Always cook until thermometer confirms safe 165°F temperature.
Problem: Turkey sausage is burnt or charred on the outside but underdone inside.
Solution: The pan or oven heat was too high, over-browning the exterior before interior was cooked. Use more moderate heat and cook more slowly.
Problem: Pre-cooked turkey sausage is still pink inside when reheated.
Solution: The sausage needs to be heated to 165°F for food safety. Continue reheating until it reaches the proper internal temp.
Problem: My turkey sausage ended up too spicy and flavor overpowers the dish!
Solution: Look for mild or less spicy turkey sausage options next time, or reduce any spices and seasonings added to the sausage itself.
The Takeaway on Turkey Sausage Temperature
Following proper temperature guidelines is crucial for cooking safe, moist and delicious turkey sausage. Quickly referencing this summary can help:
- Cook raw turkey sausage to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F.
- 165°F is also the ideal temp for reheating pre-cooked turkey sausage.
- Employ moist cooking methods like moderate oven temps and pan-frying over medium heat.
- Use a meat thermometer to monitor temperature instead of relying on cook times.
- At 165°F the sausage is perfectly cooked, safe and juicy.
So grab your favorite turkey sausage, a thermometer, and start cooking up some tasty dishes the right way! Getting the temperature right makes all the difference.
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.
What is turkey sausage good for?
FAQ
What temperature is turkey sausage done?
How do you tell if turkey sausage is cooked all the way?
Can turkey sausage be a little pink?
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 long to cook turkey sausage in oven?
Cooking turkey sausages in the oven typically requires a cooking time of 20-25 minutes at a temperature of 375°F (190°C). However, it’s essential to use a meat thermometer to ensure the sausages reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before consuming them.
What temperature should sausage be cooked at?
In contrast, the minimum safe temperature for sausages made from pork like some breakfast sausages is 160 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also many types of turkey sausage that are already fully cooked.
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.
How to cook turkey sausage patties in oven?
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, add a little oil and place your turkey sausage patties on it. Once your oven hits a temperature of 400 degrees, place your turkey sausages in the oven.
Can you cook turkey sausage in a convection oven?
Yes, you can use a convection oven to cook turkey sausages. However, you may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes as convection ovens cook food faster. 5. Can I cook turkey sausage in the oven without preheating?