There’s nothing quite like the aroma of sizzling breakfast sausage in the morning. If you love the taste of Jimmy Dean breakfast sausages but want a homemade, preservative-free version, you’re in the right place. This Copycat Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage recipe delivers the same signature flavors, making it a fantastic option for meal prep, weekend brunch, or even breakfast-for-dinner nights.

With a few simple ingredients and a little prep, you can create savory, perfectly seasoned breakfast patties that taste just like the store-bought version—only better. Plus, making them at home means you can customize the flavor, control the quality of meat, and even make them healthier…sorry Jimmy 😉

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Tastes Just Like the Real Thing

If you’ve ever had a Jimmy Dean sausage patty, you know they have a distinct balance of savory, slightly sweet, and mildly spicy flavors. This homemade version replicates that signature taste, using the perfect blend of seasonings.

2. Healthier & Preservative-Free

One of the best reasons to make these sausages from scratch is that you know exactly what’s going into them. No fillers, additives, or artificial preservatives—just wholesome ingredients.

3. Budget-Friendly

Buying pre-made sausage can be expensive, but making it yourself is much more cost-effective. You can make a big batch for a fraction of the price, especially if you find ground meat on sale.

4. Customizable to Your Tastes

Want it spicier? Add some crushed red pepper. Need it to be lower in fat? Use leaner ground meats. Love maple-flavored sausage? Add a touch of syrup. The beauty of homemade sausage is that you control the flavor profile.

5. Perfect for Meal Prep & Freezing

These sausage patties are ideal for batch cooking and freezing. Make a large batch, freeze them, and enjoy easy, homemade breakfast sausage all week long.

What You’ll Need To Make These Breakfast Sausages:

• pork meat
• spices
• brown sugar

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

One of the best things about making your own breakfast sausage is the flexibility to adjust the ingredients to suit your dietary needs and flavor preferences.

1. Choosing the Right Meat

The classic Jimmy Dean sausage is made with pork, but you can easily switch things up:

• Ground Turkey or Chicken – A leaner alternative with a milder flavor.
• Ground Beef – Works well but may taste more like a burger than a traditional sausage.
• A Mix of Meats – Combining pork with turkey or beef can provide great texture and balance.

2. Adjusting the Sweetness

The hint of sweetness is key to the Jimmy Dean flavor. Here’s how you can achieve that:

• Brown Sugar – A classic option for a mild, caramel-like sweetness.
• Maple Syrup – For a rich, maple-infused taste.
• Honey – A natural sweetener that also adds moisture.

3. Controlling the Spice Level

If you love spicier sausage, try adding:

• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Cayenne pepper
• Extra black pepper

For a milder version, reduce or skip the spicier ingredients and stick to basic seasonings.

4. Adding Extra Flavor

Want to elevate your sausage even more? Try these add-ins:

• Fennel Seeds – Adds a mild Italian sausage-like taste.
• Paprika – Enhances color and smoky depth.

How to Store, Freeze, and Make Ahead

Since these homemade breakfast sausages are so easy to store and reheat, they make an excellent meal prep option.

Storing Fresh Sausage

• After forming the sausage patties, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days before cooking.

Tips for the Best Homemade Breakfast Sausage

• For Extra Juiciness: Add 1-2 tbsp of cold bacon fat to the mix.
• For a Finer Texture: Pulse the mixture in a food processor for a smoother consistency.
• To Make Bulk Sausage (No Patties): Simply brown the seasoned meat in a skillet, breaking it up with a spatula.

Freezing Instructions

Homemade sausage freezes beautifully, making it perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts.

Freezing Uncooked Patties

1. Form the sausage patties and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
2. Freeze for 1-2 hours, or until solid.
3. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper.
4. Label and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To cook from frozen: No need to thaw! Just cook the frozen patties in a skillet over medium heat for a few extra minutes per side.

Freezing Cooked Sausage Patties

1. Let the cooked patties cool completely.
2. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
3. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, using parchment paper between layers.
4. Store for up to 3 months.

To reheat: Microwave for 30-60 seconds, or warm them in a skillet over low heat.

Make-Ahead Instructions

If you love meal prepping, here’s how you can make your mornings easier:

• Mix the sausage meat ahead of time and store it in the fridge overnight. This allows the flavors to develop even more.
• Shape the patties in advance so they’re ready to cook when needed.
• Cook a batch on the weekend and refrigerate or freeze them for quick weekday breakfasts.

Serving Suggestions

These breakfast sausages are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of breakfast dishes.

Classic Breakfast Plate

Serve the sausages alongside:

• Scrambled or fried eggs
• Hash browns or home fries
• Toast or biscuits

Breakfast Sandwiches

Turn these into a homemade breakfast sandwich by layering a patty with:

• A fried egg
• Cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack)
• An English muffin or bagel

Biscuits and Gravy

Crumble the sausage into a skillet, add flour and milk, and turn it into a hearty sausage gravy served over biscuits.

Sausage and Pancakes

Maple syrup and sausage are a match made in heaven. Serve them alongside fluffy pancakes for a classic sweet-and-savory combo.

Keto or Low-Carb Option

If you’re avoiding carbs, serve these sausages with eggs, avocado, and sautéed greens for a high-protein, low-carb meal.

Breakfast Burrito:

Check out this Breakfast Burrito post I have on the site (you can see that whole recipe here):

Making your own Copycat Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage at home is not only easy but also a healthier and more affordable alternative to store-bought versions. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a batch that’s just as flavorful and juicy—if not better!

Whether you meal prep for the week, freeze them for later, or enjoy them fresh off the skillet, these homemade sausage patties are guaranteed to be a breakfast favorite in your home.

So why not ditch the store-bought stuff and give this homemade version a try? Once you do, you may never go back!

Homemade Breakfast Sausage

Once you see how easy (and yummy) homemade breakfast sausage are - and how much better they are for you - you'll never go back to store bought again!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced minced (about ¾ c)
• 1 pound ground pork (you can sub in ground chicken or beef) 454 grams
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tsp oregano, dried
• ¼ tsp ground sage
• 1 tsp brown sugar

Instructions

 

• In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the onions and cook, stirring often to ensure they don't burn, and cook for about 5 minutes or until they are soft; add the onions to a large bowl and set the pan aside.
• To the same bowl, add the ground meat and the seasoning (salt, pepper, oregano, sage and brown sugar)); mix to combine and form into small patties (I won't give you sizes as you can make them as big or small as you like - mine are usually 2 tbsp per patty).
• In the same pan you cooked the onions, add the patties and brown on each side (the time you cook will depend on how thick you make them); once they are cooked through, serve immediately (they can also be frozen).