Homemade Italian Sausage Seasoning {5 Minutes and Versatility}

If you’re like me, you use a lot of sausage in everything from baked pasta to stir-fries to soups. But store-bought products can be expensive or contain sodium and additives. That’s why I started making my own Homemade Italian Sausage Seasoningnow I will never go back.

It’s made with everyday pantry spices (no special trip to the grocery store required!) and works with any ground meat you like, such as turkey, chicken, beef, pork, or even plant-based ground meats. It adds classic sausage flavor including garlic, fennel, Italian herbs and a hint of spice. You can customize it to your liking, or even better? Ready in less than 5 minutes!

before starting

Here are some helpful tips to help you get the most out of your homemade sausage seasoning:

• Start with quality meat: To make your own sausage, start with ground meat. You can use ground turkey, chicken, pork, beef or a combination of proteins. For a more traditional sausage texture, choose ground meat with a certain fat content (75%-85%). If you just want flavor but can tolerate lean protein, use lean ground pork.
• Double or triple the spice mix: Store it in a small jar and keep it on hand for quick meals. It stays fresh in the spice drawer for up to 6 months.
• Adjust to your taste: Like it a little spicy? Add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper. Want a more herbal flavor? Add a little extra fennel or dried sage.
• Let the flavors meld: If you have time, let the seasoned meat rest for 15-30 minutes before cooking. It makes the taste better.
• Make it meatless: This seasoning pairs well with plant-based mince or vegetarian tempeh.

How to Make Italian Sausage Seasoning

Here’s how to make your own healthy Italian sausage in minutes.

1. Mix the seasonings

In a small bowl, combine all the spices: dried parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, paprika, fennel, and red pepper flakes (if using).

Pro tip: Taste a pinch of the spice mix and adjust to your liking before adding it to the meat.

2. Mix with minced meat

Add 1 tablespoon seasoning per ½ pound of ground meat (or 2 tablespoons per pound). Mix until evenly distributed. You can now cook it into crumbles, form into patties, or roll into meatballs.

3. Cook and enjoy

Brown sausage in a skillet, bake meatballs or pan-fried meatloaf, then use them in pasta, sandwiches or breakfast bowls!

Recipe Tips and Ideas

There are endless uses for this seasoning combination. Here are some delicious ways to use it:

• Make Sausage Patties: Perfect for breakfast or meal prep – simply shape and fry until golden and cooked through.
• Make meatballs: Add 1 egg and ¼ cup bread crumbs to meat mixture and bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes.
• For pasta or soup: Brown the sausage and stir it into pasta sauce, zoodles, lentil soup or stuffed peppers.
• Roast vegetables with it: Sprinkle cauliflower, potatoes or zucchini with spice mixture and bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes.
• Stuff it into mushrooms or peppers: Mix sausage with a little cheese and breadcrumbs, stuff it with vegetables, and bake it for a satisfying meal.
• Go meatless: Add it to lentils, tempeh, or crumbled tofu for a plant-based sausage flavor.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Homemade Sausage Seasoning is great for planning ahead!

• To store seasonings: Store in an airtight jar in your spice drawer for up to 6 months.
• To store seasoned meat: Store raw seasoned sausage in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
• Frozen meatloaf or meatballs: Sausage patties and meatballs freeze well, cooked or uncooked. Separate layers with parchment paper and store in freezer-safe bags.