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Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage or Chicken Sausage

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Although you can usually find Italian Turkey Sausage or Chicken Sausage in most supermarkets, after many requests I created this homemade version.

Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage or Chicken Sausage
Homemade Italian Sausage

Preparing homemade turkey sausage gives you more control of how much fat and what seasonings go into your sausage. If you want to avoid preservatives and added flavors, this is a great base. You can use this in any recipes that call for crumbled sausage such as Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, Pasta with Italian Sausage, Escarole and Peppers or Sausage White Bean and Kale Soup.

Homemade Turkey Sausage

Variations

Adjust the seasoning to your liking using the spices you desire.

  • If you like spicy sausage, add crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne and chili powder.
  • Other combinations I love add Romano Cheese and Basil
  • Add Rosemary and Chopped Sundried Tomatoes
  • Make breakfast sausage with Smoked Paprika and Grated Apple or Maple.
  • And yes, you can use ground chicken in place of turkey. You could even use veggie crumbles to make it vegan.

how to make homemade Italian turkey sausageHomemade Italian Turkey Sausage or Chicken Sausage

 

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Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage

4.93 from 14 votes
5
Cals:129.4
Protein:16.7
Carbs:2.2
Fat:6.1
Although you can usually find Italian Turkey Sausage or Chicken Sausage in most supermarkets, after many requests I created this homemade version.
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Homemade Turkey Sausage
Yield: 5 servings
Serving Size: 4 ounces

Ingredients

  • 1.3 lbs 93% lean ground turkey
  • 1/4 cup green bell pepper, minced
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/8 tsp dried oregano leaves
  • 1/8 tsp dried marjoram leaves
  • 1/4 tsp dried fennel
  • 1 tsp sugar

Instructions

  • Combine turkey, garlic and spices and mix well using your hands or a fork.
    Homemade Turkey Sausage
  • You can form them into patties or use this in recipes where crumbled sausage is called for.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Serving: 4 ounces, Calories: 129.4 kcal, Carbohydrates: 2.2 g, Protein: 16.7 g, Fat: 6.1 g, Sodium: 180.6 mg, Fiber: 0.4 g, Sugar: 1.3 g

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52 comments on “Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage or Chicken Sausage”

  1. Great taste, don’t leave anything out. I now mix this ground up version with scrambled eggs and potatoes to makes some delicious tacos. Freezing portions for at least 3 additional meals.

  2. Thanks! I’ve been looking for this because no matter how many times I put turkey sausage on the shopping list, hubby always comes home with pork sausage. Now I can just put ground turkey. Mwahahahaha.

  3. Love this recipe! It turned out exactly as pictured. I don’t like fennel, so skipped it. I also added a little sage and basil to the turkey mixture. The sauce I used was a little spicy and perfectly complimented the Italian turkey sausage. This one is a definite keeper!

  4. Loved this recipe. Was looking for pork alternative. And the flavors of this was so much better then the pork Italian sausage we use to get.

  5. Very nice recipe chef 👍👌👏.. I made them roll to sausages and I steam them 😋.. Thank you for your effort 🌹🌞😎.

  6. Loved this recipe! I had a 1 lb. chub of frozen/thawed ground turkey. I didn’t have fresh peppers, so I used some dried veg. (I think it was peppers, mushrooms,  and tomatoes?) and chopped them finely.  I LIGHTLY mixed the ingredients (since the meat could easily turn into mush). I spread it in a hot, lightly oiled skillet, and resisted the urge to stir. Flipped it in big pieces, and still make myself not chop-chop-chop. Once it was pretty much cooked, I broke it into pieces. I made zucchini boats. Thanks for the excellent recipe. It’s a keeper.

  7. Used ground turkey to make this recipe.  It was absolutely delicious.  Because I was trying to use it in a recipe that otherwise called for pork sausage, I modified your recipe to add sage and little avocado oil.  Turned out great!

  8. Thank you! Where I live, turkey or chicken Italian sausage is a rare find, and I have my daughter bring several pounds each time she visits! I’m delighted to have a recipe to make it myself. 

    1. Avatar photo
      Dave the Foodie from Parksville, BC, Canada.

      Here is a recipe I use for Italian Sausage Spice Recipe:

      • 1 pound freshly ground well-marbled pork butt*
      • OR
      • *can substitute ground chicken, turkey or meat of choice
      • 1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
      • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
      • 1 tablespoon red wine
      • 1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika
      • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt – cut salt
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely cracked black peppercorns (toast in a dry skillet for a minute or two until fragrant for maximum flavor)
      • 1 teaspoon coarsely cracked fennel seeds (toast in a dry skillet for a minute or two until fragrant for maximum flavor)
      • 1 teaspoon onion powder
      • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (omit if you want a mild sausage)
      • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
      • 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
      • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
      • 1/4 teaspoon dried ground sage- mix into meat, let marinate over night if possible for max flavour. Hope this helps, Dave the Foodie from Parksville, BC, Canada.

  9. This is fabulous!  I am not good at mincing so I put the peppers in the food processor.  Then drained the liquid off, added spices and turkey. I made in the morning and put it in the refrigerator for dinner. Then cooked it up and added some of it to our pasta tonight. Even my picky eater loved it.  A win!  And so healthy!

  10. That was super easy and amazingly good. I cooked the sausage in crumbles and added them to my breakfast soufflés.  Thanks Gina.!!!

  11. So good, my go to sausage now. I mix 99 percent and 94 percent fat free ground turkey, make this and use it for recipes calling for sausage. I freeze it and have some on hand. Just did the your Delicata stuffed with sausage and used this recipe in it. It is a favorite. Thank you

    1. I use the dried ground fennel instead of the seeds as I don’t like fennel seeds in my sausage and it works out just the same for me

      1. I live in Alaska and even though there are major chains here, most don’t carry turkey Italian sausage and I have a chicken allergy to this is perfect . Thanks !

  12. Oh my, this looks fabulous. I am going to make this to use with your turkey sausage, kale and white bean soup!

    I enjoy skinnytaste!

  13. Pingback: Healthier Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana – Angie In Progress

  14. This Italian sausage is really good! Looks like onion is in your photo, no onion is listed in the recipe. 

  15. Made this today… Cheated a little. I had two chubs of jennie-o turkey breakfast sausage I bought on sale and needed to use up. I looked at your recipe for turkey sausage and decided to just fry it up with fennel seeds and some finely diced orange pepper. Then I added some better than boulion chicken base + water, brought to a boil and threw in some gnocchi and white beans. As soon as the gnocchi rose to the top, I ladled the soup over bowls of baby kale mix. It was super yummy and even my old dad ate it and I can't get him to eat greens for the life of me!

    1. Ooops… I put this on the wrong recipe… sorry.. I meant https://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/01/turkey-sausage-kale-and-white-bean-soup.html

  16. WOW! I have been missing sausage because it is all made with nitrates. Now I can make my sausage and peppers and manja!

  17. For months now, I have been searching for a good home-made turkey sausage recipe. Thanks so much for posting Gina. I have been enjoying your site for several years now – you're the best!

  18. My local grocery store doesn't have chicken sausage… I've looked for it everywhere. Now I can just buy chicken breasts, put them in the food processer and make my own chicken sausage! Awesome!!

  19. Anonymous…You can actually just select the recepie that you like along with the picture, then copy in into a word doc and print it.

  20. I loved this recipe. I used it in the white bean, sausage and kale soup. Soooo easy to make and it really spiced up the soup. I didn't have any marjoram or paprika so I subbed corriander and it still tasted great! My Thank you! Kristen

  21. @babydog2- no not yet!

    You can just print page 1 instead of all pages.

    This is good when you can't find turkey sausage. It's not always available everywhere.

  22. Hi Gina…your website has been a treasure trove for my friend and I who are WW'ing together. I was wondering, is there a way to print the recipes without all the comments that follow. When I hit the print this recipe button–it does the whole thing.

    Thanks,

    Cathy

  23. Oh, thank you for posting this recipe! I don't use sausage often, but it's nice to have an alternative when you do need it. I'll be making this for sure!

  24. Made the Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts and Feta cheese, tonight. It was really easy to make and turned out great! I will definitely make this again!!!