Making your own sausage seasoning is an absolute game-changer, and honestly, once you try homemade, you’ll never go back to those store-bought packets again. There’s something so satisfying about blending your own spice mix and knowing exactly what’s going into your sausage. This recipe is incredibly versatile – use it for breakfast links, Italian sausage for pasta dishes, or even ground sausage for tacos and casseroles.
I’ve been making this seasoning blend for years, and it’s become my go-to for everything from simple weeknight dinners to impressive dinner party entrées. The beauty of this recipe is that you can adjust the heat level and spice intensity to match your personal preferences. Some people love it smoky and bold, while others prefer a lighter, more herbaceous touch. The wonderful thing about making your own blend is that flexibility.
This sausage seasoning is perfect for creating homemade sausage to pair with rich cream sauces, or you can incorporate it into creamy pasta dishes. The seasoning also works beautifully with chicken and other proteins. For a complete meal, serve your seasoned sausage alongside roasted shishito peppers or green beans with bacon.
One of my favorite things about this blend is how quickly it comes together. You literally just need to measure out your spices, combine them, and you’re done. Store it in an airtight container, and you’ll have seasoning ready to go for multiple batches of sausage. According to Serious Eats’ guide to homemade sausage, the key to great sausage seasoning is using fresh spices and getting the proportions right. This recipe has been tested and perfected to give you that restaurant-quality flavor at home.
Whether you’re grinding your own pork and making fresh sausage patties or using ground sausage in a recipe, this seasoning blend will elevate your cooking instantly. The combination of warm spices, herbs, and just the right amount of heat creates a complex flavor profile that’s so much more interesting than anything you’ll find in a packet. I love how Bon Appétit breaks down sausage making, and this seasoning is the foundation of that technique.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
Instructions
- Gather all your dried spices and herbs. If using whole fennel seeds, you have the option to lightly crush them in a mortar and pestle for a more intense flavor, or leave them whole for texture.
- Measure out the kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper into a small bowl.
- Add the fennel seeds (whole or crushed) to the salt and pepper mixture.
- Add the garlic powder and onion powder to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the dried sage, dried thyme, and dried oregano to the mixture.
- Stir in the paprika, which will add color and a subtle sweetness to your blend.
- Add the crushed red pepper flakes and adjust the amount based on how spicy you like your sausage.
- Grate fresh nutmeg directly into the bowl – this step makes a huge difference in flavor compared to pre-ground nutmeg.
- Add the cayenne pepper and ground coriander, stirring well to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Mix all ingredients together thoroughly, breaking up any clumps with the back of a spoon.
- Transfer the seasoning blend to an airtight container or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Label your container with the date and contents for easy reference.
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources for up to 3 months.
- When ready to use, measure out approximately 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground meat or sausage.
- Mix the seasoning thoroughly with your meat until evenly distributed before cooking or forming into patties.
Pro Tips
When it comes to storage, keep this seasoning in an airtight container away from heat and light. A glass jar with a tight-sealing lid works beautifully and lets you see your seasoning at a glance. Properly stored, this blend will maintain its potency for about three months, though I find myself making fresh batches more frequently because it’s so quick and easy.
For the best flavor, I highly recommend using freshly ground black pepper and freshly grated nutmeg rather than pre-ground versions. The difference is truly remarkable and worth the extra minute or two. You can grind peppercorns in a pepper mill or spice grinder, and nutmeg is incredibly easy to grate with a microplane or box grater.
This seasoning works beautifully for both fresh sausage and ground sausage applications. Use it to season two to three pounds of ground pork for homemade sausage patties, or add it to ground sausage for pasta dishes, casseroles, and more. Some people like to mix it with a small amount of ice water or wine to create a paste before adding it to their meat – this helps distribute the seasonings more evenly.
You can also customize this blend based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences. Some people add a touch of brown sugar or maple for sweetness, while others incorporate smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for a deeper, smokier flavor. Feel free to experiment and make this recipe your own.
For Italian sausage specifically, you might want to increase the fennel seeds slightly and add a touch more oregano. For breakfast sausage, you could add a bit of sage and thyme for an earthier profile. The versatility of this base recipe is truly one of its greatest strengths.
When storing opened containers of spices and herbs, always keep them away from your stove and in a cool place, as heat causes them to lose potency more quickly. Some people prefer to store their seasoning blends in the freezer for extended freshness, which is absolutely an option if you’re not using it frequently.
Make multiple batches of this seasoning at once and share with friends and family – it makes a thoughtful homemade gift that any cooking enthusiast will appreciate. Package it in small jars with a label describing the contents and usage instructions, and you have a personalized present that cost just a few dollars but shows real care and effort.