This versatile breakfast sausage seasoning is your secret weapon for creating that classic morning flavor in any dish. Whether you’re making homemade sausage patties or just want to add that cozy breakfast taste to your favorite hearty potato soup, this simple seasoning blend brings warmth and comfort to your kitchen. With the perfect balance of sage, thyme, and a touch of brown sugar, you’ll never go back to store-bought seasonings again!

Why You’ll Love This Breakfast Sausage Seasoning

Quick 5-minute prep with pantry staples
Perfect balance of sweet and savory
Makes enough for multiple batches of sausage
Customizable heat level with optional cayenne
No artificial ingredients or preservatives
Works beautifully with pork, turkey, or chicken
Stores well for months in your spice cabinet
Fresh, vibrant flavors beat store-bought every time

You’ll get that warm and cozy breakfast sausage flavor thanks to the earthy sage and thyme paired with a touch of brown sugar sweetness. I love having a jar of this ready to go – it’s my go-to for jazzing up weekend breakfast scrambles or adding that classic breakfast punch to turkey patties when I’m craving something lighter.

The best part? You can mix up a small batch for a single recipe or make the full version to keep on hand. Trust me, once you start sprinkling this magical blend into your cooking, you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again!

Ingredients Overview

Let me walk you through each ingredient that makes this breakfast sausage seasoning absolutely perfect! The blend of herbs and spices creates that classic morning sausage flavor we all love.

Brown Sugar: This isn’t just for sweetness! It creates that subtle caramelization we love in breakfast sausage and helps balance the savory herbs. Pack it firmly when measuring – loose sugar will throw off the ratios.
Dried Sage: The star of the show! Sage gives breakfast sausage that distinctive warm, slightly peppery flavor. I love using rubbed sage rather than ground – it releases its oils more gradually for better flavor distribution.
Salt: I use kosher salt for its pure, clean taste. If using table salt, reduce the amount by half since its grains are finer.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground makes such a difference! Just like in my Greek lemon chicken, the pepper adds that perfect hint of heat.
Garlic Powder: Not granulated garlic! Powder distributes more evenly and provides that mellow, savory base note.
Dried Thyme: Works magic with sage and adds an earthy complexity. Like in my lemony shrimp stew, thyme brings everything together.
Cayenne & Cloves (Optional): Just a pinch of each adds wonderful depth without noticeable heat or overwhelming spice.

Success Tips & Tricks

Here are my tried-and-true tips for the perfect seasoning blend every time:

Mix thoroughly but gently. Combine ingredients in a bowl using a whisk rather than a spoon – this prevents the heavier spices from settling at the bottom.
Store properly. Keep in an airtight container away from heat and light. The brown sugar can harden if exposed to moisture, so I pop a piece of bread in the container to keep everything fresh.
Measure precisely. Even small variations can affect the final flavor. Use proper measuring spoons and level them off – especially with potent spices like sage and thyme.
Taste test wisely. When using in recipes, start with less than you think you need. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away! Remember, the flavors bloom during cooking.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let me walk you through making this versatile breakfast sausage seasoning blend that I absolutely love having in my pantry! I’ll share both the full and small batch methods.

For the Full Batch (Makes 1/2 cup):

In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup packed brown sugar, 3 tablespoons dried sage, and 3 tablespoons salt
Add 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme
If desired, incorporate 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and a tiny pinch of ground cloves
Whisk everything together until well combined, breaking up any brown sugar clumps
Transfer to an airtight container or jar

Quick Tip: Before storing, give the mixture a good shake in your container to ensure everything is evenly distributed. Just like my gooey butter cookies, getting the right consistency is key!

Recipe Variations & Uses

This seasoning blend is incredibly versatile – I love experimenting with it in different dishes! Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

Classic Uses:

Mix 2 tablespoons into 1 pound of ground pork for traditional breakfast sausage patties
Season ground turkey for a lighter breakfast option, perfect alongside my slow cooker chicken and rice
Sprinkle into scrambled eggs for a sausage-flavored twist

Creative Applications:

Add to potato hash for extra flavor depth
Season roasted vegetables – especially good with brussels sprouts!
Mix into meatloaf for a breakfast-inspired dinner
Sprinkle over pasta salad for a unique flavor boost

Flavor Variations: Feel free to customize the blend to your taste! Try:

Doubling the black pepper for extra heat
Adding red pepper flakes instead of cayenne
Incorporating dried rosemary for an herbal twist
Using maple sugar instead of brown sugar for a different sweetness profile

FAQs & Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does homemade breakfast sausage seasoning last?

When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, this seasoning blend stays fresh for up to 6 months. Just make sure to give it a good shake before each use to redistribute the ingredients!

Can I make this seasoning blend salt-free?

Absolutely! Simply omit the salt from the recipe. This is perfect if you’re adding the seasoning to pre-salted dishes or want to control your sodium intake. Just remember to add salt separately when using it in unseasoned recipes.

What’s the best way to measure the brown sugar?

Pack the brown sugar firmly into your measuring spoon or cup, just like when making my decadent crème brûlée cheesecake. This ensures you get the right amount of sweetness in your blend.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

You sure can! This recipe multiplies beautifully. Just make sure to maintain the same ratios of ingredients and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices.

Final Thoughts

I’m so excited for you to try this breakfast sausage seasoning! It’s become such a staple in my kitchen, and I love how it transforms ordinary dishes into something special. Whether you’re making traditional breakfast sausage patties or spicing up your morning eggs, this blend brings that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors.

Remember, cooking is all about making things your own, so don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to match your taste preferences. If you make this blend, I’d love to hear how you use it – drop me a comment below! Happy cooking, friends!

Breakfast Sausage Seasoning Recipe