Here’s a better-tasting breakfast sausage from scratch – with mushrooms! Not only do these savory sausages taste better, but they are richer in nutrition.
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Now…onto today’s featured Healthy Kitchen Hack:
BETTER-TASTING BREAKFAST SAUSAGE [WITH MUSHROOMS!] VIDEO
“They’re really, really good.”
That’s what my 10-year old said when I asked her what I should write about these Mushroom Breakfast Sausages. She’s a girl of few words.
Pork sausage was not something that often made it onto this dietitian’s menu. (But, bacon? That’s another story altogether. See >> Maple Bacon Scones and Butternut Squash and Bacon One-Pot Pasta.)
Then, a farmer friend gave us some of his farm-raised ground pork. I had some mushrooms in the fridge – and these breakfast sausages were born.
Now we have these breakfast sausages often. And not just for breakfast.
The Mushroom folks call this #HealthyKitchenHack of replacing some of the meat with mushrooms, The Blend. Here’s the formula I use:
>> Add an 8-ounce package of mushrooms to each 1-pound of meat
Here are a few other tips I use for mushroom ‘Blend-ing’:
- Mince finely with a knife. Or pulse mushrooms a few times in your food processor.
- Saute 8-ounces of mushrooms in 1 tablespoon oil – or not. OR, for a shortcut, just add raw chopped mushrooms – you’ll get a bit less mushroom-y flavor. But you’ll still get all the nutrition and moisture in the meat patties. (And some kids like ‘less mushroom.’)
- Mushrooms act as a binder, so no other binders are needed in meat patties. No breadcrumbs. No eggs. #easypeasy
- Use spices:
- For pork, go Italian: fennel, oregano, garlic powder, black pepper
- For beef, go spicy: cumin, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes
Mushroom add the goodness of veggies to meat:
- Lower fat – Mushrooms replace some of the saturated fat in meat by decreasing the amount of meat in 1 patty (see below.) But meat tastes just as ‘meaty,’ because mushrooms soak up flavorful meat juices.
- More for your money – Normally a pound of meat yields 4 burgers, by adding (inexpensive) white mushrooms, you get at least 6-7 big meaty burgers.
- Increased nutrients – Mushrooms contain potassium, selenium, vitamin D, and fiber, among other nutrients.
Plus, IMO, Mushroom Breakfast Sausage Patties taste waaaay better than plain sausage patties. Better-Tasting Breakfast Sausage (with Mushrooms!) #HealthyKitchenHack via @TspCurry Click To Tweet
EQUIPMENT: My favorite pan to saute mushrooms: All-Clad Saute Pan [affiliate link]
PrintBetter-Tasting Breakfast Sausage (with Mushrooms!)
- Yield: 6 sausage patties 1x
Description
Make better-tasting breakfast sausage from scratch by adding the nutrition and flavor of sauteed mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil
- 8-ounce package of white button mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano, crushed between your fingertips
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large saute pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring, for 5-7 minutes until beginning to turn golden. Scrape into a bowl to cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, add pork, oregano, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and mushrooms. Mix gently with your hands to combine.
- Shape into six patties and place on a broiler pan that’s been coated with non-stick cooking spray.
- Broil under high heat, 2-3-inches from heat, for 5 minutes. Remove pan from oven and flip sausages. Broil for 4 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 160-degrees F.
Notes
Sausages may also be grilled:
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How do you like to eat mushrooms? Do you ever ‘Blend’ mushrooms into meat?
Kathleen Brandt
Monday 27th of January 2020
how about a veggie version, please.
Serena Ball, MS, RD
Wednesday 5th of February 2020
Check out our new book in October 2020, Kathleen! You will find just what you're looking for!
Jan Patenaude RDN CLT
Friday 24th of January 2020
For me, it’s not breakfast sausage without Sage. I would definitely add sage to this recipe especially for pork or for a breakfast sausage.
Serena Ball, MS, RD
Saturday 25th of January 2020
yes...it was in the original recipe - but my kids are not fans of sage. So it didn't make the final cut. PLEASE add sage to your sausage!!
Chelsey Amer | C it Nutritionally
Wednesday 24th of January 2018
Such a good hack! I just made my mushroom tacos last night and kept them vegan for me (even though I'm not vegan, just wasn't in the mood for anything else) and added ground turkey for the Mr. Such a great hack! These look delicious!
Serena Ball
Sunday 28th of January 2018
Thanks Chelsey. Love how you adapted the tacos to be veg or not-veg!
Serena Ball
Wednesday 24th of January 2018
Thanks for visiting! Let us know if you make these Better Tasting Breakfast Sausages.