This healthy and delicious turkey sausage recipe is made with sweet potato, onions and lovely seasonings. Whether you need a quick and easy breakfast option or you want some make-ahead lunchbox foods, this homemade breakfast sausage is perfect. It’s Paleo, gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, Whole30 and AIP-friendly.
Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 📹 Watch The Video | 👩🍳 Recipe Tips | 🥗 Serving Suggestions | 📝 Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Turkey & Breakfast Sausage Recipes
This turkey sausage recipe isn’t your typical hot dog or chipolata. In the U.S. and Canada, breakfast sausage is often a well-seasoned ground meat patty, unlike the pork link-style sausages common in Australia and the UK.
Originally a way for farmers to use up meat trimmings, breakfast sausage has evolved to include various meats, herbs, spices, and even sweeteners like maple syrup.
I love making these patties for meal prep—they’re a balanced mix of protein, fats, and healthy carbs, perfect for a quick breakfast. Try my easy turkey sausage recipe, or swap in chicken, pork, or your preferred meat.
👩🍳 You might also like these make-ahead, high-protein breakfast options: easy chicken sausage patties (with pear and sage), high-protein cottage cheese egg bites, grain-free sausage muffins with zucchini, broccoli fritters (cheesy and delicious), zucchini slice (with extra veg and cottage cheese), or high-protein cottage cheese pancakes.
Nutrition Notes
Most breakfast sausage recipes rely on just meat, but I wanted a more balanced, nutritious option. Adding sweet potato and onions boosts vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. If you’re watching carbs, swap some sweet potato for grated zucchini.
Homemade sausage is healthier since you control the ingredients and skip additives. These patties are high in protein, moderate in fat, and packed with nutrients. Check the full nutritional breakdown below the recipe.
Enjoy 2-3 patties for breakfast (I love them with a green juice or smoothie), lunch, or as a snack!
This is an egg-free recipe and I find that the mixture holds well together anyway. There are no added nut meals or nut flours, so these are fantastic for kids lunch boxes.
What You’ll Need
Here is a summary of ingredients you will need to make these breakfast turkey sausage patties. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
- Ground turkey: Provides lean protein and a mild flavor that pairs well with various seasonings. For a different flavor profile, consider using ground chicken or pork instead of turkey.
- Sweet potatoes: Add natural sweetness and a tender texture (great for binding), along with fiber and vitamins. If sweet potatoes aren’t available, grated zucchini can be a good substitute, though it will alter the flavor and texture slightly.
- Onions: Introduce a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Sage and thyme: Classic herbs that impart earthy and slightly peppery notes.
- Garlic powder and onion powder: Enhance the savory profile without overpowering the dish.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating all the flavors.
- Cassava flour: This is a grain-free, nut-free, gluten-free starch used for binding. Regular or gluten-free flour can be used instead.
How To Make Turkey Sausage Patties
Here are some brief steps and pics to show you how to make turkey sausage patties.
- Prepare Sweet Potatoes: Peel, dice, and steam or boil until tender. Mash them and let cool.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, mix ground turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, finely diced onions, and all seasonings until well incorporated.
- Form Patties: With wet hands to prevent sticking, shape the mixture into small patties, about the size of your palm.
- Cook in the oven Preheat to 190°C (375°F). Place patties on a lined baking tray and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
- Cook in a frying pan: Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
Watch The Video
Recipe Tips
- Incorporate finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrients and color.
- For a hint of sweetness, mix in small apple chunks or a touch of maple syrup.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are well-mashed to help bind the patties.
- Using wet hands makes shaping the patties easier and prevents sticking.
- Storage Tips: Store cooked patties in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing: Place cooled patties on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep in Advance: Prepare and shape the patties, then refrigerate them (uncooked) for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Batch Cooking: Cook a large batch and freeze as mentioned above for quick meals later on.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these patties for breakfast alongside some fresh fruit, juice or a smoothie. For lunch or dinner, pair with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or serve in a whole-grain bun with your favorite toppings and some delicious bang bang sauce. They also go well with a dollop of Greek yogurt or some tzatziki sauce or a simple herb sauce for added moisture and flavor.
💬 If you’ve tried this turkey sausage recipe or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Cooked & Loved
Ingredients
- 1 medium to large sweet potato peeled and diced into cubes
- 1 lb ground turkey 450-500 grams, lean
- 1 clove grated garlic
- 1 medium white onion finely diced
- 1 teaspoon of mixed dried herbs e.g. Italian blend
- ⅔ teaspoon of sea salt
- ½ teaspoon of white pepper black is also fine, omit for AIP
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder optional but it’s so good for you
- A pinch of nutmeg optional
- 2 tablespoons tapioca flour or cassava flour can add a little more, feel free to use regular or gluten-free flour here as well
Instructions
- Precook the sweet potato. Boil a kettle with hot water. Add cubed sweet potato to a pot with boiling hot water and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cook over medium heat for 10-12 minutes until soft when inserting a knife. Once cooked, strain and set aside to cool. This step can be made ahead of time.
- Preheat the oven to 200 C / 400 F.
- Make the sausage patties. Mash enough sweet potato to tightly pack 1 cup or so (you don't need to be super precise here). Add that and all other ingredients (but the flour) to a bowl, and mix together using your hands. Combine until the mixture comes together well. Add the tapioca flour or cassava flour and mix through; this will thicken the batter slightly more.
- Line a flat roasting tray with a sheet of baking paper and brush it lightly with some olive oil or coconut oil. Wet your hands and roll the mixture into small patties. Place them evenly on the tray. Keep rinsing your hands in between batches to prevent the mixture from getting sticky. You should yield 12 patties.
- Bake the sausage patties. Place the tray in the oven, middle shelf. Set the timer to 25-30 minutes. There is no need to turn the patties over. They will get more browned on the bottom and golden on the top. Remove and cool off before transferring to a container (if refrigerating for later). Otherwise, enjoy as they are or serve as a side with other foods or a smoothie/juice.
Video
Notes
- Ground turkey: Provides lean protein and a mild flavor that pairs well with various seasonings. For a different flavor profile, consider using ground chicken or pork instead of turkey.
- Sweet potatoes: Add natural sweetness and a tender texture (great for binding), along with fiber and vitamins. If sweet potatoes aren’t available, grated zucchini can be a good substitute, though it will alter the flavor and texture slightly.
- Cassava flour or tapioca flour can be replaced with arrowroot. If using coconut flour, add half the amount. Other gluten-free flours like buckwheat or quinoa flours could also be used in the same amount. Regular flour is also fine to use.
- Incorporate finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrients and color.
- For a hint of sweetness, mix in small apple chunks or a touch of maple syrup.
- Ensure sweet potatoes are well-mashed to help bind the patties.
- Using wet hands makes shaping the patties easier and prevents sticking.
- Storage Tips: Store cooked patties in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing: Place cooled patties on a baking sheet to freeze individually. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep in Advance: Prepare and shape the patties, then refrigerate them (uncooked) for up to 24 hours before cooking.
- Batch Cooking: Cook a large batch and freeze as mentioned above for quick meals later on.
- Nutrition info is based on baking. If pan-frying in a little oil, please consider that will add additional calories/fat.
Nutrition
More Turkey & Breakfast Sausage Recipes
- Pear & Rosemary Breakfast Sausage from The Whole Kitchen Sink
Baked Spicy Turkey Meatballs (can be patties!)
Homemade Chicken Sausage With Spinach & Onions from Paleo Running Momma
Homemade Cajun Breakfast Sausage from Cotter Crunch
recipe was exactly what I was searching for. However they were quite soft in the middle – almost the texture of the raw ground turkey. I even cooked it for an extra 10-15 minutes until the outside edges started to tun dark. Is that the texture that they are supposed to be? If so how do you tell when it is done?
Thanks
The sweet potato does keep them very soft on the inside. Internal temperature should be steaming hot, they should definitely be done with that extra time.
I lost your very good article on best dairy free milk.
I would appreciate if you can resend it to me. I love your articles and recipes and forward to people
I’ve emailed you 🙂
My hubby loves sweet potatoes!! This is a must make for him!!!
Yummy! My son would love this!
Awww, that’s great! I knew kids would love it:)
I love the combination of sweet potatoes in this, perfect for meal prep!
Thanks, Anne 🙂
I love meatballs / sausage made with sweet potato! I’ve been making a lot of it lately as my son now has to do AIP. I’ll have to try your version!
This is just perfect for our school run. Love bite-size recipes
I love anything with sweet potato so these are going into my weekly breakfast rotation ASAP!
This looks so good! I am definitely adding it to my grocery list!
Yummy! This recipe is a much HEALTHIER way to eat breakfast sausage. Delicious!
What a healthy and satisfying meal or snack! Big yum, and so grab-able!
These go perfectly with my eggs for breakfast! I the love the flavor that the sweet potato adds to the turkey sausage.
Turkey is not easy to get here in New Zealand so I used ground chicken mince and they came out great! These were perfect for my little boys lunchbox and a great easy way to get some protein in him during the day. I had them for breakfast and really enjoyed them – thanks!
Such an amazing idea to add sweet potato to sausage! Definitely an amazing combo.
Thanks 🙂
So delicious and satisfying! Even better that it can be made ahead of time!
I love the sweet potato and turmeric in here! So tasty!
I love that you use sweet potato. Such a delicious flavor in this sausage!
Loved the combo of the savory spices and sweetness from the yams..so tasty! Thanks!
These sound like a spectacular addition to any breakfast! But truthfully I could eat these for breakfast lunch and dinner!