Chef John's Breakfast Sausage Patties

Prep Time:30 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Servings: 4 minutes

This is a simple breakfast sausage in patty form. So easy! The key is to get freshly and coarsely ground pork shoulder from a real live butcher.

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound coarsely ground pork shoulder
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds, or more to taste - lightly crushed
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated orange zest
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried italian herb seasoning
  • ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
Directions:
  1. Place pork, fennel seeds, orange zest, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and nutmeg into a bowl and stir very lightly with a fork to combine. Do not overmix. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Check seasonings before using: Shape about 2 teaspoons sausage into a small patty and fry until brown in a skillet over medium heat. Let cool 1 to 2 minutes and taste for seasoning.
  3. Cover a cutting board with plastic wrap. Divide sausage into 6 equal pieces, roll into a balls, and wrap each ball with plastic wrap. Press flat into patties and discard plastic.
  4. Place a heavy skillet, such as a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat. Cook patties in hot skillet until meat is no longer pink in the center and the sausage is browned, about 3 minutes per side. Serve immediately.