10+ Turkey Sausage Recipes to Spice Up Your Meals

Turkey sausage recipes are a great way to swap out pork for something a bit leaner. You can whip up flavorful sausages at home with just a handful of ingredients.

With these recipes, you get to play with the spices and flavors—so your meals end up both healthier and tastier.

Turkey sausage works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s quick to cook and you can season it however you want.

This guide has easy recipes you can try any time.

1) Classic Turkey Breakfast Sausage with Sage and Thyme

For a classic breakfast sausage, use lean ground turkey and herbs like sage and thyme. These give you that cozy, savory flavor that just feels right with eggs or toast.

You only need a few spices to pull this together. Mix in sage and thyme—fresh or dried works.

Brown the sausage patties in a pan until they’re cooked through. Super simple.

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground turkey (93% lean)
• 1 tsp rubbed or ground sage
• 1/2 tsp dried or ground thyme
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients well in a bowl.
2. Shape into small patties.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
4. Cook patties 4-5 minutes per side, until fully cooked (165°F/74°C).
5. Serve warm.

2) Homemade Italian Turkey Sausage with Bell Peppers

Homemade Italian turkey sausage with bell peppers is a colorful, healthy meal. Slice up the sausage links and brown them in olive oil.

Toss in chopped onions and a mix of bell peppers—red, yellow, green, whatever you have. Sauté until the veggies soften and the onions look translucent.

It’s a quick dinner or lunch. I like it with some crusty bread, but you do you.

Ingredients

• 4 sweet Italian turkey sausage links
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 1 red, 1 green, and 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium.
2. Brown sausage slices for 5-7 minutes.
3. Set sausage aside.
4. Add rest of olive oil, onions, and bell peppers to the pan.
5. Cook 5-6 minutes until peppers are soft.
6. Return sausage to the pan for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
7. Serve warm.

Check out a similar turkey sausage and peppers recipe.

3) Maple-Glazed Turkey Sausage Patties

Maple-glazed turkey sausage patties are a sweet and savory treat. The maple syrup gives just enough sweetness without overdoing it.

Mix ground turkey with sage, garlic, and a splash of maple syrup. Make small patties and cook them in a skillet.

Brush a little more maple syrup on top for a sticky glaze. These are awesome with eggs or toast.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tbsp fresh sage, minced
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine turkey, sage, garlic powder, black pepper, and 1 tbsp maple syrup in a bowl.
2. Shape into 6 patties.
3. Cook patties in a skillet over medium heat, 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
4. Brush with the rest of the maple syrup and cook 1 minute more.
5. Serve warm.

4) Spicy Turkey Sausage with Red Pepper Flakes

If you like a little heat, try spicy turkey sausage with red pepper flakes. Sauté onions and bell peppers in olive oil until soft.

Add garlic and red pepper flakes for some fire. Then toss in turkey sausage pieces and brown them up.

The spice level is easy to adjust. Add more or less red pepper flakes, depending on your mood.

Serve over rice or pasta for a filling meal.

Ingredients

• 2 turkey sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
2. Sauté onion and bell pepper until onions soften.
3. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cook for a minute.
4. Add turkey sausage pieces and brown, about 8-10 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot over rice or pasta.

5) Paleo Turkey Sausage with Sweet Potato

For a paleo-friendly sausage, try mixing sweet potato into turkey sausage. The sweet potato brings moisture and a bit of natural sweetness.

Grate the sweet potato and mix with ground turkey, sage, and thyme. Shape into patties and cook in a skillet.

These cook fast and pair well with eggs or veggies. You can make a bunch ahead for easy breakfasts.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds ground turkey (85% lean)
• 2-3 medium sweet potatoes, grated
• 1 tbsp dried sage
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp garlic salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat skillet over medium heat.
2. Mix turkey, sweet potato, sage, thyme, and garlic salt in a bowl.
3. Shape into small patties.
4. Cook 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
5. Serve warm.

Get more tips at these sweet potato turkey sausage recipes.

6) Garlic and Brown Sugar Turkey Sausage

Garlic and brown sugar make a surprisingly good combo for turkey sausage. The garlic gives it punch, while the brown sugar adds a mellow sweetness.

Mix ground turkey with garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Shape into patties or links.

Cook in a skillet until browned and done. These are juicy and super flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix everything in a bowl.
2. Shape into small patties.
3. Heat a skillet over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
4. Cook patties 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
5. Serve warm.

7) Turkey Sausage and Vegetable Skillet

Turkey sausage and veggie skillet is a go-to for busy nights. Brown the sausage, then toss in bell peppers, zucchini, and corn.

Everything cooks together in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze. The sausage juices mix with the veggies for extra flavor.

Season with salt, pepper, and maybe some fresh cilantro. If you’re into cheese, sprinkle some on top.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey sausage
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium.
2. Cook turkey sausage until browned, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Add bell pepper, zucchini, and corn.
4. Cook until veggies are tender, 5-7 minutes.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and cilantro if you want. Serve warm.

For more ideas, check out this Ground Turkey Sausage and Veggie Skillet Recipe.

8) Turkey Sausage Tortellini Soup

Turkey sausage tortellini soup is hearty and quick. Use cooked turkey sausage, broth, and cheese tortellini as the base.

Toss in spinach or kale for color and freshness. This soup comes together in about 30 minutes, which is kind of a lifesaver on busy days.

Stir in a little milk or cream if you want it creamy. Pre-cooked sausage and frozen tortellini make this even easier.

Ingredients

• 1 pound turkey sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 package cheese tortellini (about 9 ounces)
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes (optional)
• 1/2 cup cream or coconut milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown turkey sausage in a large pot.
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
3. Stir in tortellini and cook as directed on the package.
4. Add spinach or kale and cook until wilted.
5. Mix in crushed tomatoes if you want.
6. Pour in cream or coconut milk and heat through.
7. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Get more info at Creamy Tortellini Soup with Turkey and Spinach.

9) Maple and Sage Turkey Sausage Bites

These maple and sage turkey sausage bites hit the spot for a quick breakfast or snack. The maple syrup’s sweetness just works with that earthy sage vibe.

You get bites that are tasty but not overwhelming. Cook them in a skillet if you’re in a hurry, or toss them in the oven if you want to keep things easy.

The turkey stays juicy—lean but not dry, which is honestly a relief. Make a batch ahead of time and reheat them when you need a protein fix.

Garlic and black pepper give the mix a little extra something. I have to admit, these might sneak into your breakfast rotation pretty fast.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a bowl, mix all ingredients until well combined.

3. Shape mixture into small bite-sized balls.

4. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and browned.

6. Let cool slightly before serving.

10) Healthy Turkey Sausage with Olive Oil and Garlic Powder

Making this turkey sausage is honestly a breeze. Olive oil keeps it moist, and garlic powder brings the flavor without any fuss.

Just mix ground turkey with olive oil and garlic powder. Toss in some salt and pepper—taste and adjust if you want.

Shape the sausage into patties or keep it loose, depending on your mood. Cook on medium heat until the inside hits 165°F (74°C).

That’s it. You get a healthy, tasty sausage that’s ready in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss the turkey, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a bowl.

2. Mix it all together with your hands—yeah, it gets messy.

3. Shape the mixture into patties, or just crumble it up if you want loose sausage.

4. Heat a pan over medium heat.

5. Drop the patties or crumbled sausage into the pan.

6. Cook until there’s no pink left inside. That usually takes about 6-8 minutes per side, or just check for 165°F (74°C) if you want to be exact.

7. Serve it up while it’s still warm.