1-Prepare and chill meat: Creating homemade breakfast sausage is straightforward and rewarding, starting with preparing your ingredients. If you’re using pork shoulder, trim the meat, cut it into 1-inch chunks, and chill for 15-20 minutes to make grinding easier. This step ensures the meat grinds well and stays cold for better texture.

2-Grind and mix: Once your meat is ready, grind the cold pork chunks using a medium die into a bowl, or simply place pre-ground pork in the bowl if that’s what you’re using. Next, add all the seasonings: 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage, 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon ground paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 finely grated garlic cloves, 1 1/2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors.

3-Test and form patties: After mixing, it’s a good idea to fry a small sample patty to taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Then, form the mixture into small patties about 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter for even cooking.

4-Cook: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat, and fry the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side until they’re browned and cooked through.

5-Serve: Serve them immediately for the best taste and texture. The entire process, from prep to plate, takes about 30 minutes for preparation and 8 minutes for cooking, making it perfect for a quick breakfast.