About this Recipe

By: Rachel

Italian sausage is a fantastic ingredient, versatile and packed with flavor. Increasingly, home cooks want to learn how to make Italian sausage at home. Whether you are avoiding certain proteins or simply want to create your own flavor profiles, this recipe is a great place to start.

ingredients for sweet and hot Italian sausage

Some Like It Hot, Some Like It Sweet

Italian sausage is traditionally made from pork, and is usually available as “hot” or “sweet.” Hot Italian sausage is spiced with red pepper flakes, while the sweet variety is flavored with ingredients like sweet basil or a hint of sugar.

But why choose one when you can have both? I like to make mine with plenty of red pepper flakes for heat, as well as brown sugar for sweetness. To me, this combination of flavors is what makes sweet and hot Italian sausage so irresistible. When you blend spicy and sweet elements, the end result is bold, balanced, and incredibly versatile.

Choosing the Right Protein for Homemade Italian Sausage

When you make your own sausage at home, you get to choose not just the flavor profile, but the protein you prefer.

We do not eat pork at home, and it can be a challenge to find high-quality, pork-free Italian sausage. I often get excited when I see chicken, turkey, or beef-based options, but when I read the ingredients, I notice that they include a porcine casing. Infuriatingly, sometimes the ingredient list says “lamb or pork casing” (not very helpful to those avoiding pork!)

I use ground turkey thighs or ground beef. Both have great flavor and enough fat to ensure that the sausage doesn’t dry out when it cooks.

Finding Your Favorite Flavor Profile

It is fun to experiment with combinations of herbs, spices, heat, and sweetness to find your perfect Italian sausage. As you experiment, be sure to try fennel pollen, which adds a rich and unique flavor to the sausage.

This homemade Italian sausage is perfect for making sauces like this Red Sauce with Secret Vegetables. This is my favorite sauce to use in my Homemade Lasagna.

Sweet and Hot Italian Sausage

Italian sausage is a fantastic ingredient that packs a huge punch of flavor. It is easy to make your own, and enables you to use any protein you choose.

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Ready In 30

Meal Type Stocks & Sauces

Good For Italian

Yield pounds

Equipment

Stand Mixer optional
Kitchen scale or measuring cups and spoons
Measuring cups and spoons or kitchen scale

Ingredients

3 pounds (1 ½ kilos) ground meat (pork is traditional; I use turkey thighs or beef)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon freshly-ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried sweet basil
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sweet or hot paprika (depending on whether you want your sausage to lean sweeter or hotter)
1 teaspoon ground fennel seed
½ teaspoon fennel pollen

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Add all ingredients to a stand mixer, and mix on low speed for about 2 minutes using the paddle attachment, or until well-combined. Alternatively, add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix with a rubber spatula.

Step 2

If using immediately, heat a small amount of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown, drain, and add to tomato sauce.

Step 3

If you prefer to freeze and save, divide the meat evenly into quart-sized freezer bags, and press flat. Stack in your freezer, and use within 3-4 months.