Homemade Sweet Italian Sausage (Mild or Spicy)

Ingredients List

• 3 pounds ground pork

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 ¼ tablespoons dried parsley

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 1 tablespoon dried basil

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper

• 2 teaspoons paprika

• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

• ¾ teaspoon ground fennel seed

• ¼ teaspoon brown sugar

• ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano

• ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions

Prepare all the ingredients ahead of time.

Combine the pork and red wine vinegar in a large bowl. Add parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, salt, black pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, brown sugar, oregano, and thyme.

Knead until the spices are fully incorporated into the meat.

Divide the sausage mixture into three portions. Shape each into a 3-inch wide log, tightly wrap in plastic wrap, and place in a zip-top bag. Chill for a minimum of 12 hours before cooking.

When ready to cook, remove the sausage logs from the zip-top bags and place them on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice through the plastic wrap into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick patties. Discard the plastic wrap once the patties are cut.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the sausage patties in batches, turning them until they are no longer pink in the middle, about 2 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. An instant-read thermometer should read 160°F (70°C) when inserted into the center.

Cooking Tip

Nutrition Information (per serving)