Italian Fennel Sausage Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Klkruger

It's not too much salt if you're using Diamond Crystal. Not at all. If using Morton kosher use 1.5 teaspoon; use 1 teaspoon table salt. Rather than frying up a bit to test seasoning just stick a rounded teaspoon in a little bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or so, till just cooked through. Taste then adjust seasoning, if necessary, in the remaining mix before forming patties.

Carrie

I used Mortons kosher salt, and 2 tsp was too much. If you use Morton's, I recommend cutting back on the salt. My fault, the recipe specifies Diamond. I used turkey, and added about a tablespoon and a half of bacon fat. Turned out great.

Dave Kaye

I make the patties using a $1 circular cookie mold. Only fill it up about halfway or the patties will be too thick.

Nora Esthimer

Hi, Jim. Did you add fat to the ground turkey? If so, what and how much? Thanks!

Occupy Government

This is easy. Grind your own pork stew meat or butt, and feel free to add garlic and onion powder, paprika and herbs (thyme, oregano, marjoram). Add anise instead of or in addition to the fennel. It's best if you let it suppurate overnight. It freezes, well-wrapped, for weeks.

Katherine

For a guest who eats neither pork nor poultry, I made this with grass-fed beef but otherwise as written. Both she and I were wowed.

Carrie

I used Mortons kosher salt, and 2 tsp was too much. If you use Morton's, I recommend cutting back on the salt. My fault, the recipe specifies Diamond. I used turkey, and added about a tablespoon and a half of bacon fat. Turned out great.

Heidi

Delicious but a bit too salty. Next time I would cut the salt by half.

Dave Kaye

I make the patties using a $1 circular cookie mold. Only fill it up about halfway or the patties will be too thick.

Dave Kaye

Does this have to rest in the fridge as patties? Any reason this can't be just left in a bowl and turned into patties after 30 minutes? Does the heat of the hands affect things?

Klkruger

It's not too much salt if you're using Diamond Crystal. Not at all. If using Morton kosher use 1.5 teaspoon; use 1 teaspoon table salt. Rather than frying up a bit to test seasoning just stick a rounded teaspoon in a little bowl and microwave for 30 seconds or so, till just cooked through. Taste then adjust seasoning, if necessary, in the remaining mix before forming patties.

Gloucester

delicious! next time, I'll adjust the salt for my intended purpose. for more sparing use in pasta/pizza the 2 tsp of Diamond kosher salt is good; I would reduce the salt to about 1 tsp if I want the sausage to anchor a meal.

Eric W

Too much salt..... 1 t rather than 2t

Linda

Delicious and better than the grocery sausage by far. Make sure you have the suggested fat content in the ground pork. I guess mine was too lean, so patties were a bit dry, although still yummy!

Laura West

Make this simple fennel-scented sausage to toss into pasta or onto pizza. Par-cook large crumbles to fold into Thanksgiving stuffing or a pot of soup. Or

jim b

I used ground turkey instead of pork, and it came out great.

Nora Esthimer

Hi, Jim. Did you add fat to the ground turkey? If so, what and how much? Thanks!

Joan

Wondering what to serve this with?

Occupy Government

This is easy. Grind your own pork stew meat or butt, and feel free to add garlic and onion powder, paprika and herbs (thyme, oregano, marjoram). Add anise instead of or in addition to the fennel. It's best if you let it suppurate overnight. It freezes, well-wrapped, for weeks.

Frank

I'm sure you didn't mean suppurate.

Cedarglen

See my notes for the breakfast sausage as most apply here as well. This fennel sausage is wonderful and has so many uses! Cannot mark either one as 'cooked' as my sausage is close, but not close enough. Fun project!!

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Italian Fennel Sausage Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is fennel sausage made of? ›

Description. Ground pork simply flavored with red pepper flakes, fennel seed and garlic! Perfect for adding to any recipe (especially Italian recipes) that call for sausage!

What brand of Italian sausage has fennel? ›

Rinaldi Fennel Sausage, commonly referred to as sweet Italian, is your traditional Italian sausage. The notes of anise derive from the use of ground fennel seed mixed with just the right amount of salt and pepper to achieve the traditional flavors of southern Italy.

How to make sausage like a pro? ›

10 Tips & Tricks for Better Homemade Sausage
  1. Keep it Chill[ed] Freeze grinder parts the night before sausage making. ...
  2. Season Before the Grind. ...
  3. Mix it Good [Enough] ...
  4. Taste Before You Case. ...
  5. Run Water Through Casings. ...
  6. Prevent Sticking with Water. ...
  7. Tap Casings to Prevent Air Pockets. ...
  8. Clean the Stuffer with Ice.

What is traditional Italian sausage made from? ›

Italian sausage is ground pork often flavored with garlic and fennel seed. It comes in two different styles, sweet or hot. Hot Italian sausage usually is flavored with spicy red pepper, while the sweet version has no pepper in it.

Does real Italian sausage have fennel? ›

Every processed meat product has a traditional product characteristic. Traditionally, Italian sausage contains fennel and black pepper. Typically the black pepper used in Italian sausage is a coarser particle size than you find in fresh pork sausage. Fennel is the spice that gives Italian sausage its Italian flavor.

Is fennel sausage the same as Italian sausage? ›

The main difference in Italian sausage when compared to other sausages is the seasoning. The particular ingredient that usually sets Italian sausage apart is fennel. This is a licorice scented herb that gives Italian sausage its unique taste that is different than other types of sausage.

Why do they put fennel in sausage? ›

The red pepper flakes are what give the spicy varieties of Italian sausage their signature kick, while fennel is the hallmark flavor that makes it distinct from other kinds of sausage.

Does Bob Evans Italian sausage have fennel in it? ›

Our high-quality Italian Sausage is made with premium cuts of pork. With Fennel seed and rich spices, it will add the flavor of the old country to all of your favorite dishes.

Why did Costco stop selling Italian sausage? ›

The discontinuation coincided with when Costco simplified its entire food court menu which included the Italian sausage sandwich. This decision was made because during the pandemic, Costco had to adapt to changes in consumer behavior, product availability, and safety protocols.

What is the secret of a good sausage? ›

Fat. The meat for a sausage should contain about 25 - 30% fat in it. This will make the sausage tender and juicy, without fat it will feel dry.

Why do you put ice water in sausage? ›

As sausage ingredients are mixed together, a great amount of heat is generated, it is important to add ice as an ingredient rather that water to quickly and effectively remove that heat to prevent the product from cooking during the mixing process.

What is the white stuff in Italian sausage? ›

the white powder is penicellum mold that helps the curing of the sausage.

What is in Jimmy Dean Italian sausage? ›

INGREDIENTS. Pork, Water, Contains 2% Or Less: Corn Syrup, Salt, Natural Flavor, Vinegar, Sugar, Sea Salt, Paprika, Pork Broth.

What do Italians call Italian sausage? ›

In North America, Italian sausage (salsiccia [salˈsittʃa] in Italian) most often refers to a style of pork sausage. The sausage is often noted for being seasoned with fennel or anise as the primary seasoning.

What is fennel and what does it taste like? ›

Fennel is used as an ingredient in recipes and on its own as a side dish to complement a rich entrée. The vegetable has a mild licorice flavor and can be thinly sliced and eaten raw or cooked. There are two varieties of fennel. The vegetable we eat and from which fennel seeds are harvested is called Florence fennel.

What does fennel sausage taste like? ›

The natural sweetness and slight licorice-like flavor of fennel contrast and complement the savory, often spicy notes of sausage. Whether used as whole seeds, ground, or sautéed bulb, fennel adds a distinct element to sausage dishes.

What is fennel in meat? ›

Last Updated on May 5, 2022. Fennel is a perennial plant, boasting a mild and aromatic flavor, with a history as rich and abundant as its many uses in the kitchen. Most often, it is used to add flavor to meats and is often used to spice up Italian-style sausages.

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