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

Is fennel sausage the same as Italian sausage? ›

Fennel is the spice that gives Italian sausage its Italian flavor. Often the fennel is a mixture of whole or cracked fennel seed and ground fennel. The whole or cracked fennel seed will help to give good visibility to the spice while the ground fennel will contribute a very distinctive fennel flavor.

What is the Italian name for fennel sausage? ›

Finocchiona is an ancient type of cured sausage, dating back to the Middle Ages. Most sources place its origin in Tuscany. Regular fennel seeds you buy in the store are fine, but if you can get wild fennel seeds, they are stronger in flavor.

What's the difference between Italian sausage and Sicilian sausage? ›

While other spices may be added to the Italian sausage, the prominent spices should always be fennel and basil. The original Sicilian sausage uses coarser ground meat and higher levels of fat while the Americanized versions are usually using finely ground meat and lower fat levels.

What is Italian sausage seasoning made of? ›

Herbs: Traditional Italian sausage uses dried parsley, Italian seasoning, and fennel. Italian seasoning has a bunch of other dried herbs as well including dried basil, dried rosemary, and dried thyme. Some recipes also use ground sage, which can be added.

What is a Sicilian sausage called? ›

Salsiccia is certainly the most ancient and best known of sausages.

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.

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 do Italians eat fennel? ›

For example, Italians often eat fennel raw at the end of a meal, saying it helps with digestion and cleansing.

What Italian cured meat has fennel? ›

Fennel salami - Finocchiona salami

Made according to ancient methods, during dry curing the aromatic flavour of fennel fuses with the meat and results in a delicate, fragrant salami. Fennel salami is said to originate in the Middle ages in Tuscany.

What is Calabrese Italian sausage? ›

Southern Italian style sausage spiced with cracked chili's, cayenne pepper, and a hint of fennel. Cook on the BBQ or use as a base for your sauce.

Is Italian sausage just chorizo? ›

Fresh Italian sausage is a pork sausage with lots of fennel seeds for flavor, typically just salt and pepper, along with fennel, maybe garlic, and for spicy, some crushed red pepper. Chorizo is a spicy paprika and garlic pork sausage, and sometimes it's fully cooked, similar to pepperoni.

Why does Italian sausage taste different? ›

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.

What is the white stuff coming out of Italian sausage? ›

The white coating on salami is a strain of mold called Penicillium nalgiovense. The name may sound like a disease, but don't worry; it serves an important purpose in the production of salami.

What is Jimmy Dean sausage made of? ›

From the Package

PORK, WATER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS: CORN SYRUP, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, VINEGAR, SUGAR, PORK BROTH, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE.

What is the distinctive flavor in Italian sausage? ›

Fennel or anise: The main flavor within Italian sausage—and also the actually Italian salsiccia sausage—comes from the fennel or anise seeds that are mixed in with the pork. These are very distinctive flavors that separate Italian sausage from other comparable sausage types.

Does all Italian sausage have fennel? ›

In North America, Italian sausage (Italian: salsiccia, Italian: [salˈsittʃa]) 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 a godfather sausage? ›

The Godfather

A criminally good blend of salt, pepper, fennel, anise and Italian pork sausage.

Do they eat Italian sausage in Italy? ›

A Taste of Italy: Exploring the History and Flavors of Italian Sausage Recipes. Italian cuisine is renowned for its robust flavors, fresh ingredients, and diverse regional dishes. One staple that has captured the hearts and palates of people worldwide is Italian sausage.

What is another name for Italian sausage? ›

Salsiccia

What to substitute for Italian sausage? ›

Here are the top substitutes for Italian sausage:
  • Pork Sausage.
  • Chicken Sausage.
  • Turkey Sausage.
  • Bratwurst.
  • Soppressata.
  • Kielbasa.
  • Andouille Sausage.
  • Spanish Chorizo.
Nov 5, 2023

Can you buy Italian sausage without fennel? ›

Sweet Italian Sausage - NO Fennel (Luganica Style) | Esposito's Finest Quality Sausage. Please enable JavaScript in your browser for better use of the website! ** Free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

Does Italian chicken sausage have fennel? ›

Nutrition Facts

Ingredients: Chicken, Less than 2% of the following: Dextrose, Salt, Vinegar, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Spices (including fennel & black pepper), Paprika, Natural Flavors.

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