Apple Turkey Breakfast Sausage is a sweet and savory beginning to your day.

There’s not much better than the smell of sausage sizzling on the stovetop. Because so many families, ours included, are huge fans of restaurant-style sausage, we wanted to create a delicious, healthier version than the highly processed, prepackaged ones you often find at the grocery store.

These breakfast patties are made with lean ground turkey, a touch of maple syrup, cinnamon, thyme and juicy, bite-size pieces of apple—all real, FfL-friendly ingredients! They’re easy to prep ahead, full of flavor and lower in fat than the traditional pork version. Pair them with eggs for the ultimate low-carb breakfast or dinner!

Prep ahead.

One of the biggest challenges that comes with a real food lifestyle is switching from pre-made convenience food to preparing (most of) your meals at home. If you frequent FfL, you probably already know that we’re HUGE fans of prep-ahead meals (especially breakfast) because it really simplifies the lifestyle. By spending some time in the kitchen washing, cutting and chopping ingredients when your schedule allows it (for us that’s typically over the weekend), your family is able to enjoy nourishing meals throughout the week, without all the fuss.

Cooked: To keep our mornings throughout the week hassle-free, we often cook and store these breakfast sausages in the fridge as a ready-to-go breakfast meal so they’re on the table in less than 10 minutes.

Uncooked: You can pat out your sausage patties on meal prep day, place parchment paper between each patty and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days before cooking.

Why add apples?

Well, for one, they add SO MUCH FLAVOR. They also keep your sausage patties moist. Oh, and did we mention apples add fiber, vitamins and an array of antioxidants to these tasty breakfast patties?

Freezer-friendly

If you’re looking to fill your freezer with some pre-made breakfast options, these Apple Turkey Breakfast Sausages are the perfect recipe. One of our favorite ways to re-use them is by defrosting them in the fridge overnight and sending them in packed lunches as is, with a yogurt and leftover Peanut Butter and Berry Stuffed French Toast.

If freezing cooked: Allow your patties to cool completely, place a piece of parchment paper between each patty and store them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. To warm, reheat in the oven or microwave.

If freezing uncooked: Pat out your sausage patties, place parchment paper between each patty and store them in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight or in the microwave. Once defrosted, cook them on the stovetop following the instructions below.

Favorites to serve your turkey sausage with:

• Fluffy Whole Wheat Pancakes
• Classic French Toast (+ 2 Ways to Top It)
• Veggie Quiche with Sweet Potato Crust
• Easy Egg Casserole (Prep Ahead + Low-Carb) + Garlic and Herb Roasted Red Potatoes

A few creative ways to reuse your leftovers:

• In a breakfast sandwich
• In a cheesy (gouda) quesadilla
• In a bun with a slice of melted cheddar cheese
• Topped with BBQ baked beans and cole slaw