Skip to main content

Join The Table to earn rewards.

Already a member?

Anise

Breakfast Sausage with Juniper Berries

by:
March 13, 2010
4 4 out of 5 stars /
2 Ratings4 total ratings /
Photo by James Ransom
  • Makes eight 2-ounce patties
Author Notes

And today's stove-top meal is... Breakfast Sausage! It's what's for dinner (well, tonight, anyways). I recently bought a jar of juniper berries in hopes of using them in something fabulous (homemade gin, anyone?), but had a pound of Berkshire pork in the freezer and a hankerin' for some sausage, so this is the result. —mrslarkin

Test Kitchen Notes

WHO: We all know mrslarkin is a scone whisperer, but this recipe proves that not all of her best creations happen in the oven.
WHAT: A breakfast treat made for Sunday mornings (and egg sandwiches).
HOW: Grind together garlic, thyme leaves, coriander and anise seeds, and juniper berries, then add to salted ground pork. Form into patties, pan-fry, and pat yourself on the back for making a hot breakfast (or dinner!).
WHY WE LOVE IT: This recipe made us rethink our daily bowls of cereal and reminded us of the beauty of a hot breakfast, plus the juniper berries added a brightness we rarely see in sausage. Make a batch for Sunday brunch, then freeze the leftovers to pop on the pan for a weekday treat. —The Editors

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 to 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped and stems discarded
  • 20 coriander seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon anise seeds
  • 12 juniper berries
  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
Directions
  1. In a spice grinder or mortar and pestle, grind the garlic, thyme leaves, coriander seeds, anise seeds and juniper berries.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the pork with salt, pepper, and spices.
  3. Chill for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  4. Form pork into eight 2-ounce patties. In a non-stick pan, sauté the sausage patties over medium-low heat until nicely browned, about 5 minutes per side.
  5. Serve with some smashed taters, hash browns, or grits. Or, make a kick-ass biscuit sandwich with some scrambled eggs and cheese.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • arielleclementine
    arielleclementine
  • AntoniaJames
    AntoniaJames
  • mrslarkin
    mrslarkin
  • debra solomon
    debra solomon

6 Reviews

debra S. July 2, 2016
Where does one buy juniper berries ?
 
mrslarkin July 3, 2016
It's in most grocery store spice section, usually found in the baking aisle.
 
arielleclementine March 14, 2010
oh yum! how clever! i would kill for a kick-ass biscuit sangwidge right about now!
 
mrslarkin March 14, 2010
Thank you, arielleclementine!
 
AntoniaJames March 14, 2010
Yummmmm. I adore juniper berries, and everything else in this recipe. Definitely going to try it! Wow. ;o)
 
mrslarkin March 14, 2010
Thanks, AJ! I'm so glad you like it!
 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience.

When you visit our website, we collect and use personal information about you using cookies. You may opt out of selling, sharing, or disclosure of personal data for targeted advertising (called "Do Not Sell or Share" in California) by enabling the Global Privacy Control on a compatible browser. See our Privacy Policy for further information.