Sweet Fennel Sausage Recipe 🌭

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I'm excited to share my Sweet Fennel Sausage Recipe with you. It's a simple, no-fuss dish that's big on flavor. If you love the unique taste of fennel and the comforting goodness of sausage, this recipe is for you.

It's perfect for a family dinner or a weekend brunch with friends. It's straightforward, delicious, and a real taste sensation.

This recipe is: Low Carb, Keto, Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Paleo

Close-up of two perfectly cooked sausage patties, garnished with fresh dill, on a light blue plate, highlighting their juicy texture and caramelized exterior.

Table of Contents

8 Reasons to Love This Fennel Sausage Recipe

I have made this sweet fennel sausage recipe countless times for its irresistible flavors and several other reasons:

  1. Fennel is absolutely delicious in sausage.
  2. Nobody has ever tried a recipe like this… amaze your friends or family with the flavor!
  3. So versatile: used on pizza, in an omelet, as a breakfast side dish, in soup, and more.
  4. Completely low-carb.
  5. Meal prep-friendly: It stores and reheats well.
  6. It’s easier to make homemade sausage than people think!
  7. You’ll know exactly what is in the sausage you’re eating — dump that store-bought stuff.
  8. My entire family loves this recipe, and I am confident yours will too.

The Inspiration Behind My Fennel Sausage Recipe

A few days back, I got a lovely message from Wendy, a new blog follower. She checked out my Sage Breakfast Sausage recipe and reached out with a special request.

Wendy fell in love with pizza because of sweet fennel sausage topping. She was struggling to recreate that distinct flavor at home, and that's where I came in—it sounded like a challenge I couldn't resist! So, here we are with my take on sweet fennel sausage, crafted with Wendy's request in mind.

Is Fennel Sausage Low-Carb or Keto-friendly?

Yes, a traditional Italian sausage recipe with fennel typically contains low-carb ingredients like garlic, ground pork, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper, making it low-carb friendly. This sweet fennel sausage recipe is a fantastic choice for anyone following a low-carb or keto lifestyle, as it only contains 3 g net carbs per serving. The main ingredient, ground pork, is naturally low in carbohydrates and high in protein, allowing you to enjoy good food without worrying about the carb content.

The fresh herbs and fennel add a burst of flavor without significant carbs. Better yet, we will use a clever technique to caramelize the fennel, bringing out its natural sweet flavor without adding sugars.

Fennel Sausage Recipe Ingredient List

You can never go wrong with these simple ingredients for homemade fennel sausage:

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 medium fennel bulb
  • 3 cloves roasted garlic
  • 2 tablespoons organic or grass-fed butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Ingredient Substitutions

Here are great alternatives to some of the ingredients listed above. They will also yield delicious fennel seed sausage:

  • Fresh thyme: Use about ½ teaspoons of dried thyme, but it needs to bloom before you add it to the sausage. To do this, add the dried thyme to about 2 tablespoons of hot water. Set aside for 4-5 minutes until saturated. Drain off the water completely and add the thyme to the dish. You could also use fresh rosemary or sage.
  • Butter: Ghee, rendered bacon fat, lard, duck fat, or clarified butter are great swaps.
  • Olive oil: Use avocado, deodorized coconut, or MCT oil. If you’re using any of the butter substitutes above, there's no need for additional oil. Just add an additional tablespoon of the butter alternative.
  • Roasted garlic: Dice 2 cloves of raw garlic and place in a small pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat until the garlic is bubbling and stir for 4-5 minutes. Drain the oil and add it to the sausage mixture. Otherwise, you could use ½ teaspoons of granulated garlic.
  • Fennel seeds: If you don’t have them, omit them. Caraway seeds are not a good substitute in this recipe, as their flavor is too pungent.

Additional Ingredients

Note: The spices are not part of the recipe. Use them only as a flavor enhancement for the sweet fennel sausage.

Cooking Tools

To make this sausage fennel recipe, you need the following cooking tools:

How to Make Fennel Sausage: Complete Cooking Guide

Cooking Method

  • Sautéing

Preparation Steps

  1. Gather the tools and ingredients for the recipe.
  2. Prepare the fennel. Cut off the fronds and stalks. Slice the fennel through the middle from top to bottom. Remove the core. Slice the remaining fennel bulb thinly.

Cooking Instructions

Cooking The Fennel

  1. Using a heavy skillet, add the butter and olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the butter is melted. Add the raw fennel and a pinch of kosher salt.
  2. Cook the fennel for 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally until it browns. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook until completely caramelized.
  3. Remove the fennel from the pan and rough chop.

Toasting the Fennel Seeds

  1. Heat a dry pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the fennel seeds and monitor them closely. When they begin to turn brown, stir to avoid burning.
  3. Once they have turned brown, remove from the heat and set aside.

Making the Sweet Sausage Fennel mixture

  1. In a bowl, add the pork, fennel, thyme, roasted garlic, toasted fennel seeds, balsamic vinegar, salt, and 8-10 grinds of pepper.
  2. Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.
  3. Make a small "tester" sausage meat patty. Cook thoroughly, taste the cooked sausage, and adjust the seasonings.

Cooking the Sweet Fennel Sausage

  1. Form the sausage mixture into patties. They shouldn't be too thick; otherwise, they will take forever to cook through.
  2. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the sausage patties.
  3. Cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the sausage patties with tongs and recover. Cook for another 4-5 minutes or until cooked through.
  4. Serve hot and enjoy!
Onions being caramelized in a black skillet with a wooden spoon.

Step 1: Caramelizing fennel is a slow and low process. Take your time to bring out the natural sweetness.

Raw fennel sausage mixture in a blue bowl, ready for cooking.

Step 2: After the sausage mixture is ready, make a small patty to test the flavors of the mixture before cooking the batch.

Two golden-brown sausage patties garnished with a sprig of fresh dill, served on a light blue plate, with a blurred background containing a spice jar.

Step 3: Once you have adjusted the seasonings, cook off the remaining sausage mixture to a golden brown. Yummy.

💡 My Pro Tip

Fennel is a delicious ingredient that cooks well in a pan or the oven. Above, I've given the instructions for cooking fennel in a pan. To cook roasted fennel in the oven, follow these instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Cut off the fronds and stalks.
  • Slice the fennel through the middle from top to bottom.
  • Remove the core.
  • Slice the remaining fennel bulb thinly with the grain, not against it (it will fall apart this way).
  • Toss the fennel with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil, ½ teaspoons of kosher salt, and 10-12 grinds of fresh black pepper.
  • Add to a lined, rimmed baking sheet. Place in the oven near the top of the oven for about 5-7 minutes (cooking times vary by oven). Check for browning, flip the fennel, and return to the oven.
  • The fennel is ready when it is nicely browned. Complete the recipe as written.

⏲️ Time-Saving Tips

  • Make the fennel ahead of time.
  • Toast the fennel seeds ahead of time.
  • Chop all the ingredients and mix with the ground pork beforehand (this lets the flavors mix well). You could even form the patties and refrigerate until ready to cook.

What to Serve with Fennel Sausage?

Sweet fennel sausage is a perfect dish for breakfast, brunch or dinner. It is well enjoyable alone, but you can pair it with the following sides:

  • Grilled Asparagus: The tender-crisp asparagus spears make a simple yet elegant side dish that pairs well with fennel sausage.
  • Baked Zucchini Fries: The crispy, aromatic zucchini fries add a depth of flavor to the sweet fennel sausage. Serve them together for a quick game night snack.
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Roasting Brussels sprouts enhances their natural sweetness and adds a caramelized flavor that complements the savory taste of fennel sausage.
  • Sautéed Spinach With Bacon and Shallots: This is a perfectly nutritious and flavorful side dish that balances the richness of this amazing sausage recipe.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage

Reheating

  • The sausage reheats well in a pan over medium heat, with a tablespoon of water added. Cover and cook until heated through. Microwave on medium-high for 2-3 minutes or until heated through.

Freezing

  • Add the leftover fennel sausage to a freezer-safe bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat however you like.

Recipe Conclusion

This is the best Sweet Fennel Sausage Recipe you will ever make. It is simple and straightforward; yet yields irresistibly delicious and aromatic sausage that pairs well with different sides for a complete meal. What I love the most about it is that it stores and reheats well, thus perfect for meal planning. You can also re-purpose its leftovers in recipes like pizza, soup, or omelet.

I hope you enjoy the pork and fennel sausage recipe like we do. Try it and tell me how it turns out. Also, please leave your thoughts or questions in the comments below. You can also find me on Facebook or Instagram.

FAQs

Fennel sausage is a type of sausage that contains fennel seeds as a primary ingredient. It has a robust flavor and versatile applications.

Fennel is a key ingredient in sausage due to its unique flavor profile that perfectly complements the rich taste of the meat. The sweet, slightly licorice-like taste of fennel adds depth and complexity, enhancing the overall flavor of the sausage.

Toasting fennel seeds takes about 3-5 minutes over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until they turn brown and emit a fragrant aroma. Watch closely to avoid burning.

Delicious sausage patties garnished with fresh dill, placed on a blue plate, capturing the savory and appetizing appearance of the dish.

Sweet Fennel Sausage Recipe 🌭

Sweet fennel sausage is delicious. It can be used for breakfast, soups, appetizers and more. The sweet-salty combination works well with the nuttiness from the toasted fennel seeds. Yum.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 269kcal
Author: Scott G

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground pork
  • 1 medium fennel bulb
  • 3 cloves roasted garlic
  • 2 tablespoons organic or grass-fed butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Gather the tools and ingredients for the recipe.
  • Prepare the fennel. Cut off the fronds and stalks. Slice the fennel through the middle from top to bottom. Remove the core. Slice the remaining fennel bulb thinly.

Cooking Instructions

    Cooking The Fennel

    • Using a heavy skillet, add the butter and olive oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the butter is melted. Add the raw fennel and a pinch of kosher salt.
    • Cook the fennel for 10 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally until it browns. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook until completely caramelized.
    • Remove the fennel from the pan and rough chop.

    Toasting the Fennel Seeds

    • Heat a dry pan over medium-high heat.
    • Add the fennel seeds and monitor them closely. When they begin to turn brown, stir to avoid burning.
    • Once they have turned brown, remove from the heat and set aside.

    Making the Sweet Sausage Fennel mixture

    • In a bowl, add the pork, fennel, thyme, roasted garlic, toasted fennel seeds, balsamic vinegar, salt, and 8-10 grinds of pepper.
    • Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.
    • Make a small "tester" sausage meat patty. Cook thoroughly, taste the cooked sausage, and adjust the seasonings.

    Cooking the Sweet Fennel Sausage

    • Form the sausage mixture into patties. They shouldn't be too thick; otherwise, they will take forever to cook through.
    • In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the sausage patties.
    • Cover the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the sausage patties with tongs and recover. Cook for another 4-5 minutes or until cooked through.
    • Serve hot and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Sweet Fennel Sausage Recipe 🌭
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
    Calories 269 Calories from Fat 198
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 22g34%
    Saturated Fat 9g45%
    Trans Fat 0.2g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 10g
    Cholesterol 64mg21%
    Sodium 481mg20%
    Potassium 394mg11%
    Carbohydrates 4g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 13g26%
    Vitamin A 191IU4%
    Vitamin C 6mg7%
    Calcium 39mg4%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    “This website provides approximate nutrition data and information for convenience and as a courtesy only.”

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    16 Responses

    1. Pingback: Sweet Fennel Sausage Recipe - Yum Goggle
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    5. In the instructions, there is a mention of adding thyme along with all the other ingredients. Thyme is not listed in the ingredient list. I'm sure it would be a good addition - but how much? Dry or fresh?

      1. Hi Susan:
        Thanks for writing! I was just looking at the recipe and see that there is 1 TSP of fresh thyme to be added when you combine all the other seasonings and ingredients with the ground pork. Hopefully this helps!
        Happy cooking-
        Scott

        1. 5 stars
          Oh Heavens! Why didn't I see that? This is absolutely delicious. My husband, who doesn't like sausage, really likes this recipe. We were trying to replicate the sausage in a dish at a local restaurant. The ingredients in the dish say "sweet fennel sausage". I can't say for sure if it tastes the same, but who cares! We like this recipe.

    6. 5 stars
      We made these this morning- the toasted fennel seeds really make this special. Would be nice if you would include approximate cook times for the fennel - took me about 10 minutes to get it nicely browned.

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    10. Maybe a silly question but I've never cooked with fresh fennel before. Are there seeds inside the bulb or do you use jarred spice fennel seeds in addition to the fresh bulb?

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    5 from 2 votes

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    Scott Groth image for I'd Rather Be A Chef

    I'm Scott, just a regular guy who has experienced amazing benefits from embracing a low carb (occasionally keto) lifestyle. Join me as I share low carb recipes that are family friendly, delicious and fun to eat.

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