Copycat Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage - cooking recipe

Ingredients

Base
1 lb ground pork
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
1 teaspoon finely crushed fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon finely crushed red pepper flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
Sage
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh sage
Hot
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 small finely chopped fresno chili pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Maple
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon maple extract (optional)

Preparation

To make the sausage base, in a large bowl, mix together all of the ingredients until well-combined and as smooth as possible. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours in the fridge, or overnight.
Portion out the sausage into rounds and pat out into thick patties. Set a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage in batches, until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes per side.
To make sage sausage, add in the chopped sage to the sausage base from above and cook as directed.
To make hot sausage, add in the cayenne pepper, chili pepper, and red pepper flakes to the sausage base from above and cook as directed.
To make sage sausage, add in the maple syrup and maple extract (if using) to the sausage base from above and cook as directed.