Homemade Italian Sausage Seasoning

Recipe Ingredients

This is one of those spice mixes you want to keep on hand! With only a few dried herbs, you can control the ingredients and avoid the additives in the packaged variety.

• Homemade Italian Seasoning blend- a fragrant mix of dried Italian herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, which add depth and authenticity.
• Fennel Seeds – Classic in Italian sausage, these tiny seeds provide a slightly sweet, licorice-like flavor.
• Smoked Paprika – Adds a rich, smoky depth with mild warmth, enhancing the overall seasoning.
• Garlic Powder – Infuses a robust, savory taste essential for Italian-style sausage.
• Onion Powder – Complements the garlic with a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor.
• Salt – Enhances and balances all the flavors in the blend.
• Black Pepper – Adds a mild heat and earthy spice.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Gives the sausage a subtle kick of heat (adjust to taste).
• Ground Coriander – Adds a hint of citrusy brightness and warm spice.
• Ground Nutmeg (optional) – A touch of warmth and nuttiness for extra depth.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

Want to customize your Italian sausage spices? Here are some simple swaps and variations to match your taste preferences:

• No fennel? Try anise seeds for a similar sweet licorice flavor.
• Want a sweeter sausage? Add a pinch of brown sugar or maple syrup to your meat mixture. Try my Italian sausage lentil soup and creamy sausage and potato soup.
• Prefer a spicier sausage? Increase the red pepper flakes or add cayenne pepper.
• Love extra garlic? Mix fresh minced garlic with ground meat for even more depth.
• Low-sodium version? Reduce or omit salt and adjust to taste when cooking.

This flexible homemade blend makes it perfect for adapting to your favorite Italian sausage recipes!

How To Make Italian Sausage Seasoning At Home

Creating homemade Italian sausage seasoning is quick, easy, and ensures you get the freshest, most flavorful seasoning blends.

Step #1: Add all the Italian sausage spices together in a small bowl or mason jar. Whisk together to blend or shake it with the kid on if using a jar.

Step #2: Optional: Use a food processor to grind into a fine powder. I prefer to leave it whole.

Step #3: This mix is perfect for seasoning ground meat to make homemade sausage or for adding bold Italian flavors to various dishes.

Step #4: Store and save in your favorite meat recipes.

What Meat Can You Use This Seasoning With?

This versatile seasoning blend works with more than just pork! While traditional Italian sausage is made with ground pork, you can also mix this spice blend into:

• Ground chicken – A leaner option that still soaks up the bold Italian flavors.
• Ground turkey – Perfect for lighter, healthier sausage patties or crumbles. Try my Italian turkey meatballs.
• Ground beef – Adds an Italian sausage twist to: my homemade burger recipe, polpette (Italian meatballs), or pasta sauces.
• Ground lamb – A unique, rich flavor that pairs beautifully with Italian spices. Try my lamb shoulder chops.

For best results, mix 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons per pound of ground meat to get that classic Italian sausage taste.

Storage Instructions

To keep your homemade Italian sausage seasoning fresh and full of flavor:

• Store in an airtight container (a glass spice jar or small mason jar works best).
• Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat.
• Use within 6 months for the freshest taste, though it will last up to a year.

For even better flavor infusion, lightly toast the fennel seeds before mixing them into the blend.