I preferred sausage over bacon for breakfast. For a very long time, I just bought Jimmy Dean links or patties. Very easy, just defrost and heat in the microwave. A few months ago the Jimmy Dean sausages began to taste bad to me. The sausage changed, or I changed, I don’t know.

To follow was a quest to find another breakfast sausage. Most have to be cooked in a pan, and that’s not ideal. I’ve tried several different brands, none taste as good to me as a breakfast sausage from a good restaurant (or for that matter like Jimmy Dean’s used to taste to me).

I can’t say that the taste of any other foods have changed for me. What is it? Any recommendations for a sausage I should try; just threw away another package after breakfast this morning.

If there’s an Aldi store in your area, they have very good sausage patties in the freezer case.

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Originally posted by 2Adefender:
If there’s an Aldi store in your area, they have very good sausage patties in the freezer case.

Maybe in Fort Collins, I’ll look.

Looked. No; they seem to be in the eastern half of the country.

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Originally posted by TMats:
Looked. No; they seem to be in the eastern half of the country.

We have Aldi’s in Arizona, so while there may not be one local to you, they aren’t just in the eastern US.

If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, it’s the same company, just two divisions owned by different brothers. One of them wanted to sell cigarettes and the other didn’t, so they split Germany up and changed the logo. In the US, one is called Aldi’s and the other Trader Joe’s.

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Most have to be cooked in a pan, and that’s not ideal.

I use an old Sunbeam electric skillet.

Our local Schnucks grocery store makes a pretty good breakfast sausage. Sorry that doesn't help you.

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Originally posted by P220 Smudge:

quote:

Originally posted by TMats:
Looked. No; they seem to be in the eastern half of the country.

We have Aldi’s in Arizona, so while there may not be one local to you, they aren’t just in the eastern US.

If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, it’s the same company, just two divisions owned by different brothers. One of them wanted to sell cigarettes and the other didn’t, so they split Germany up and changed the logo. In the US, one is called Aldi’s and the other Trader Joe’s.

There IS a Trader Joes in FoCo. Obviously, that’s not convenient, but if it really is good, stocking up is not out of the question.

I use a good smoked Deer sausage .My son and grandson keep me well stocked .

Make your own breakfast sausage. My main reason for starting on that path was I have a garlic intolerance so I wanted garlic-free sausage for breakfast on the weekend. Per protocol, I turned to Sigforum for wisdom.

I'd buy a pound of ground pork and then tried recipes until I found one that I loved. The 7th or 8th one I tried was America's Test Kitchen and it's my favorite:

Hills

I switched to Jimmy Dean "all natural" they are a bit more but damned good

https://www.target.com/p/jimmy...kEZMveEaAsivEALw_wcB

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
If there’s an Aldi store in your area, they have very good sausage patties in the freezer case.

I didn’t see an Aldi’s branded sausage on their website, but there were several options. What brand specifically are you recommending?

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Make your own breakfast sausage.

Agreed. I started making my own about 2 years ago, and will probably never go back to store bought breakfast sausage. I smoke a lot of meat throughout the year, and all those trimmings get stashed in the freezer for sausage. We grind that with pork shoulder and use Legg's #10 seasoning. Really good stuff!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BSTP8YR

Purnell’s Old Folks sausage. It’s a local brand from Simpsonville, KY and carried in local Kroger’s in the area.

Purnell’s makes a smokehouse version which I like but can’t buy unless you order a full case from them. I believe the “favorite Southern restaurant” referenced at website is “Cracker Barrel”. “Dairy Queen” also uses their “gravy”for biscuits.

https://itsgooo-od.com/product/smokehouse-sausage/

As for cooking sausage patties, I use a microwave safe glass plate, covered with a paper towel to catch the grease. For each patty, I cook it no more than 30 seconds on high (4 to 5 patties for 2 minutes). If you wrap the paper towel around the patties, you might have a difficult time peeling the paper towel from patties.

I share your preference for sausage supremacy.

you are not wrong about Jimmy Dean.

We by ground pork at the local grocery with a fresh meat counter and season it ourselves for crumbled. If we want patties, we use Kroger brand

I make my own sausage; breakfast, andouille, hot and mild Italian, and chorizo.

Made 125 lbs in February, 50/50 blend of venison and pork.

I have about 15 lbs remaining. Good thing it is deer season again.

quote:

Originally posted by cparktd:

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
If there’s an Aldi store in your area, they have very good sausage patties in the freezer case.

I didn’t see an Aldi’s branded sausage on their website, but there were several options. What brand specifically are you recommending?

no turkey in pork sausage thank you.

I hate turkey sausage. I go out of my way to avoid it. But this sausage is delicious. Tastes just like any pork sausage I’ve ever had.

In fact, I just noticed there was some turkey in it. But if that bothers you, don’t buy it.

Find yourself a local hog farmer who will sell it to you by the pig. Then have the butcher make you some "whole hog sausage". After you have that, you'll never eat store bought patties again.