Homemade Sausage & Egg McMuffin recipe just like McDonald's, only better with my secret ingredient. The homemade sausage patties can be made in advance and frozen along with the English muffins for an easy convenient breakfast sandwich.
I am not a big McDonald's fan, but Macca's (or Mickey D's), but not a complete detractor either. There is a soft spot in my heart for the old sausage McMuffin.
Every now and then, I find myself craving a classic fast-food breakfast sandwich. But with the rising prices and McDonald’s swapping out their pork sausage patty for beef (in Australia), I knew it was time to make my own homemade version!
These may not be as easy as my cloud eggs to whip up, but they are super quick to make. If you want to challenge yourself give my bacon and egg pie a whirl.
What makes this recipe taste closer to Macca’s than others? I took a fast-food approach and found the secret to that umami-packed sausage patty, check the ingredients to see my game-changer!
Sara xxx
What's in this post
Quick Sausage & Egg McMuffin FAQs
This is a super fast and easy breakfast recipe. 8 minutes preparation and 15 minutes cooking time.
Yes, you can double this recipe very easily. Doubling the recipe is great for batch cooking and freezing the homemade sausage patties in the freezer.
Store assembled McMuffins in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wrap each in foil or plastic wrap and keep them in an airtight container. To reheat, unwrap and microwave on low or warm in the oven covered with foil.
Sausage patties and English muffins can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Cost saving homemade Vs McDonald's
I did the math, a homemade sausage and egg McMuffin costs A$2.57 each compared to McDonald's retail price of A$6.80. A saving of A$16.92 for a family of four. It all adds up.
Ingredients
A full printable recipe card can be found at the end of this post with recipe ingredient measurements and the method.
Pork Mince / Ground Pork: Pork mince can be substituted for beef mince. McDonald's changed the sausage patty in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore (I am sure other countries too) quite a few years ago to beef, allowing it to be more inclusive of religious dietary factors. Pork sausage patties are still used in Canada, USA, and other parts of the world.
Cheese Slices: Use processed cheese slices like McDonald's or natural cheese slices if preferred. I use Kraft singles or American cheese slices.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): A little MSG is the secret to elevating my sausage patty recipe with that extra punch of mouthwatering umami. While you can skip it and use extra salt instead, the amount makes a noticeable difference, taking these homemade sausage McMuffins to the next level!
MSG is available at Asian grocers.
What is Monosodium Glutamate?
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer that boosts the savory, umami taste in foods. Naturally found in ingredients like tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms, it’s commonly used in cooking to add depth and richness.
MSG is a natural product typically produced through the fermentation of starch, sugar beets, sugarcane, or molasses—similar to how yogurt or soy sauce is made. The result is a pure, crystallized form of glutamate that enhances the umami flavour in foods.
In small amounts, it can elevate flavours without overpowering them. Making it a secret weapon for creating that irresistible fast-food-style taste at home!
Freezer Sandwiches
It is easy to make these sausage McMuffins a ready to go breakfast freezer sandwich.
My tips and what I do: I freeze the sausage patties and the muffins individually in plastic wrap. When I am ready to make a McMuffin, I defrost the muffin in the microwave, and then the sausage patty while the muffin is toasting.
If I want to add an egg, I cook it fresh. I toast the muffins as per the recipe and add cheese. This way your McMuffin has a 100% freshly made look and taste.
Sausage McMuffins: Follow the recipe and assemble the McMuffins. Wrap them tightly in baking paper and then again in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Sausage & Egg McMuffins: Instead of frying eggs individually, scramble the eggs and make an omelette. Cut the omelette into 5 pieces and assemble on the muffin instead of the fried egg. Follow the freezing instructions above.
Microwave re-heating: To re-heat from the freezer, remove the foil and place in the microwave on medium heat for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. Check and turn the muffin upside down every 30 seconds until done.
Printable Recipe
Sausage & Egg McMuffins - just like McDonald's
Ingredients
Pork Sausage Patties
- 500 grams (1 lb) pork mince / ground pork | note 1
- ½ teaspoon dried ground sage
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped thyme leaves | or use 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon monosodium glutamate | note 2
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Muffins
- 2 tablespoon oil
- 5 eggs | optional
- 5 cheese slices | note 3
- 5 English muffins
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven grill (broiler) to high.
- Split English muffins in half and place the cut side up on a baking tray, and set aside.
- If you are using egg rings for the perfect round egg, spray them with oil.
- Cook sausage patties and eggs at the same time. If you prefer to cook them one at a time, start with the pork patties and cover them with foil while cooking the eggs.
Pork Sausage Patties
- Place all the pork sausage patty ingredients in a medium size bowl. Mix well with your hands, until spices are completely mixed through.
- Divide the sausage mixture into 5 equal size balls and flatten to patties slightly larger than your English muffins. The patties will shrink on cooking.
- Place a large non stick frying pan / skillet over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Cook sausage patties for 2-3 minutes on one side, flip once golden brown.Cook the patties in batches, if needed, so you don't overcrowd the frying pan.
- Cover patties with a piece of aluminium foil to keep warm while you toast the English Muffins.
Eggs
- While the pork patties are cooking place another large non stick frying pan / skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Crack eggs either directly into the frying pan or into prepared egg rings.
- Cook eggs to your preference and flip if necessary.Once cooked set eggs aside while toasting the English muffins.
Assembling the McMuffins
- Place English muffins under the oven grill / broiler and toast until brown.
- If you would like your cheese melted place cheese slices over a muffin half under the grill and allow the cheese to melt slightly. This will take seconds.
- Place toasted muffins on a serving plate, top with a sausage patty, egg, and cheese (if not already melted onto the muffin). Then place the other half of the toasted muffin on top.Serve immediately.
Oven Temperatures
All oven temperatures are fan forced.
Measurement Notes
All measurements are Australian metric standard. All measures are level, and cups are lightly packed unless specified. 1 teaspoon = 5ml / 1 tablespoon = 20mls / 1 cup = 250ml /4 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon.
Recipe Notes
Store assembled McMuffins in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wrap each in foil or plastic wrap and keep them in an airtight container. To reheat, unwrap and microwave on low or warm in the oven covered with foil.
Sausage patties and English muffins can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.Sausage patties and English muffins can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
I freeze the sausage patties and the muffins individually in plastic wrap. When I am ready to make a McMuffin, I defrost the muffin in the microwave, and then the sausage patty while the muffin is toasting.If I want to add an egg, I cook it fresh. I toast the muffins as per the recipe, and add cheese. This way your McMuffin has a 100% freshly made look and taste.
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
Sausage McMuffins: Follow the recipe and assemble the McMuffins. Wrap them tightly in baking paper and then again in foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
The recipe's nutritional information is an approximation based on an online calculator. It is meant solely for reference purposes. If you're looking for precise details, be sure to double-check with your own research.
Lisa Casey
I love a sausage mcmuffin sans the egg though. thanks for the recipe. Will definitely try.
Sara McCleary
Hi Lisa, I have to admit, I am also sans the egg 😉