Sausage McMuffin
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My copycat sausage McMuffin recipe features a toasted English muffin topped with a perfectly cooked egg, savory breakfast sausage, and melty cheese. Only 4 ingredients needed.
Unpopular opinion: McDonald’s breakfast menu is far superior to the regular McDonald’s menu, and their sausage McMuffin is the standout.
Well, that is, until you make my healthier version. It has all the same components, except it’s made with better ingredients and about half the calories.
The tricky part was replicating the sausage patty, and although I tested multiple variations, I kept going back to my homemade sausage recipes (turkey and chicken), which taste almost identical. In the end, I just used my version, but I’ll include a couple of store-bought ones I tried so you have options.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Reader approved. Alexandra called these ‘the real deal, except not junk-like’, which is exactly what I was going for (see her review below).
- Only 4 ingredients. English muffin, egg, sausage, and cheese. That’s it. No mystery ingredients or additives.
- Works as meal prep. I make a batch of 8 on Sunday, and have breakfast for my partner and me sorted for the week. They reheat perfectly in the microwave (seriously).
- Cheaper. Is it just me, or is fast food no longer the cheaper option? The last time I went, I spent upwards of 20 bucks for a couple of sandwiches. My recipe is pennies on the dollar.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“Omg, thank you for the recipe! These smell and taste like the real deal, except not junk-like. I don’t know if that makes sense, but as a huge fan of the sausage and egg McMuffin, these are a dream!” – Alexandra
Key Ingredients
Here’s what goes into homemade McMuffins, along with my kitchen notes. Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Sausage. I use turkey or chicken sausage, but you can use any sausage, including frozen breakfast sausage. I’ve found that Jimmy Dean Original breakfast patties and Bob Evans ground pork sausage taste exactly like the ones used at McDonald’s.
- Eggs. Use room temperature eggs. If you forget them in the fridge, carefully place them in a bowl of lukewarm water for 5 minutes before cooking them.
- American cheese. For authentic flavor, use Kraft American cheese singles or a similar brand (there are tons of cheaper options). It also melts more evenly than cheddar.
- English muffins. I used whole wheat English muffins for a fiber boost, but any will work, including microwavable English muffins. For the recipe video and pictures, I used classic buns, which work well too.
How to make a McDonald’s sausage McMuffin
Step 1- Cook the sausages. Prepare the sausage patties as instructed (frozen, homemade turkey sausage, or chicken sausage).
Step 2- Cook the eggs. Add oil to a non-stick pan over medium heat. Once hot, add four egg rings and crack an egg into each one. Break the yolks with a fork, then fry for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the eggs from the heat.
Step 3- Toast and assemble. Toast the English muffins in a toaster. Place each egg on top of the sausage. Top each egg with a slice of American cheese and place it on the English muffin.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Swap the cheese. I love pepper jack for a spicy kick, and my partner prefers goat cheese, which sounds odd but works surprisingly well.
- Add some veggies. I add spinach and mushrooms to mine almost every time. It adds volume without significantly changing the flavor.
- Use different meat. Canadian bacon is my favorite swap- it’s what McDonald’s uses in their Egg McMuffin, and it’s leaner than sausage.
- Season the eggs. Add a little salt, black pepper, and onion powder for a flavor boost. For a more authentic McDonald’s flavor, you can even add a tiny pinch of sugar (they sweeten the sausage, but this would have the same effect).
Make ahead and storage
These breakfast sandwiches make excellent meal prep. Here’s how it’s done:
Up to one week: Wrap each breakfast sandwich in parchment paper, place them in individual ziplock bags, and then store them in the refrigerator.
One week or more: Wrap each breakfast sandwich in parchment paper and plastic wrap. Store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating: I prefer microwaving the sandwiches because it softens the bun and takes less than a minute. If you want to use the oven, place the sandwich on a baking sheet and heat in the oven at 350F for 8-10 minutes or until warm.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the country. In the US and Canada, the sausage patties are made with pork, which is what I grew up eating. In Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, beef is used. Parts of the Middle East, like the UAE, use chicken instead. I’ve been fortunate to try all three kinds, and because they all use the same spice mix, they all taste almost identical.
The original McMuffin has 383 calories. The sausage patty has 145 calories, the English muffin has 175 calories, the cheese has 55 calories, and the pat of butter on each muffin has 8 calories. Add the egg, and it brings the calories up to 452.
Sausage McMuffins
Video
Ingredients
- 4 English muffins
- 4 breakfast sausage patties * See notes
- 4 large eggs
- 4 slices American cheese
Instructions
- Prepare your sausage breakfast patties as instructed.
- Add some oil to a non-stick pan. Once hot, add four egg rings on top and add an egg to each one. Let it fry for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway through. Remove the eggs off the heat.
- Toast the English muffins. On one half, add the cheese, followed by a sausage patty, and an egg. Top with the other half of the muffin and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
More McDonald’s copycat recipes
- Big Mac sauce– I went through at least 20 packets of the sauce to replicate it to a T.
- Big Mac salad– This is pretty much a Big Mac burger in salad form.
- Spicy chicken sandwich– I developed this recipe when McDonald’s made it a seasonal item!
- Hash browns– Crispy hash browns that are crispy, golden, and freeze really well.
Originally published March 2015
the list is missing what spices to put in the sauage mix. the main unknown WE all know it has an egg and slice of cheese and a roll. I~ notice someone said you did have a good receipe for the sausage but removed /why its the main ingreient of the receipe
Hi Gordon- thanks for that. I actually made the sausage recipe its own dedicated post, because so many readers requested it. I linked both the ones I made for this (chicken and turkey) which includes the spice mix 🙂
Since Venison is plentiful and cheap, we make our sausage from venison. with the correct spices, one cannot tell the difference between beef except for the lack of fat which is a good thing. Gotta keep those arteries plaque-free.
Wow, Sylvia- you’ve inspired me to try this with venison. You are right about the spice mix- I’ve enjoyed this muffin in different countries where they use different meat, and it tastes the same!
Sausage patties I never know how to make. I need to buy them…
This looks delicious, but the “English Muffin” looks more like a hamburger bun!
Correct! We used that for some of the photos and video 🙂
I made this for my friend today. He said its the same as Mcdonals-the best one!
I love to hear that, Mario!
Looks so artistic. I tried egg muffin in Mcdonalds and was amazed. So this recipe I muwt try!
Very good we are big FANS
hello! why has this page changed? i was looking at it two weeks ago and it still had the sausage patty recipe, but now it’s changed to a mcmuffin assembly recipe! the wayback machine has saved my day (and my breakfast), but i was super bummed for a minute.
Hi Kirby- I hear you! We actually made the sausage its own dedicated post, because so many readers loved it on its own 🙂
I broke down and stopped by and got a sausage McMuffin the other day
they’ve done something to the sausage patty it’s not like it used to be. So in searching I came upon your recipe, absolutely perfect to the original sausage patty that they used to use, I used half pork half turkey. Thank you
I am questioning this recipe also, American Sausage McMuffins are made with pork not beef. Is this recipe a typo? Sausage is definitely pork,
Hi! I based it off Australia’s ones 🙂
Great idea! The different taste of the Sausage McMuffins in the US & Canada is because they use pork sausage, unlike the beef they use here in Oz. They also use pork in some European countries, and they actually use chicken in parts of the Middle East (such as UAE).
The Canadian version is made with pork – this must be an Americanized version with the beef as an ingredient. So giving this a try though subbing pork for the beef 🙂
Oh yum! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Omg thank you for the recipe! These smell and taste like the real deal except not junk like. Don’t know if that makes sense but as a huge fan of the sausage and egg mcmuffin, these are a dream!
Thanks for this recipe… I’m pretty addicted to Sausage McMuffins, so it’s great to know there’s a healthier alternative. 🙂 Can I just check with the ingredients, are the quantities for fresh herbs or can I substitute dried?
Hi Wendy! You can use either fresh or dried 🙂 Fresh you may need a tad more 🙂
Wow so much better and healthier. I hate Mcdonalds but this I will try 🙂
Hahaha thanks Miryam. We can have these with some Anzac cookies/biscuits. Gah, American lingo!
I’m just here to say HELLO, you know that. I do remember, though – my first trip to Hawaii as a youngun, I was IN AWE of the TWO. STORY. McDONALDS.
crazypants.
Hahahaha. I need to veganise this for you 😉
Hi there, I love those sausage mcmuffin patties and I just made your recipe for these ones – and they’re delicious! Worth making if you’re curious. Great spice mix.
Thank you SO much for trying it out- That means an absolute tonne!
Oh my word, these look amazing! I am absolutely craving these now. Wow.
Thanks Mandy! Um…pretty sure all your desserts leave me craving desserts!
I hate McDonalds and think the golden arches should be swapped for devil’s horns or a picture of heart disease and diabetes.
That being said, I used to love the breakfast sausage and cheese biscuit. Probably more for the flavor than anything because those patties are a pale comparison to meat. To this day, I occasionally make these for the Hubby because he still loves them. See, I’m a good wife. Most days. 🙂
….You know where I ate two of these beauties? While waiting for TWO sleeping beauties. True story.
haha you made a punny! it is golden and looks ridicoulsy good! maybe you need to make an copycat ebook next!
I so do. Copycat Corny Cotter recipes lololol
A bit bummed you didn’t call it Maccas somewhere in this post. 😉 Since visiting, I have adopted calling it that…for whatever reason, I just love it! Also, I love sausage so definitely gotta try making my own.
I know, right? Who am I? American, clearly 😉
Where I work, we never switch over. I am making eggs until 8pm. People really love that about us…I get an aching back from bending over to take the eggs out of the fridge every 15 minutes. I have never been to another country to try their fast food chain. I think if I finally did venture out of the good old U.S.A. I would want to try something non-traditional from that country. I also don’t really eat at fast food chains here anyway because I’ve read a lot of books about the monopolies and corruption in corporations so I try not to support them…
That was a long answer…so yes I obviously was a complete goat as a child 😉 Still am.
I need to come by your workplace- That is epic!
I am going to have to make theses. I already put sausage out to make patties with this morning. Now I just need to make the paleo version of the muffin. Will save the egg till ready to eat. Not a big fan of frozen eggs.
Ooh eggs can be so hit and miss frozen! I like your style! 🙂
Dear Arman, This sounds wonderful…so much better than McDonalds! I would love to try this- perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Pinning. Have a wonderful weekend, Catherine
Thanks for your kind words, Catherine 🙂
I mostly hate that McDonalds won’t sell fries with the breakfast stuff – I don’t like hash browns but definitely love french fries!! The gooey cheese on your muffins makes them look so much better than the fast food version!
WHAT! Hash browns are SO good, Kim! Well…you do like Cheetohs so I forgive you!
Funny. Both you and Amanda made reference to the golden arches today!! I used to eat these all the time as a kid…but had them hold the egg. Have always hated eggs – haha! Though I don’t eat meat anymore, these still look fab. Love the melty cheeeeeeese! YUM.
The melty cheese is awesome buddy- It’s like PLASTIC. PLASTIC FANTASTIC.
Also…I ate two of these the day I met you. You should eat one in our honour.
I’ve never eaten McD’s for breakfast… or at all really since I was a kid. However, I’d eat this. I can’t WAIT To be in a kitchen again!
I cannot wait for you to be in there again. You’re poor pre bed batter bowls.
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had breakfast at McD’s. Lunch, dinner, and 1 AM snacking, definitely… but never breakfast. Huh…. And I don’t think I’ve never had a burger from there either. No, wait… I did once. I hated it 😆 But then again I’m not much of a burger girl in general. It’s all about the nuggets and fries.
Excuse me but I had TWO of these while waiting for a certain two chickens sleeping in.
Oh my gosh this is GENIUS! I used to have this for breakfast from mcdonalds ALL the time, it was my favorite thing as a kid. I am SO pinning these and making asap!
Thanks buddy! PS- You’re instagram account makes me hungry ALL the time. WHY.
I only tried an egg mcmuffin once from McDonalds when I was 15 I think and I hated it! But I think a sausage would definitely improve it. I would eat your version. 😉
LOL. I ate two of these in Toronto when I was waiting for Meg and Amanda to wake up.
I love making my own sausage patties! Way better than what you buy boxed or at a restaurant for sureeeee. Sage is essential & I put fennel seed in mine, too. YUM.
Oh Fennel! I need to try that next time! (My friend is called Fennel. I also have another friend called Sage- No joke!)
I hope the special version you have saved is made from unicorn meat! Or dingo. Whatevs. Rosemary, sage, and smoked paprika… yeah that sounds golden to me for some sausage!
Haha, it has my hair and sweat in it.
You need to try kangaroo. That is delicious!
I haven’t had McDonalds in years! I looooove a good breakfast sandwich though (breakfast anything, really), and this looks super tasty.
I’ve heard that fast food chains definitely taste different in different countries. I don’t eat fast food, though, so I’ve never put it to the test!
You can just do that with wine haha 😉
When I was a wee lass I would eat two sausage mcmuffins (no egg) for breakfast before church each Sunday. My how things have changed. This comment also ties into my previous comment about jalapeno poppers and chicken nugs.
I need jalapeño poppers. I ate one in America and died. In foodie heaven.
I was craving this so badly while reading this on my train ride home. I remember those pale yellow styrofoam breakfast trays from McDonald’s. That’s when breakfast was my least favorite meal of the day…
Our dining hall has weird transition periods at 10:30 am because they’re switching from breakfast to lunch and they’re like breakfast nazis once 10:50 hits— “NO MORE FRENCH TOAST FOR ANYONE.”
And I have to say that I was definitely a stubborn goat when I was younger. I didn’t want to go to Hawaii the first time my parents took us there. I literally said, “I don’t want their pineapples!” This is when we were living in KANSAS.
Oh my gosh the styrofoam!
10.50am….That’s generous! Also…That is the greatest thing ever. Hear this- When I was 10, I got asked to travel the world for an Ad for tv….I said no because it could have potentially conflicted with my birthday. I also had no friends so have no idea what the point of a birthday at that point was!
I used to work at Maccas and lived off these bad boys! I haven’t had it in years. Must rectify that situation with your homemade version!
Please do- I’ve been eating the patties with potatoes for dinner!
I remember being so disappointed when McDonald’s ran out of hot cakes too! That stuff is traumatic right?! Like how can they run out?!? I feel a tad strongly about this 😉
It is! I once stole their whipped butter and pancake syrup and dumped it on an English muffin. It wasn’t the same.
Sorry I am confused. You don’t mention what sort of muffin you use. How can it be gluten free and paleo with a muffin?
Hi there,
under the instructions, there is information on the gluten free and paleo version.
Nicely done Arman. I love these at McD but always feel like I ate a grease bomb aboyt 20 minutes later!
Thanks Kristi- I promise these are not greasy 🙂
I love making these and I actually have a similar recipe that is going to be in my book. I loe that they can be frozen, meaning a really quick breakfast.
They are so great for a quick breakfast!
I’m so happy you shared this! I know a lot of people like sweet breakfasts but I am a salty/savory gal all the way. Breakfast sandwiches are the bomb.com. I’m not surprised that the McDonald’s stuff here tasted different — they probably put so much more fake stuff in there to make it taste “better” aka more addicting. America does that all the time. When I was in Europe the food at McDonald’s was completely different and although I didn’t eat there often, when I did, I was so much more impressed. Here? If I’m in a bind I’ll maybe get a fish filet but other than that, no thanks!
LOL. I love how every time I reference America, you bring up all the negative points about it. You’re such a patriotic chicken, I love it.
Yum! McMuffins, yogurt parfaits, and ice cream cones are the only things I ever want from McDonalds. I am sausage over bacon kind of girl, but usually skip it because of all the weird additives. Thanks for an easy recipe.
No worries at all, Kate- Enjoy!
This looks a billion times better than the original! 😀 Can’t wait to try making it!
Thanks Farrah! Enjoy!
Dude! You need to quit sharing all of these awesome recipes from your e-book! This one looks particularly dude-worthy, too. I haven’t eaten at Micky D’s since I can’t remember when…and who needs to when I have this recipe at home! Also, did you ever see Big Daddy with Adam Sandler? Your post reminds me of this scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDaG8MTd4ew
This scene is TOTALLY little Arman! (Make sure to watch it all the way to the end, too…)
WHAT! No- Okay I need to check it out now!
Dude Worthy Food. We need to write an e-book on that.
Oh this sounds soooo good. I’m definitely pinning for later!
Thanks Katie! Enjoy!
Oh, I used to love the McMuffin! How great to have a healthier version!
Thanks Kelly! Right?!
Hi there, these look great and I’m new to paleo style eating and looking for some simple meal ideas. Are the quantities of the herbs used for fresh or dried? Looking forward to trying these.
Hi Sue! these are for dried herbs! I hope you find success with the paleo style of eating! 🙂
Gah that McDonalds ingredient list is creeping me out….as for yours? Now that’s something I can defo get on board with. It drives me mad when restaurants stop serving breakfast even though you missed the cut-off by all of 5 minutes…yes that has happened to me!! And what’s even more annoying is when the said dish is eggs- let’s be honest, no matter what time of day, whipping up an omelet takes all of 5 minutes. And hell yes to being a stubborn goat as a kid. In fact McDonalds chicken nuggets were one of the few days I’d actually eat…with extra BBQ sauce of course!
wHAT! No sweet and sour sauce? Khushboo….
I hear you on the eggs. Seriously. WTF.
YES YES YES! I actually haven’t tried the sausage one at McDonalds, bt I am OBSESSED with their Egg White Delite. It’s obviously healthier than sausage, but not s healthy as yours. GIMME THESE. All of them! Pinned!
Urgh. I guess I can make one of these for like…all your recipes. Deal? Deal.
I had an egg mcmuffin on Friday wihile traveling, fancy that. I love sausage (TWSS) but I can’t general eat it unless it is chicken sausage, and even then I have to be careful.
Now, can you please find a way to make a Chickfila Chicken Biscuit healthy? But still buttery, decadent, amazingness?
Well…I hope you’ll enjoy my recipe coming up this week!
Love these! I crave breakfast sandwiches every once in a while and these would be a fantastic replacement!
Thanks heaps, Kristy- They are so easy and delicious!
I agree…those burger patties are more like rubber shoe soles than food. And not gonna lie, I was secretly hoping for a paleo english muffin to go with that sausage patty!
Hahaha right? I completely forgot to add that part underneath it- It’s been amended- I have my microwave paleo English muffin recipe to go with it!