This Turkey and Apple Sausage Skillet is a cozy one-pan meal perfect for crisp evenings. Savory turkey sausage and sweet apples create a comforting harmony with sage and thyme. It’s hearty yet lean, ready in about 40 minutes with minimal cleanup.
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Why You’ll Love This Turkey and Apple Sausage Skillet
- One-pan wonder: Everything cooks together for easy cleanup.
- Sweet & savory magic: Caramelized apples balance herby sausage perfectly.
- Versatile base: Serve over polenta, rice, or pasta.
- Hearty but lean: Turkey sausage keeps it light yet satisfying.
Ingredients & Tools
- 1 lb mild or sweet Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 crisp apples (like Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp whole grain mustard
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Tools: A large (12-inch) oven-safe skillet is ideal.
Notes: Don’t stress if you don’t have an oven-safe version—you can finish everything on the stovetop. The quality of your sausage really makes a difference here, so choose one you enjoy. And for the apples, pick a variety that holds its shape when cooked so you get those lovely tender-yet-firm bites.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories: | 320 kcal |
| Protein: | 22 g |
| Fat: | 16 g |
| Carbs: | 22 g |
| Fiber: | 3 g |
Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes
- Choosing your sausage. I prefer mild Italian turkey sausage for its herbaceous flavor, but a spicy version would be fantastic if you like a little kick. Just be sure to remove the casings so the meat can brown properly and mingle with the other ingredients.
- Don’t skimp on the apple variety. You want an apple that’s sweet but also firm enough to withstand cooking without turning to mush. Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Braeburn are my top picks. Granny Smith can be too tart here.
- Why an oven-safe skillet? If you have one, popping the whole skillet under the broiler for a minute at the end can give the top a beautiful, slightly caramelized finish. If not, no worries—a lid for your regular skillet works perfectly to steam and soften the apples.
- The power of a good sear. Take the time to get a nice, brown crust on the turkey sausage as you break it up. Those browned bits at the bottom of the pan are pure flavor gold and will form the base of your simple pan sauce.
How to Make Turkey and Apple Sausage Skillet
Step 1: Start by heating the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey sausage (casings removed) and use a wooden spoon to break it up into bite-sized chunks. You’re not trying to cook it all the way through yet—just get a good, brown sear on the outside. This should take about 5-7 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the bottom of the pan has those delicious-looking browned bits. Transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving any rendered fat and those tasty bits behind.
Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium and add the sliced onion to the same skillet. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and become translucent. Now, add your sliced apples and cook for another 4-5 minutes. You’re looking for the apples to soften just a bit and the onions to start taking on a golden color. The aroma at this stage is just incredible—sweet and savory all at once.
Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic and fresh thyme. Cook for just one minute more, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. This quick step wakes up all those aromatic flavors and ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout the dish.
Step 4: It’s sauce time! Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, and use your spoon to scrape up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This is called deglazing, and it’s the secret to building a deeply flavorful sauce. Stir in the whole grain mustard and maple syrup. The mustard adds a lovely tangy complexity, while the maple syrup enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and balances the savory notes.
Step 5: Return the browned turkey sausage to the skillet, stirring everything together to coat it in the sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes. This allows the apples to become perfectly tender, the flavors to marry, and the sausage to cook through completely.
Step 6: Remove the lid and give everything a final stir. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed—the sausage and broth already have salt, so you may not need much. If you’re using an oven-safe skillet and want a bit more color, you can pop it under a preheated broiler for 1-2 minutes at this stage. Otherwise, it’s ready to go! Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness before serving.
Storage & Freshness Guide
- Fridge: Cool completely, store in airtight container up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in airtight container up to 2 months (apples soften slightly upon thawing).
- Reviving: Reheat gently on stovetop, adding a splash of broth if dry.
Serving Suggestions
Complementary Dishes
- Creamy Polenta — The soft, mild polenta is a dreamy base that soaks up the savory-sweet pan juices beautifully.
- Buttery Mashed Potatoes — For the ultimate comfort food plate, spoon the skillet mixture over a fluffy mound of mashed potatoes.
- A Simple Arugula Salad — The peppery bite of arugula with a light lemon vinaigrette provides a crisp, refreshing contrast to the rich skillet.
Drinks
- A Dry Hard Cider — It echoes the apple flavors in the dish while the bubbles and acidity cut through the richness perfectly.
- Pinot Noir — A light-bodied red with notes of cherry and earth complements the savory sausage and fruit without overpowering it.
- Sparkling Water with Lemon — A non-alcoholic option that cleanses the palate between bites with its bright, effervescent fizz.
Something Sweet
- Warm Apple Crisp — Double down on the cozy apple theme with a dessert that features a crunchy oat topping and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Dark Chocolate Pots de Crème — A rich, silky chocolate dessert provides a deep, bittersweet finish that contrasts wonderfully with the main course.
- Ginger Snaps — A few spicy, crunchy cookies are a simple yet satisfying way to end the meal, especially with a cup of tea or coffee.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the apples. If you cook the apples for too long at the beginning, they’ll turn to mush and lose their texture in the final dish. You just want them to soften slightly before you add the liquid.
- Not deglazing the pan properly. Those browned bits stuck to the bottom are pure flavor. If you don’t scrape them up with the chicken broth, you’re missing out on the foundation of your sauce. Take the time to do it—it makes all the difference.
- Using apples that are too soft. Varieties like Red Delicious will completely disintegrate. A firm, crisp apple is non-negotiable for maintaining structure and providing little bursts of sweet flavor.
- Skimping on the browning of the sausage. Browning equals flavor. If you just gray the meat, the final dish will taste flat. Get a good, proper sear on that sausage before you set it aside.
Expert Tips
- Tip: For a richer, thicker sauce, mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir it in during the last two minutes of cooking. It will give the pan juices a lovely, glossy consistency that clings to everything.
- Tip: If you have fresh sage, chop up a few leaves and add them with the thyme. Sage and pork or turkey sausage are a classic pairing, and it adds another layer of earthy, aromatic depth.
- Tip: Want to add some greens? Stir in a couple of large handfuls of fresh spinach or chopped kale during the last 3 minutes of cooking, just until wilted. It’s an easy way to sneak in some extra veggies.
- Tip: Make it ahead! This dish reheats beautifully. Let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage?
Absolutely! Pork Italian sausage works wonderfully if you prefer it, and chicken sausage is a great alternative to turkey. Just keep in mind that pork sausage will release more fat, so you might want to drain a little off after browning. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious. The key is to use a sausage that’s well-seasoned with herbs like fennel, sage, or thyme.
My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?
The easiest fix is to create a quick slurry. Mix one teaspoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl until it’s smooth. Stir this mixture into the simmering skillet and cook for another minute or two, stirring constantly. You’ll see the sauce thicken up almost immediately. Alternatively, you can just let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce and concentrate.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You sure can—it’s a fantastic make-ahead meal. Let the skillet cool to room temperature after cooking, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if it seems a little dry. The flavors meld and improve over time.
What can I use instead of maple syrup?
If you don’t have maple syrup, a tablespoon of brown sugar or even a drizzle of honey will work as a substitute. The goal is just a touch of sweetness to balance the savory and tangy elements. If you’re using honey, add it at the very end off the heat so it doesn’t lose its delicate flavor from prolonged cooking.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
It freezes fairly well! Cool the mixture completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. It will keep for up to 2 months. The texture of the apples may be a little softer upon thawing and reheating, but the flavor will still be great. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop.
Turkey And Apple Sausage Skillet
Make this easy Turkey and Apple Sausage Skillet for a sweet and savory one-pan dinner. Ready in 40 minutes with minimal cleanup. Get the recipe now!
Ingredients
For the Ingredients & Tools
-
1 lb mild or sweet Italian turkey sausage (casings removed)
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 large yellow onion (thinly sliced)
-
2 crisp apples (like Honeycrisp or Fuji, cored and sliced)
-
3 cloves garlic (minced)
-
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried)
-
½ cup chicken broth
-
1 tbsp whole grain mustard
-
1 tbsp maple syrup
-
Salt and black pepper (to taste)
-
Fresh parsley (for garnish (optional))
Instructions
-
Start by heating the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the turkey sausage (casings removed) and use a wooden spoon to break it up into bite-sized chunks. You’re not trying to cook it all the way through yet—just get a good, brown sear on the outside. This should take about 5-7 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the bottom of the pan has those delicious-looking browned bits. Transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving any rendered fat and those tasty bits behind.01
-
Reduce the heat to medium and add the sliced onion to the same skillet. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and become translucent. Now, add your sliced apples and cook for another 4-5 minutes. You’re looking for the apples to soften just a bit and the onions to start taking on a golden color. The aroma at this stage is just incredible—sweet and savory all at once.02
-
Stir in the minced garlic and fresh thyme. Cook for just one minute more, until the garlic becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter. This quick step wakes up all those aromatic flavors and ensures they’re evenly distributed throughout the dish.03
-
It’s sauce time! Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, and use your spoon to scrape up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This is called deglazing, and it’s the secret to building a deeply flavorful sauce. Stir in the whole grain mustard and maple syrup. The mustard adds a lovely tangy complexity, while the maple syrup enhances the natural sweetness of the apples and balances the savory notes.04
-
Return the browned turkey sausage to the skillet, stirring everything together to coat it in the sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it cook for about 8-10 minutes. This allows the apples to become perfectly tender, the flavors to marry, and the sausage to cook through completely.05
-
Remove the lid and give everything a final stir. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed—the sausage and broth already have salt, so you may not need much. If you’re using an oven-safe skillet and want a bit more color, you can pop it under a preheated broiler for 1-2 minutes at this stage. Otherwise, it’s ready to go! Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness before serving.06
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