Fruity Sausage Burgers - A delicious Sweet & Savoury British Recipe

 

 

If you're looking for a burger that's a little bit different from the ordinary, these Fruity Sausage Burgers are sure to hit the spot. Juicy sausage meat is paired with sweet dried fruit to create a delicious combination of flavours that has long been a favourite in British cooking. Served on a soft roll with your favourite flavour additions such as lettuce, mayo, grainy mustard or even fried onions, these burgers are hearty, flavouful and wonderfully satisfying.

The contrast between the savoury sausage and the subtle sweetness of the fruit creates a unique burger experience that's both comforting and memorable. Easy to make and perfect for family meals, casual suppers, or weekend gatherings, these Fruity Sausage Burgers are proof that simple ingredients can produce extraordinary results!

 

 

One of the things I really fell in love with in the U.K. was their sausages. Not the typical supermarket ones, but quality thick and meaty sausages, or a good Butcher's sausage. You just couldn't ask for anything better. My sister and I make our own sausages these days. Sometimes we pop them into casings, but more often than not we just make the meat and freeze it in bulk without skins. That makes it really simple and easy to use in recipes such as this one I am sharing with you today. Our favourites are Cumberland and Sweet Italian.

These Sausage Burgers are a real favourite, using a rich and delicious sausage meat, loaded with plenty of chopped cranberries and creamy pinenuts. This is a triune of flavour perfection. 

They are super easy to make. You simply mix everything together, shape and then bake until golden brown and juicy. Ready to slip into a soft roll and enjoy.  I like to add some peppery rocket/baby arugula leaves, but you could simply add a mix of spring greens, romaine or even iceberg if that's how you roll.

A spritz of spicy mayo or grainy mustard also goes very nice with the other flavours. On their own, or with some crisp potato chips these make a lovely lunch. Add some soup or oven chips and a salad and you have a hearty, simple and affordable family meal that everyone will enjoy!

 

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

TO MAKE

🍔FRUITY SAUSAGE BURGERS🍔 

There is nothing complicated about any of this. Just use the best you can afford and you'll be very happy. 

• 8 of your favourite thick sausages (Can use sweet Italian, Bangers, Honey Garlic, etc. Use a good lean, well flavoured one, a generous pound in weight altogether)
• 1 cup (80g) of dried cranberries
• 2/3 cup (80g) of pinenuts
• 4 toasted rolls (split in half and toast under the grill, toasting one side only)
• Fresh Baby Arugula/ Rocket Leaves

 

🍔NOTES ON INGREDIENTS🍔 

Sausages

Good quality pork sausage will give you the best flavour. Traditional British style sausages work beautifully in this if you can find them, but feel free to use your favorite variety. The key is choosing sausages that are well seasoned and meaty rather than over-lean.

Dried fruit

The dried fruit adds a gentle sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the savoury pork. Dried cranberries are a favourite, but raisins and sultanas are good choices, apricots or even dried cherries can be used for a different flavour profile.

Pinenuts

Add a delicate buttery sweetness that works very well with the pork and a bit of crunch.

Buns

Soft white buns are traditional and provide the perfect contrast to the hearty filling. If you can find soft rolls then you can use soft burger buns, or even crusty bread rolls. I like soft white buns the best and potato buns are wonderful.

Fresh Baby Arugula

Adds a nice fresh peppery touch. You could use lettuce if you prefer, but I love the meatiness and peppery flavour of arugula which is perfection in my opinion.

🍔HOW TO MAKE FRUITY SAUSAGE BURGERS🍔

Nothing could be easier.

1. Preheat the oven to 400*F/200*C/gas mark 6. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment. Set aside. (Use a sheet pan with a heavy bottom and a lip.)
2. Skin all of the sausages, discarding the skins. Place the meat into a bowl. (Crumble it up.)
3. Chop the cranberries finely and add to the meat, along with the pinenuts. Mix well together with your hands. (Your hands are the best tool. If it bothers you, you can wear disposable gloves.)
4. Shape into 8 balls, flattening the balls into patties. Place onto the prepared baking tray. (The bottom of a metal measuring cup makes the perfect tool for flattening them. Butter it first.)
5. Bake for about 25 minutes, until golden brown and crisped up on the outsides. (They should not be pink on the insides and the juices should run clear. Inner temperature should be 145*F/63*C)
6. Place a toasted bun bottom on each of four plates. (I butter the cut sides of the buns and toast them lightly under the grill.)
7. Top each with a handful of Rocket and two sausage patties. Top with the top bun halves. Serve immediately. (You could add some crumbled cheese to the top of the hot sausage patties if you wish, allowing it to melt. Stilton would be really nice with the sweetness of the fruit.)

🍔HINTS & TIPS FOR SUCCESS🍔 

Choose good-quality sausages

The sausages are the star of the show here. Use the best quality you can find. A well-seasoned pork sausage with plenty of flavour will make all the difference.

Don't skip the fruit

The fruit isn't there to make this dish sweet. Instead, it adds little bursts of sweetness that complement the savoury flavour of the sausage beautifully and create a delicious balance of flavours.

Cut the fruit into small even pieces

This helps distribute it evenly throughout the filling so that every bite contains a little bit of both sweet and savoury goodness.

Brown the patties nicely

A good, golden-brown colour adds extra flavour and helps to create a richer taste in the finished dish.

Warm the buns before using

A few minutes in a low oven can make all the difference. Warm, soft rolls are the perfect home for the flavourful sausage patties.

Add your own twist

A spoonful of chutney, a little wholegrain mustard, a spicy mayo, or a scattering of fresh herbs, maybe even some sauteed onions can elevate these sausage burgers even further.

Great for meal prep

The sausage filling can be made in advance and refrigerated until needed. Simply cook and assemble when ready to serve.

🍔MY TOP TIP🍔

The key to this recipe is embracing the sweet and savoury combination. If you're unsure about fruit with sausage, trust the process! It's a classic pairing that has long been popular with pork dishes because the sweetness complements the richness of the meat beautifully.

 

🍔FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS🍔 

WHAT TYPE OF SAUSAGE WORKS BEST IN THIS RECIPE?

A good quality thick and meaty sausage works best. If you can locally sourced, Butcher's sausage that is ideal. But here in North America you could use a mild sweet Italian or a sausage that has been designated as being a British Banger. I miss Cumberland sausage. That was my favourite in the U.K.

WHY ARE THESE CALLED "FRUITY?"

The addition of dried fruit brings a lovely touch of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savoury sausage meat, bringing the perfect balance of sweet and savory to every bite.

CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD OF TIME?

Yes! You can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Shape and place of a plate. Cover tightly. Simply cook and assemble when you are ready to serve.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THESE?

These are lovely on their own with perhaps a dollop of spicy mayonnaise, but are also very nice served with some potato chips, a simple salad, baked beans or even a bowl of soup on a chilly day.

CAN THIS RECIPE BE DOUBLED?

You can certainly double this recipe. Simply multiply everything by two.

CAN THESE BE FROZEN?

You can only freeze the raw patties if your sausage has not been previously frozen. Otherwise, cook and then freeze, tightly wrapped, dated and labeled.  Use within three months.

CAN I USE DIFFERENT DRIED FRUITS?

You certainly can.  Dried apricots, figs, dates, sour cherries or even sultana raisins are all great choices!

WHAT MAKES THIS RECIPE SPECIAL?

This recipe is simple, economical and packed with flavour. The combination of juicy sausage meat, soft rolls and sweet fruit creates a delicious twist on a traditional sausage sandwich.

 

🍔A FEW OTHER SAUSAGE RECIPES TO ENJOY🍔 

Here are a few other delicious sausage recipes for you to consider.

OVEN BARBEQUED SAUSAGES - Meaty plump sausages, browned with onions and then oven braised in a delicious homemade BBQ sauce. The sauce thickens in the slow bake into a glossy rich sauce, filled with lovely bits of onion, coating and glazing the sausages beautifully. Lovely served with piles of fluffy mash. This is sausage and mash, but not as you know it.

SAGE ROASTED BANGERS with MASH & ONION GRAVY - Nice and meaty sausages roasted with sage until golden brown. Moist and delicious with a crisp snappy skin.  Served with a delicious pile of fluffy mashed potatoes and a tasty homemade onion gravy. Comfort food doesn't get much better than this. 

 

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Yield: Serves 4

Author: Marie Rayner

Fruity Sausage Burgers

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min

These are sooooo simple and very tasty. All you need is a good sausage, some tasty buns and a few other simple ingredients. Quick, easy, delicious.

Ingredients

• 8 of your favourite thick sausages (Can use sweet Italian, Bangers, Honey Garlic, etc. Use a good lean, well flavoured one, a generous pound in weight altogether)
• 1 cup (80g) of dried cranberries
• 2/3 cup (80g) of pinenuts
• 4 toasted rolls (split in half and toast under the grill, toasting one side only)
• Fresh Baby Arugula/ Rocket Leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400*F/200*C/gas mark 6. Line a large baking tray with baking parchment. Set aside.
2. Skin all of the sausages, discarding the skins. Place the meat into a bowl.
3. Chop the cranberries finely and add to the meat, along with the pinenuts. Mix well together with your hands.
4. Shape into 8 balls, flattening the balls into patties. Place onto the prepared baking tray.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes, until golden brown and crisped up on the outsides. (They should not be pink on the insides and the juices should run clear. Inner temperature should be 145*F/63*C)
6. Place a toasted bun bottom on each of four plates.
7. Top each with a handful of Rocket and two sausage patties. Top with the top bun halves. Serve immediately.

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