A Chef's Life: Recipe for Sausage Balls (2024)

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Food & Drink

Chef Vivian Howard shares her recipe for this holiday classic

December 11, 2014



Sausage Balls
from Vivian Howard, The Chef and the Farmer
Yields 40 1-oz. balls

Ingredients:
1 cup cornmeal
1 tbsp. brown sugar
½ tsp. salt
1½tsp. baking powder
8 oz. block sharp cheddar cheese, grated on the medium holes of a box grater
1 lb. sausage*
1 small yellow onion, grated
2 oz. cream cheese

*Note: Nearly any flavorful sausage will do here, but we traditionally use a slightly hot, “country style” sage sausage.

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Coat parchment with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl, stir together the cornmeal, brown sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add cheddar cheese and toss to evenly coat. In another, slightly smaller bowl, use your hands to combine the sausage, onion, and cream cheese.

Add sausage mixture to the cheddar-cornmeal mixture, again using your hands to combine the two. (You’re looking for a slightly dry “dough.”) Pinch off 1-ounce pieces and roll them into balls. Place them 1 inch apart on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.

Serve warm or at room temperature. For an easy sauce, try mixing ¾ cup apple butter with ¼ cup Dijon mustard.

tags:

  • Holiday Recipes
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  • Vivian Howard
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A Chef's Life: Recipe for Sausage Balls (22)

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A Chef's Life: Recipe for Sausage Balls (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to refrigerate sausage balls after you make them? ›

Sausage balls can sit out while serving for up to two hours. Past that point, they should be refrigerated and reheated. Do sausage balls need a dipping sauce? Sausage balls are delicious all on their own, but you can pair with ranch, honey mustard, or any other dipping sauce you love.

How long are sausage balls good for in the freezer? ›

To freeze cooked sausage balls: Bake the sausage balls and allow them to cool completely. Flash freeze them overnight, then transfer them to zip-top freezer bags. Wrap in foil and freeze flat for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven or in the microwave.

How do you reheat refrigerated sausage balls? ›

Store cooked sausage balls in an airtight container in your fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat these in the microwave or pop them back in the oven until heated through.

How do you keep sausage balls from turning brown on the bottom? ›

Whether you're cooking these sausage balls indoors or outdoors, be sure to place them on a sheet of parchment paper to keep them from getting too brown on the bottom.

How long can you keep uncooked sausage balls in the refrigerator? ›

All sausages- except dry sausage - are perishable and therefore must be kept refrigerated or frozen. Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 °F or less).

Is 2 year old frozen sausage still good? ›

Poisonous microbes like bacteria are put into sleep mode by freezing. In simpler terms, it's almost impossible for most frozen foods to ever become spoiled in a working freezer. So, from a food safety perspective, your two-year-old meat is good to go. Thaw it, cook it, and enjoy it!

How do you reheat sausage balls without drying them out? ›

Place a damp paper towel in the bottom of crock pot (this well keep them from drying out as they reheat) Place sausage balls in crock pot and heat on low until heated through (a crock pot full may take 2-3 hours)

Can you eat sausage balls that were left out overnight? ›

Can sausage balls sit out? After you have formed the sausage balls, you can leave them on the counter for a short period of time, but since it is raw meat, you should store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. After they have cooked, you can leave them at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Can you freeze sausage balls after they're cooked? ›

Easy Make Ahead Sausage Balls whip up quickly, freeze easily, and cook from frozen just as easily! They're your new favorite appetizer recipe.

What do you eat with sausage balls? ›

These sausage cheese balls are just perfect on their own, but you can also serve them alongside fruit or eggs for a more balanced breakfast. Additionally, they are delicious when served with your favorite dipping sauce, from ranch to BBQ sauce.

What is in Jimmy Dean sausage? ›

PORK, WATER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS: CORN SYRUP, SALT, NATURAL FLAVOR, VINEGAR, SUGAR, PORK BROTH, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE.

How long can cooked sausage sit out? ›

Cooked food can only stay in the temperature danger zone for so long before it becomes unsafe to eat. Havern explains: "The maximum amount of time perishable foods can [spend] in the danger zone is two hours. At two hours, the food must be consumed, stored correctly, or thrown away.

Can cooked sausage be left out overnight? ›

How long can cooked sausage be left out of the refrigerator? According to the USDA to keep food out of the danger zone after cooking, hot food must be kept hot at 140 degrees F. If perishable food has been left out for more than 2 hours, throw it out to avoid harmful bacteria.

How long do sausage balls stay fresh? ›

Of course, when you purchase properly packed sausage balls they will be safe in the refrigerator for a few days and up to a month in the freezer. It is a good idea to cook them while they are still fresh for optimum freshness and flavor. Cooked sausage balls can be kept for up to 3 to 4 days.

What sausage does not need to be refrigerated? ›

All sausage — except dry sausage — is perishable and therefore must be kept refrigerated.

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