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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  • Video
  • 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.

What are sausage balls made of? ›

Combine sausage, Cheddar cheese, flour, baking powder, salt, onion powder, seasoned salt, and dry mustard in a large bowl. Form into walnut-size balls and place on rimmed nonstick baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and no longer pink in the centers, about 20 minutes.

Can you freeze cooked sausage balls? ›

Can You Freeze Sausage Balls? Yes, you can freeze uncooked or cooked sausage balls.

How do you warm up sausage balls? ›

When you're ready to reheat your frozen sausage balls (already cooked) – Remove the desired amount from the freezer, put them on a baking sheet and reheat them at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes or 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).

What do you eat with sausage balls? ›

The best side dishes to serve with sausage balls are sauteed mushrooms, mashed sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, cheese dip, Brussels sprouts with bacon, scrambled eggs, wedge salad, yellow rice, grilled asparagus, biscuits and gravy, roasted red peppers, tomato and mozzarella salad, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and ...

How long can you eat sausage balls? ›

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.

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.

Is it better to freeze sausage cooked or uncooked? ›

Raw and cooked sausages can be frozen. Separate into portion sizes before freezing so that you can defrost exactly what you need. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

Do sausage balls reheat well? ›

I've found that they are okay if reheated, but tend to be a little rubbery if you microwave them. If you reheat in oven, I've always been told to wet them with a wet towel before putting them in. I think you should be able to make them up the night before, put in fridge, and then pop in oven in the morning.

What is the best way to freeze cooked sausage? ›

Alternately, you can wrap individual sausage patties or links in plastic wrap before storing them in non-vacuum seal bags or freezer-safe plastic storage containers to help ward off freezer burn. Note: Always freeze raw and cooked sausage or brats in separate bags or containers.

What is in Jimmy Dean sausage? ›

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

Why can't i reheat sausages? ›

Can you reheat sausages? Yes, you can reheat sausages. The best methods are using the microwave or hob. Consider cutting your sausages in half length-ways before reheating, as this will help them heat through without burning or drying out.

How long to cook sausage? ›

Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, then add the sausages. A little of the fat from the sausages will start to come out as they warm up; turn the sausages in the hot fat to coat them. Keep cooking for 15-20 mins, moving them around in the pan and turning them over regularly so they all cook evenly.

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.

What sausage does not need to be refrigerated? ›

Summer sausage is a type of cured meat that was developed in Europe prior to refrigeration technology. Using several types of preservation methods at once allowed people to make a sausage that would keep from spoiling without refrigeration “in the summer months.” Hence the name, summer sausage.

How do you keep sausage fresh without a refrigerator? ›

Sausage products.

Salt and a towel are also best for this product. To begin with, dilute the salt in water, wet a towel, wrap these products and transfer them to a cool place.

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