Sausage Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Mustard Dip
Crisp-edged, tender stuffing bites packed with sausage and herbs, served with a quick tangy-sweet cranberry mustard dip.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound mild pork breakfast sausage
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 celery ribs, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- 6 cups dried bread cubes
- 2 large eggs
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the sausage in a skillet, crumbling it, until no pink remains and it reaches 160°F (71°C). Transfer to a large bowl.
- Cook the aromatics: Leave 1 tablespoon drippings in the pan. Add 2 tablespoons butter, onion, and celery; cook 7 to 9 minutes. Add garlic, sage, and thyme for 1 minute, then add to the sausage.
- Mix: Add bread cubes, salt, and pepper. Whisk eggs with 1 cup broth, pour over the bread, and toss. Rest 5 minutes; add remaining broth only until the mixture holds when squeezed.
- Shape: Firmly shape 24 balls, about 2 tablespoons each, and arrange on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Melt the remaining butter and brush it over the tops.
- Bake: Bake 20 to 25 minutes until browned and the centers reach 165°F (74°C). Rest 5 minutes.
- Make the dip: Stir together cranberry sauce, Dijon, maple syrup, orange zest, and orange juice. Serve with the warm bites.
Notes
Shape up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate covered. Reheat baked bites to 165°F (74°C). Contains pork, egg, milk, wheat, and mustard. Images are AI-generated illustrations; recipe not kitchen-tested.