This Cheesy Sausage Dip recipe is an appetizer staple filled with rich cheesy flavor and savory sausage. And, you can make it in the slow cooker!.
Cheesy Sausage Dip is a simple and delicious recipe that is perfect for football watch parties, tailgate parties, or just a get-together with friends and family. I love to plan a menu of great snacks and appetizers and set them out on the coffee table when it’s time to watch the game or have people over. And, one recipe you will always find on that table is this yummy dip!.
When I make this, I add cream cheese and corn, but the Italian ground sausage is still the star. This is the stove-top version, but you can make it in a slow cooker as well. Even if you cook it on the stove, you can put it in a slow cooker to keep it warm. It’s totally up to you.
Italian Ground Sausage – To make it, simply brown and crumble the bulk sausage over medium heat. Be sure to allow it to really brown and get that deep brown color – that means flavor. Then, drain away any grease.
Cream Cheese – Any cream cheese will do, but I like the richness of the full-fat variety.
processed cheeses like Velveeta: I suggest cutting the cheese into chunks and putting them in the pot. It is much easier to melt the cheese when it is cut up like this. Just be sure to stir frequently, being cautious not to scorch.
Whole Kernel Corn – I suggest you just grab canned corn to save yourself some time. Be sure to drain it before you add it to the mixture.
Can of Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilis – You know the stuff… Rotel or Ro*Tel. You will want to drain these before adding to your mixture so your dip isn’t too watery.
Garlic Powder – I’m not partial to any brand. Whatever you have on hand will work just fine.
Sausage dip is a classic crowd-pleasing appetizer for any party or game day. It’s creamy cheesy and loaded with savory sausage – basically everything you could want in a dip. But like most dips, it’s typically served in a large batch, which often leaves plenty of leftovers.
So how long does sausage dip last after being refrigerated or frozen? Here’s a complete guide to storing leftover sausage dip to help it last as long as possible
How to Store Leftover Sausage Dip
Putting leftover sausage dip in an airtight container and putting it in the fridge right away after serving are the most important things you can do to keep it fresh. A dip that is exposed to air can dry out, and if you leave it out at room temperature for too long, bacteria can start to grow.
Here are some best practices for storing leftover sausage dip:
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Transfer dip to an airtight glass or plastic container, smoothing the top evenly. Plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface also works well. This prevents air from reaching the dip and forming a skin.
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Refrigerate dip within 2 hours of serving. Don’t leave sausage dip out at room temperature longer than a couple hours. Refrigeration helps slow bacteria growth.
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Use leftover refrigerated dip within 3-5 days. For the best taste and safety, eat leftover sausage dip that has been refrigerated within three to five days.
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Label container with date for easy reference. Marking when you made the dip helps track when it should be used by.
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Freeze for longer storage up to 3 months. Freezing is great for preserving dip even longer. Thaw overnight in fridge before using.
Following proper storage methods helps keep leftover sausage dip safe and tasty for days after making it. The refrigeration time may vary slightly depending on ingredients, but 3-5 days is typically recommended.
How to Tell if Leftover Sausage Dip is Bad
Sausage dip that’s gone bad will show signs of spoilage. Here’s what to look for:
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Mold growth – This is an obvious sign leftover dip has spoiled. Mold forms fuzzy or slimy spots and can be white, green, or black. Discard moldy dip.
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Sour odor – Refrigerated sausage dip slowly goes sour over time, giving off a distinct sour milk smell when it has spoiled.
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Change in texture – Separated oil or watery liquid oozing from the dip indicates it has gone bad. Dip may become slimy rather than creamy.
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Discoloration – While color can naturally dull over time, greyish or greenish hues signal the dip has spoiled.
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Strange flavors – An unpleasant or bitter taste usually means the dip has started to go bad. Safety is questionable once flavors become off.
When inspecting older sausage dip, it should still appear creamy in texture without separation or foul odors. Trust your senses – if anything seems off, play it safe and discard.
How to Freshen Up Leftover Sausage Dip
To restore leftover sausage dip to its original creamy, cheesy glory, try these tips:
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Reheat until warmed through, stirring frequently. Warming soggy refrigerated dip makes it smooth and spreadable again.
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Add a little milk or cream. The small addition of dairy can freshen up thickened dip leftovers after refrigeration.
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Adjust seasonings as needed. Sprinkling in more spices perks up flavors.
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Incorporate new ingredients. Mix in chopped veggies, cooked ground meat, or extra cheese for a flavor boost.
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Transfer to a slow cooker or fondue pot. Gently heating on low temp makes dip easy to serve again.
With a quick reheat or stir-in of extra ingredients, leftover sausage dip can taste nearly as good as the fresh original version.
How Long Does Sausage Dip Last in the Fridge?
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of just how many days sausage dip will last when properly stored in the refrigerator:
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3-5 days: Homemade sausage dips made with fresh ingredients like cream cheese, cheese, and raw sausage should keep 3-5 days refrigerated.
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5-7 days: Pre-made or shelf-stable sausage dips with processed cheeses may last 5-7 days refrigerated after opening.
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1 week: Adding preservatives like sodium citrate help extend refrigerated shelf life up to 1 week.
The reality is homemade sausage dip lasts 3-5 days at maximum quality when stored in the refrigerator. After that, it’s best to toss instead of risking possible foodborne illness. Always inspect leftovers and discard any with an off appearance or odor.
For prepared or bought sausage dips, check packaging for exact use-by dates. Typically 5-7 days refrigeration can be expected once opened.
No matter what ingredients are used, sausage dip won’t last forever. 3-5 days is the standard fridge life for homemade versions. Plan to enjoy leftovers within that timeframe for the best results.
Can You Freeze Sausage Dip?
Freezing is a great way to preserve sausage dip even longer than refrigerating. Here’s how to freeze dip:
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Allow dip to cool completely first. Hot dip can’t go straight into the freezer.
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Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers, removing excess air. Flat packs freeze and thaw easier.
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Label container with date and contents. Include any recipe or spice mix
Slow Cooker Method for Cheese Dip
If you choose to use a slow cooker, just brown the sausage and pour off the grease. Add the meat, cubed cheeses, drained tomatoes and corn, and garlic powder and cover. Put the slow cooker on low heat and stir occasionally until the cheeses have melted. Keep the dip on warm and serve with chips.
Velveeta Sausage Dip
FAQ
How long does Velveeta cheese dip last in the fridge?
How long are Velveeta and Rotel good for?
What is sausage dip made of?
Is rotel better with Velveeta or cream cheese?
How long can you keep sausage dip in the fridge?
If you can keep everyone from eating it all, you can store leftover sausage dip, covered well or in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven to warm it through before serving again. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 425°F. Meanwhile, cut 8 ounces cream cheese into 1-inch cubes.
How long does homemade sausage cheese dip last?
When properly stored in an airtight container, homemade sausage cheese dip can last for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. However, when preparing a large batch of dip, it’s a good idea to serve a portion at a time because any dip you leave out at room temperature for extended periods of time should be discarded.
How long does sausage cheese dip last in a slow cooker?
Put the slow cooker on low heat and stir occasionally until the cheeses have melted. Keep the dip on warm and serve with chips. How long will sausage cheese dip last in the fridge? When properly stored in an airtight container, homemade sausage cheese dip can last for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze sausage dip?
Storing: Leftover sausage dip keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air-tight container. Freezing: You can also make this dip in advance and have it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheating: Pop the refrigerated or frozen dip into the microwave and heat in 30-second intervals until melted and creamy. What is sausage dip made of?