Slow Cooker Little Smokies

Whip up the best appetizer for game day or any party with these Slow Cooker Little Smokies, effortlessly cooked in a Crockpot with a savory sweet sauce. These juicy cocktail weenies are a quick and simple snack, perfect for serving with a honey mustard dipping sauce that elevates every bite.

This lil smokies recipe is a great appetizer for any party or event you host. It’s the type of recipe where you just add everything to the slow cooker, give it a good stir, and let it heat up! It’s one of my favorite ways to cook mini sausages. I love slow cooker appetizers. Letting the slow cooker do all the work frees up my time for other things. 

The easiness isn’t the only thing you’ll love – the flavor is out of this world, too! One taste and they will become your favorite snack or appetizer. And if you aren’t a huge fan of the ingredients I used, change them up! Use your favorite BBQ sauce to make this cocktail weenie recipe. Keep reading, and I’ll share a bunch of ways that you can adjust and customize BBQ little smokies. 

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Little Smokies

• Crowd Pleaser. This Crockpot Little Smokies recipe is perfect to serve on New Year’s Eve, at holiday parties, or even a Super Bowl party. 
• Easy Recipe. Add everything to the slow cooker and heat it for 2-3 hours. It is that easy! 
• Easy to change. The simple sauce is easy to make spicier, sweeter, smokier – adjust the ingredients. 
• Delicious snack. As the cocktail wieners cook, the sauce infuses into the meat, making the flavors burst in the best way. 
• Classic Recipe. It’s the best thing to serve at all of your family gatherings.

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

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This easy recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.

Little Smokies 

• Cocktail Smokies: The little smoked sausages are the base of the recipe. 
• Brown Sugar: This sweetens the sauce while adding deeper, caramelized notes. 
• Concord Grape Jelly: The full flavor of Concord grapes works so well with the BBQ sauce and savory sausages. 
• BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite flavor of tangy barbecue sauce; they will all taste delicious with the Crockpot smokies.  

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

• Mayonnaise: This makes the sauce creamy, tangy, and easy to dip. 
• Dijon Mustard: Use your favorite brand of Dijon mustard for the honey mustard sauce. 
• Honey: Sweeten the dipping sauce with honey to balance the robust flavors of the mustard. 

How to Make Slow Cooker Little Smokies

• Step One: Add smokies, brown sugar, grape jelly, and BBQ sauce to the bottom of a five or 7-quart slow cooker. Gently toss well with a large serving spoon until ingredients are well distributed.
• Step Two: Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-½ – 3 hours. Stir and mix the smokies periodically.

• Step Three: Just before the smokies have completed cooking, prepare the honey mustard dipping sauce. Combine all ingredients and mix well with a fork. Keep inside the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Step Four: Serve smokies as an appetizer using toothpicks and your honey mustard dipping sauce.

Equipment Needed

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• Rubber Spatula: You’ll use this to stir the sauce and scrape the sides of the slow cooker. 
• Slotted Spoon: A slotted spoon helps you scoop out the sausages without taking too much sauce. 
• Slow Cooker: You’ll need a six-quart slow cooker for this appetizer. 

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Little Smokies

These Crock Pot Little Smokies are a delicious appetizer. Serve them with your favorite snacks and appetizers.   

• Grape Jelly Meatballs
• Tangy, Sweet, and Sour Meatballs
• Pigs In A Blanket
• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
• Pico De Gallo and Chips

Variations and Substitutions

• Use chili sauce instead of BBQ sauce. This will make it a bit spicier. 
• Apple jelly instead of grape jelly. Apple jelly is a bit sweeter, so you might have to adjust how much brown sugar you use. 
• Add a bit of spicy brown mustard to the dipping sauce. This will make the sauce spicier. 
• Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the cocktail weiners. This will make the lil smokies a bit less sweet. 
• Use maple syrup instead of brown sugar. You won’t have to add as much maple syrup, and it will have a brighter flavor. 
• Serve with different dipping sauces (listed below). I’ll share some of my favorites. 

Storage Instructions 

Store your cooked Lil Smokies in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can freeze them, too! Store the sausages in a freezer-safe container and keep them frozen for up to six months. 

Slow Cooker Little Smokies Tips and Tricks

• Use a slow cooker liner to make clean-up easier.  
• Stir frequently to prevent the sauce from sticking to the slow cooker.
• Transfer the Little Smokies to a serving dish before serving them to guests. 
• Don’t overcook the Little Smokies. 
• Taste as you go. Add a little bit of brown sugar and see how it tastes. This simple recipe is easy to change. 

Are Little Smokies Already Cooked?

Just like other types of smoked sausage, Lil Smokies are pre-cooked. Any recipe that uses Lil Smokies will require you to heat them before serving them. 

How To Tell When They Are Done 

Since Lil Smokies are pre-cooked, you can tell when they are done and when they are as warm as you want them to be. Pick one out and take a bite, or use an instant-read food thermometer to test the temperature. 

How To Reheat 

The best way to reheat Lil Smokies is in a skillet over low heat. If you heat them on medium heat, they might burn a bit. You can heat them in the microwave, too, but I suggest stirring them frequently to help them heat evenly. 

Are Cocktail Weenies the Same As Little Smokies? 

There are a lot of different names for Litle smokies. They are called cocktail weenies, cocktail sausages, and even little sausages. Hillshire Farm is the most popular brand that produces them.  

Are Hot Dogs The Same As Little Smokies? 

No, they are not the same thing. Most varieties of hot dogs are made with a combination of beef and pork. Little Smokies are made with just pork. 

How To Serve

Serve crockpot Lil Smokies on a serving tray with either toothpicks or forks for your guests. Even though it’s optional, set out some bowls of dipping sauces with the sausages. They taste delicious without a dipping sauce, but the honey mustard sauce in this recipe is so tasty and fun! 

Dipping Sauces

Serve the little smokies with your favorite dipping sauces. Make a teriyaki sauce with a combination of soy sauce and brown sugar. They will also taste delicious with a tangy BBQ sauce on the side or a spicy sauce. You can even make a homemade BBQ sauce. 

Here are some more of my favorite dipping sauces: 

• Big Mac Sauce 
• Yum Yum Sauce
• Chili Cheese Dip

Stovetop Instructions 

You can make them on the stove, too. Mix all the ingredients in a large pot or Dutch Oven. Heat over low heat for 30 – 45 minutes, stirring frequently. When they are heated through, turn down the heat to simmer and cover with a lid. 

How To Make Less Sweet 

There are a few different ways to make them taste less sweet. The easiest way is to use less brown sugar. You can also make it with sugar-free grape jelly. Or, look at the type of BBQ sauce you’re using and see if it is sweetened. If it is, utilize an unsweetened BBQ sauce. 

Can I Use Hot Dogs Instead?

Yes, you make this recipe with hot dogs. To use hot dogs, slice them into one-inch pieces and mix them with the rest of the ingredients. You might want to adjust the cooking time because the hot dogs will heat up quickly. 

FAQ

Easy Appetizers       

Want to make more delicious party foods? Here are some easy appetizer recipes that you’ll love. 

• Buffalo Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
• Pinwheels with Crescent Rolls
• Stuffed Bacon Rolls
• Air Fryer Pasta Chips

You’ll also like Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket.

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