Little Smokies are plenty tasty on their own, but just wait until you try slow cooking them in this sweet and tangy sauce. Barbecue sauce, grape jelly, and hint of sriracha make these little weenies burst with juicy flavors.
Everything you could want in an easy appetizer for parties or tailgating is found in this scrumptious recipe. Serve with a side of potato salad for the perfect tailgating meal!
What are Little Smokies?
You might know these little guys as cocktail sausages or cocktail weenies. Little Smokies are miniature smoked pork sausages that are found in the refrigerated meat section of most grocery stores. They are as easy to prepare as hot dogs. You can boil, fry or microwave them. Or, as in this recipe here slow simmer them in a tasty sauce in a crockpot and serve hot.
Because they are bite-sized, they make perfect appetizers. They also make an easy dinner or lunch tucked inside mini slider buns or over rice.
How to Make Little Smokies
If you love no-fuss recipes, then you’ll love Little Smokies. There’s no prepping to speak of unless you count tearing open a couple of packages!
- Toss everything into the slow cooker.
- Set on low and cook for 2 – 3 hours.
The sauce will thicken and produce a sticky sweet and sour like glaze on the sausages that is so yummy.
Stove Top
Add all ingredients to a saucepan and cook on low for about 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
Variations
- Apple jelly or even marmalade or cranberry sauce can substitute for the grape jelly with equally good results.
- Swap out bbq sauce for ketchup or chili sauce.
- Trade little smokies for cooked meatballs (or add both!). This recipe works with chopped hot dogs or smoked sausage as well.
- Swap out the sauce for store bought or homemade sweet and sour sauce.
What to Make With Little Smokies
Just like in pigs in a blanket, these little smokies go well with all kinds of bread served as little sliders. The sauce is a sweet and sour type sauce so it’s also great over rice.
Leftovers?
Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to four months. Store in tightly covered containers or freezer bags.
Reheating is easy in the microwave or oven, with no need to thaw in advance. As the saying goes, good things come in small packages, and that’s definitely true with these Little Smokies.
Meaty Appetizers Perfect for a Party
- Sausage Balls – easy, cheesy & oh so delicious!
- Cheeseburger Stuffed Meatballs – ultimate tailgating snack!
- Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies – ready in 30 minutes
- Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers – spicy & cheesy!
- Brown Sugar Bourbon Little Smokies – classic appetizer
- Pigs in a Blanket – just 2 ingredients
- Grape Jelly Meatballs – easy slow cooker recipe!
Slow Cooker Little Smokies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 packages little smokies 16 ounces each
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- 1 teaspoon sriracha optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small slow cooker.
- Cook on low 2-3 hours.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer
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I had to come back and leave another review, this time based on a variant you mentioned. When I made this for my Thai family using the recipe as written, it was liked but family said it needs a lot more chili taste to it. So yesterday I made this with chili sauce and orange marmalade, and it is brilliant! The family raved about this, and a niece took the small amount of leftovers to work this morning. 10 stars for the original recipe, 15 stars for the chili sauce variant. Thanks, Holly, for the great recipe.
So happy this recipe was such a hit for you, Lee!
One of the best ever smookies recipe i have ever tried so far. Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us. Also do check out my special smookies recipe as well.
I made this dish yesterday (family loved it) and served as a main dish with pinwheels and vegetables. This is actually my first time making the sauce with grape jelly, and that is absolutely brilliant. Thank you, Holly, for the quick and tasty recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it Lee!
I have made sweet/sour or bbq cocktail weiners and little smokies many times, but my recipe is: equal parts of ketchup and grape jelly. It gets compliments every time and I’ve even had requests for my bbq sauce recipe!!
Little smokies look great
Totally disappointed. Won’t be rushing these again any time soon! Thankfully I only purchased 1 pkg of the cocktail weiners!
I am sorry to hear that, SF! This recipe is a personal favorite of my family, along with this easy grape jelly meatball recipe.