Crock Pot Little Smokies

Why This is the Best Recipe

I love using my slowcooker when I entertain but I think this is the best Crock Pot Little Smokies recipe because:

1. Quick & Easy: You just dump everything in and let it cook!
2. Bite Sized Fun: This is such a fun party nibble, guests can't resist them.
3. Not Too Spicy: My recipe has some heat but isn't too much. That said, if you want it even spicier, you can totally adjust the chili sauce.

Ingredients

This easy appetizer only needs a few ingredients to make:

• Cocktail Sausages: You may know these as "Lil Smokies" but there are other brands available, too. I found all-beef junior franks available during the holiday season at Costco.
• BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce, store bought or homemade. Choose a tomato-based bbq sauce rather than a mustard-based or white sauce.
• Ketchup
• Brown Sugar
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Garlic Salt
• Chili Sauce: See my notes on which one to choose below.

Which Chili Sauce to Use

You have two options for this last ingredient and they will alter the final taste of your dish.

Neither one is wrong, it just depends on your personal preference and which condiments you prefer to keep in the fridge.

1. Heinz Chili Sauce: If you want to use this condiment, you'll have a slightly sweeter recipe with hints of sweet peppers and a very mild bite.
2. Sambal Oelek: If you want to use Sambal Oelek like I did, you'll have a bit more heat, a little less sweetness, and a punchy tang. On it's own, this is a very spicy condiment but when stirred into the rest of the ingredients on this recipe, it definitely mellows out.

Stir the Sauce Together

First, measure the barbecue sauce and add it to the slowcooker bowl.

Then add the ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and your choice of chili sauce.

Stir everything together until smooth.

Cooking Instructions

Stir the cocktail sausages into the sauce until well coated.

Cover the Crockpot and cook on LOW for 3 hours.

Be sure to stir the sausages once or twice as they cook so they heat through evenly and the sauce doesn't stick to the bottom of the bowl.

Make Ahead Tips

The sausages are at their best the first time you cook them. To save time, you could mix together the sauce so you can just dump everything in before cooking.

That said, we did have leftovers and I gently reheated them in a saucepan on the stovetop and they tasted just fine the next day.

If you don't have time to cook them in the slowcooker for 3 hours before your party, you could prep them the day before and then just reheat them quickly on the stovetop and keep them warm in the crockpot during your event.

Serving Suggestions

These sweet and tangy little sausages are such a delicious and easy party appetizer to serve during an open house, a football party, or a lazy weekend with your family as a warm movie snack.

I love that you can keep them warm on the buffet table right in the slowcooker.

Simply leave a large serving spoon on a dish next to the Crockpot so guests can scoop them up themselves.

Otherwise, a container of party picks or toothpicks is a fun way to dish them up, too.

More Crockpot Party Recipes

Looking for more ways to use your slowcooker during a party? Don't miss these delicious recipes:

Sausage Cream Cheese Dip {Crock Pot or Skillet}

Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Crockpot

17 Crock Pot Sandwiches

Ultimate Crockpot Hot Chocolate Bar