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Looking for the ultimate party appetizer that’s as easy to make as it is irresistible to eat? These Crock Pot Little Smokies will have you swooning! Featuring plump cocktail sausages slowly simmered in a sweet-and-spicy sauce, these cocktail weenies made in the crockpot will have everyone begging for more. Best of all, you’ll need just 9 simple ingredients and 10 minutes of prep to make this recipe!
“Made these so many times and I’m LOVING the recipe, still! They’re so perfect for football season and summer potlucks! Thank you!!”
– KELS C
Update: This recipe was originally published in October 2018. I made updates to the post below to include more information about cooking cocktail wieners in the crockpot.
Hey there, friends. If you’re on the hunt for some epic game day grub or are looking for an appetizer for your next summer barbecue, this crockpot lil’ smokies recipe is for you! Scrumptiously saucy and perfectly plump, these bite-size cocktail weenies are perfect for every occasion—from holiday entertaining, backyard barbecues, potlucks, tailgating, and more:
Table of Contents
About these crock pot little smokies
Before we dive in, I feel like I must give you a fair warning—these crockpot cocktail weenies are insanely delicious! Think: shamelessly licking your fingers clean type of yum.
Picture: plump, juicy, perfectly-bite-sized little sausages in a silky-smooth sweet, spicy, slightly tangy, and beautifully-umami Asian BBQ sauce laced with red pepper jelly and infused with pungent garlic. Tender and packed with flavor, these little smokies are utterly scrumptious.
Bonus points: this crockpot little smokies recipe is ridiculously easy to make. I’m talking 10 minutes of hands-on prep—simply dump everything into the crockpot, cover, and voilà!
Easy and effortless to make thanks to the trusty crockpot, these cocktail sausages are perfect for potlucks, game days, backyard BBQs, and holiday entertaining. But honestly, you can even devour these lil’ smokies for dinner. No judgement here—I happen to think a big ole’ bowl of spicy, smoky, and sweet cocktail wieners alongside some French fries makes the perfect girl (or boy) dinner. 😉
If you love all things sweet and spicy, check out these delicious recipes next: hot honey salmon recipe, honey garlic shrimp recipe, and chipotle honey chicken recipe.
Why you’ll love this recipe!
- Effortless to Prepare. Get all the flavor with a few basic ingredients and without spending hours in the kitchen! You’ll need just 10 minutes of hands-on preparation, and then the crock pot does all the work for you.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors.This crockpot cocktail weenie recipe is delightfully flavorful—sweet, spicy, savory, tangy, and smoky, all wrapped up in one irresistible bite.
- Family-Friendly. Lil smokies are a snack everyone will rave about and they’re loved by kids and adults alike.
- Customizable. You can easily adjust the flavor to your liking. Dial up or down the spicy heat, make them more sweet, or add a little more savory—the world is your figurative oyster.
- Great for All Seasons. Whether it’s a chilly winter day, a sunny picnic, a summer BBQ, or a fall game day, this recipe for crockpot lil smokies is perfect for any time of year.
Ingredients for this lil smokies crock pot recipe
Bursting with flavor, fool-proof, and ridiculously easy to throw together, these sassy little sausages are sugar, spice, and everything nice! Here’s what you’ll need for this crockpot cocktail weenie recipe:
- Little Sausages: Grab your favorite variety of lil’ smokies. Each flavor is going to give you different results and they are all pretty tasty.
- Pepper Jelly: Found in the jelly aisle or at your local farmers’ market, pepper jelly is sweet and spicy. It’s the perfect addition to this little smokies recipe.
- Garlic: It’s best to use fresh garlic and mince it yourself. It will give the little sausages a more robust flavor.
- Ketchup: Helps to thicken the sauce and adds a little bit of sweetness. The tomato base adds a fun zestiness to the cocktail weenies too.
- Soy Sauce: You can use traditional soy sauce or go for lower sodium if you are trying to cut back on your salt intake.
- Brown Sugar: That deep sweet flavor comes from brown sugar and honey. They are a tasty combination that will leave you begging for more.
- Honey: You can use your basic store bought honey or pick it up locally at a farmers’ market. It’s hard to beat fresh honey!
- Sriracha: This is where you will get a jolt of heat! This lil’ smokies recipe is pretty versatile so you can add more or less depending on your preferences.
- Sesame Oil: Filled with antioxidants and bold flavor, sesame oil takes this lil smokies crock pot recipe to the next level.
Recipe variations
- Chili Sauce Cocktail Sausages. If you prefer more sweet and tangy than sweet and spicy, swap out the jelly out and use Thai chili sauce instead.
- Apricot Little Smokies. If you’re looking for a fruity, tropical twist, swap the pepper jelly and use apricot preserves instead.
- Grape Jelly Lil Smokies. Prefer more sweet to spice? Swap the pepper jelly for grape jelly.
- BBQ Cocktail Weenies. And if you prefer more smoky flavor, opt for this recipe for Carolina barbecue sauce or your favorite bbq sauce recipe. Or take things in a fruity, smoky direction with strawberry bbq sauce or peach sriracha BBQ sauce.
Chef expert tips for perfect results every time
- Low and Slow. The key to perfectly plump and juicy little smokies is to cook them on low heat for a lengthy period of time. This helps the cocktail sausages to absorb the sweet and spicy sauce while also becoming super tender.
- Stir Occasionally. Make sure to stir the cocktail weenies about halfway through to ensure even cooking and to evenly distribute the sauce.
- Double Up for Crowds, But Don’t Overcrowd Crockpot. This recipe is super easy to scale up—or down! Just ensure you’re using a large enough crock pot and it isn’t overcrowded. You want the sausages to cook evenly.
- Don’t Overcook Little Sausages. Cocktail weenies are already cooked, so you just need to warm them through. Keep an eye on the time—4 hours on low or 2 hours on high—to avoid overly soft sausages.
- Adjust the Sauce to Your Specific Taste. If you prefer your smokies on the sweeter side, add more brown sugar or honey. For more tang, up the ketchup, and for more umami, increase the soy sauce.
- Keep Warm. Once the sausages are cooked, set your crock pot to “warm” to keep the little smokies perfectly warm until ready to serve.
- Garnish It Up. Garnishes are the easiest way to make a dish your own and to amp up the flavors. A generous scattering of sesame seeds, sliced chives, and chopped cilantro will take your weenies to the next level of yum.
Step by step photos: making this recipe at home
If you’re looking for the detailed measurements and full recipe instructions for this crockpot cocktail weenie recipe? Please scroll down to the bottom of the page.
FAQs: frequently asked questions
You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can!
What are little sausages?
Little sausages are called many names, such as little smokies, lil’ smokies, or cocktail weenies. They are sausages made from different cuts of meat that are blended together and placed inside a casing.
There are many different varieties of little smokies, ranging from turkey or beef, to bacon and cheddar and more! The best part is that you can make this little smokies recipe with just about any variety you love or want to try.
Are little smokies fully cooked?
Yes, little smokies cocktail sausages are already fully cooked. You are just reheating them and infusing them with sweet, spicy, savory, and umami flavors.
Where are little smokies sausages in the grocery store?
Most major grocery stores carry cocktail weenies and you can find them in the refrigerator aisle along with the cold cuts and hot dogs. But, if your local grocer doesn’t carry them, you can purchase them from an online retailer, such as Amazon.
Can cocktail sausages go bad?
Unfortunately, mini sausages are a perishable food and they can go bad.
Once opened, packages of cocktail sausages typically keep in the refrigerator for 1 week. If you are looking for longer-term storage, you can freeze them for up to 1-2 months.
Can I use regular sausages instead of lil smokies?
Sure! You can use regular sausages or even hot dogs. Just make sure you cut the sausages into generous bite-size pieces (similar in size to little sausages) and follow the recipe, cooking as directed.
How do I make this recipe spicier?
If you love things spicy-hot (me too!), simply add more sriracha hot sauce or incorporate some red pepper chili flakes into the sauce. Or, consider adding diced jalapeño peppers or Serrano peppers to the recipe.
What are the best garnishes to use?
Garnishes and toppings are the easiest way to make a dish your own. Below are a few garnishing ideas to inspire:
- Sliced Green Onions: Make thin slices and sprinkle on top right before serving. Adds a pop of color.
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted or untoasted, sesame seeds add to the presentation and taste great too.
- Cilantro: If you want to add some fresh herbs to the smokies, chopped cilantro is a great option. Cilantro is vibrant in both color and flavor.
- Jalapeños: Lean into the spicy angle and garnish your lil smokies with thinly sliced candied jalapeño for sweetness or pickled jalapeños for tang.
Say hello to your new favorite appetizer—this crockpot cocktail weenie recipe! With the ideal blend of sweet, spicy, tangy, and savory flavors, I know they’re gonna be the star of your next culinary show. So, grab your slow cooker and get ready to wow, friends.
Until next time, cheers!
Cheyanne
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Crock Pot Little Smokies
Equipment
- 1 Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 1 (10 ounce) Jar Red Pepper Jelly
- 2 cloves Garlic – minced
- 1 Cup Ketchup
- ¼ Cup Soy Sauce
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
- 3 TBS Honey
- 2-3 TBS Sriracha
- 1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
- 3 (12 ounce) Packages Cocktail Sausages (also called Little Smokies) (SEE NOTES)
Optional Garnishes: Sliced Green Onions, Sesame Seeds, Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Combine Sauce Ingredients in Crockpot: To the bowl of a crockpot or slow cooker, combine the red pepper jelly, minced garlic, ketchup, soy sauce, sugar, honey, sriracha, and sesame oil. Grab a whisk and vigorously stir the ingredients together until fully combined.
- Add Little Smokies: Dump the little smokies sausages into the crock pot and then stir to combine.
- Cover and Cook Little Sausages: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, or until the cocktail sausages are warm throughout. Change the heat setting on your crockpot to WARM and keep the little sausages warm until ready to serve.
- Serve Cocktail Weenies: Serve the Little Smokies from the crockpot with toothpicks and napkins on the side. Or, transfer the cocktail weenies to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro. Enjoy while warm!
Video
Notes
- Amount of sausages to use: If you like your cocktail sausages to be super saucy, you can use 2 (16 ounce) packages instead of 3 (12 ounce) packaged. So you have an idea of the amount of sauce, I used 3 packages in the photographs shown here.
- Storage: These honey sriracha little smokies can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1-2 months. To reheat the little smokies in sauce, allow them to defrost overnight in the refrigerator if frozen, and reheat either on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave until fully heated throughout.
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Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
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Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can!
Nutrition
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Rachel
My husband was in heaven and he really loved the sweet and heat sauce. Can’t wait to make them again 🙂
Cheyanne Holzworth
Hi Rachel,
I’m honored you decided to try this recipe for little smokies and absolutely thrilled to hear they went over well! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review. 🙂
Cheers,
Cheyanne
Patty
Hi. I could only find green pepper jelly. Will that be an issue or effect the taste much?
Cheyanne
Hi Patty,
It shouldn’t effect the consistency at all, but the color of the final sauce may be different. As for the taste, yes it will taste slightly different. I’m not sure what green pepper jelly you purchased, but red pepper jelly is typically made with red bell peppers, so it has a slightly sweeter flavor. If you purchased green pepper jelly made from jalapenos it will be slightly smokier in flavor. I’ve never made this with green pepper jelly, but you should be fine.
Cheers,
Cheyanne
Kels C
Made these so many times and I’m LOVING the recipe, still! They’re so perfect for football season and summer potlucks! Thank you!!
Nic
Perfect for game day (or any day!) and a great flavor variation on traditional smokies!
Hope
These literally disappeared so stinking fast! And so easy!! Definitely making these for all my game day parties! Thanks