Tiffany Haney
Little Smokies are miniature smoked cocktail sausages, usually made from pork or beef. They are a popular appetizer at parties and during the holidays, and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in the oven, microwave, or slow cooker. When cooking Little Smokies in a crock pot, the process is simple and involves combining the sausages with a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Appetizer |
| Main ingredient | Little smokies (miniature smoked cocktail sausages) |
| Other ingredients | Barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, grape jelly, red pepper flakes |
| Number of ingredients | 3 |
| Preparation time | A few minutes |
| Cooking time | 1 hour on high, 2-3 hours on low, or 3 hours on low |
| Total time | 1-3 hours |
| Equipment | Crockpot, slow cooker, stove, oven, microwave |
| Nutrition | 335 kcal, 28g carbohydrates, 10g protein, 21g fat, 7g saturated fat, 48mg cholesterol, 741mg sodium, 268mg potassium, 1g fiber, 24g sugar, 131IU vitamin A, 1mg vitamin C, 31mg calcium, 1mg iron |
| Serving suggestions | Toothpicks, side salad, mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 4 days, freeze in an airtight container |
| Reheating | Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stovetop until warm, crockpot, or oven at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Lil smokies come fully cooked, so only need to be heated
Lil smokies are miniature smoked cocktail sausages, usually made from pork or beef. They are often sold pre-cooked, so you only need to heat them up before serving.
There are several ways to heat up lil smokies, including using a crockpot or slow cooker, which is a popular choice due to its convenience. To heat lil smokies in a crockpot, simply add the desired number of sausages to the pot and stir them with barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and other seasonings of your choice. You can also add other ingredients like grape jelly and red pepper flakes for a unique flavor profile. Once the sausages are coated, cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until they are heated through.
The amount of time needed to heat lil smokies in a crockpot can vary depending on the desired temperature and the number of sausages being cooked. On average, it takes about 1-3 hours to heat lil smokies in a crockpot on low heat. If you are short on time, you can also cook them on high heat for about an hour.
Aside from using a crockpot, you can also heat lil smokies in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave. To heat them in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the sausages in a shallow baking dish for 12-14 minutes. For stovetop cooking, add the lil smokies to a pot with 2-3 inches of boiling water and simmer for 2-4 minutes. If using a microwave, the heating time will depend on the microwave's wattage. As a reference, heating five lil smokies in an 1100-watt microwave on high for 20-25 seconds should be sufficient.
No matter which heating method you choose, lil smokies make a great appetizer or party food. They are easy to prepare and can be served with a variety of sides, such as a side salad, mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
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Warm lil smokies in a crock pot or slow cooker
Warming lil smokies in a crock pot or slow cooker is a simple and effective way to prepare this dish. It is a "set it and forget it" type of recipe, so the slow cooker does all the work for you. Lil smokies are miniature smoked cocktail sausages, usually made from pork or beef, and they are typically sold pre-cooked.
To warm lil smokies in a crock pot, first open and place two packages of the sausages in the pot. You can use any brand of lil smokies. Next, add your chosen sauce to the pot. A classic combination is barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, stirred together with the sausages until they are well coated. You can also add ingredients like grape jelly and red pepper flakes for a sweeter or spicier flavor.
Once the sausages and sauce are in the crock pot, simply leave them to cook. The length of cooking time depends on the temperature setting. For a faster cook, set the crock pot to high and leave the sausages for around an hour. For a slower cook, set the pot to low and leave the sausages for 2-3 hours. If you are preparing the dish in advance of a party, you can keep the crock pot on the warm setting after the initial cooking time, so the lil smokies stay hot.
Lil smokies can also be heated through other methods, such as in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave, but the crock pot or slow cooker is a convenient way to prepare and serve this dish with minimal effort.
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Combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce
To make lil smokies in a crock pot, you'll need to combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. This sauce forms the flavourful base of the dish. You can also add extra ingredients to the sauce, such as ketchup, onion powder, and garlic powder, or grape jelly and red pepper flakes.
Begin by adding the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce to the crock pot and stirring them together. You can adjust the quantities of each ingredient to your taste, but aim for a balance of sweet and tangy flavours. The brown sugar will add a rich, sweet taste to the smokies, while the Worcestershire sauce will bring a savoury, tangy kick.
Stir the ingredients until they are well combined and you have a thick, glossy sauce. You can make this sauce up to three days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.
Once your sauce is ready, it's time to add the lil smokies. These are miniature smoked cocktail sausages, usually made from pork or beef, and they are typically sold pre-cooked. Open the packaging and place the desired amount of lil smokies into the crock pot.
Stir the sausages gently until they are evenly coated in the sauce. Make sure all the smokies are well covered to ensure consistent flavour and a mouthwatering experience with every bite.
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Add lil smokies and stir until coated
Once you've combined your BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce in the bottom of your crockpot, it's time to add the lil smokies. These are miniature smoked cocktail sausages, typically made from a blend of pork, turkey, or beef. You can also use beef or pork cocktail wieners. Add as many as you need for your guests—this recipe is easily scalable!
Give the crockpot a good stir to ensure the sausages are coated. You want each one to be covered in the sauce so they can absorb all the flavors as they cook. If you're using frozen lil smokies, make sure they've thawed first. You can do this by leaving them overnight, or for a few hours before you start cooking.
At this stage, you can also add some extra ingredients to customize the flavor to your taste. If you like a little kick, try adding some hot sauce, buffalo wing sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes. You could also add some crushed garlic or onion powder for extra flavor.
Once you've stirred the sausages and they're coated, you're almost ready to start cooking. This recipe is very hands-off, so it's perfect if you're preparing lots of dishes or want to spend time with your guests while the smokies cook.
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Cook on low for 2-3 hours or until ready to serve
Once you've combined all the ingredients in your crockpot, it's time to cook your Lil Smokies. Set your crockpot to low and let the smokies cook for 2-3 hours. You can leave them for up to 3 hours on the low setting, stirring them occasionally. This will ensure they are heated all the way through and will allow the flavours to develop and infuse.
The sausages will plump up as they absorb the sauce, so you will know they are ready when they look plump and have a glossy, sticky appearance. You can also check by tasting one—it should be hot all the way through. If you are in a hurry, you can cook them on high for 1-2 hours, but be careful as they may burn.
Once they are cooked, you can switch your crockpot to the warm setting to keep them hot and ready to serve throughout a party or gathering. You can also make the sauce in advance and refrigerate it for up to three days, so the sausages are quick to prepare when you need them.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 1-2 hours to cook lil smokies in a crock pot on high heat. On low heat, it will take 2-4 hours.
You should cook lil smokies in a crock pot on a low heat setting.
You will need lil smokies, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar or grape jelly. Some recipes also include Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and ketchup.
First, combine the barbecue sauce and other ingredients in the crock pot. Then, add the lil smokies and stir until they are coated in the sauce. Finally, cook on low heat for 2-4 hours or on high heat for 1-2 hours.
Yes, you can make lil smokies in a crock pot in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat them on the stove or in the crock pot before serving.
