Tiffany Haney
Little smokies are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that can be made in a crockpot. They are mini cocktail sausages cooked in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. The recipe is simple and only requires a few ingredients. The sausages are usually cooked for around 2-3 hours on low heat in the crockpot and can be kept warm for several hours. The sauce can be made in advance and the smokies can also be prepared ahead of time and reheated. This dish is a classic party appetizer that is easy to make and can be customised with different sauces and spices to suit individual tastes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to cook | 2-3 hours |
| Time to reheat | 1-2 minutes |
| Temperature | Low |
| Sauce | BBQ sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, grape jelly, hot sauce, honey, orange juice, buffalo wing sauce, sriracha, red pepper flakes, sweet chilli sauce, maple syrup |
| Sausages | Mini sausages, cocktail sausages, beef smokies, pork sausages |
| Serving suggestions | Toothpicks, cocktail forks, rice, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, wedges |
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What You'll Learn
How to make a sweet and tangy sauce
Little smokies are a classic snack that is easy to make and loved by all. They are a great appetizer for parties, game days, potlucks, and patio parties. The best part is that they can be made in a crockpot, slow cooker, stovetop, or oven. The ingredients are simple and easily customizable to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Ketchup
- Chili sauce
- Brown sugar
- Dijon mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Smoked paprika
- Liquid smoke
- Water
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions:
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add onions and saute until translucent and fragrant.
- Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
- Stir in ketchup, chili sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke.
- Add water and stir until combined.
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Add in the little smokies and simmer until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency. Remember that the sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- When ready to serve, plate the little smokies using a slotted spoon and garnish with fresh parsley.
You can also try different variations of this recipe by adding ingredients such as maple syrup, honey, orange juice, buffalo wing sauce, hot sauce, Sriracha, or red pepper flakes to give it a kick. You can even use half meatballs and half little smokies for a unique twist.
The sauce for this recipe can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Little smokies are typically served with toothpicks or cocktail forks. Enjoy!
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How long to cook lil smokies on the stove
Little smokies are a classic snack that are easy to make and loved by all. They are mini cocktail sausages that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including on the stove.
To cook lil smokies on the stove, simply combine the sausages with your choice of sauce in a saucepan and simmer for 20 minutes or until warmed through. You can also cook them in a pot on the stove until warm. The smokies are pre-cooked, so you just need to heat them up and let them marinate in the sauce.
There are many different sauces you can use for your lil smokies. A popular option is a combination of BBQ sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. You can also add grape jelly to this mixture for a sweeter taste. Other sauce options include chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or teriyaki sauce.
You can serve lil smokies with toothpicks or cocktail forks. They are a great appetizer for parties or a simple weeknight dinner when served with rice, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, or wedges. They are also a hit at game day parties and football parties.
Leftover lil smokies can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, you can use the stove, crockpot, or microwave.
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How to prep lil smokies the day before
Preparing lil smokies the day before is a great way to save time and effort on the day of serving. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prep lil smokies in advance:
Choose your ingredients
Firstly, gather your ingredients. The classic lil smokies recipe calls for three main ingredients: mini smoked sausages, barbecue sauce, and grape jelly. However, feel free to customise the flavours to your liking. For example, you can add red pepper flakes for heat, use maple syrup or honey instead of brown sugar, or try using half frozen meatballs and half lil smokies for a unique twist.
Prepare the sauce
In a crockpot, whisk together your barbecue sauce, grape jelly, and any additional seasonings or sweeteners of your choice. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own barbecue sauce and grape jelly from scratch. This sauce can be made up to three days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Cook the sausages
Combine the sauce with the mini smoked sausages in the crockpot. You can also use regular sausages cut into bite-sized pieces, but avoid cutting them into coins if serving to young children. Cook the sausages on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and plump. If you're short on time, you can cook them on the stovetop in a saucepan for about 20 minutes.
Store and reheat
Once the lil smokies are cooked, let them cool and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to four days. When you're ready to serve, simply reheat them in the crockpot, on the stovetop, or even in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Serving suggestions
Lil smokies make great appetizers or party snacks. Serve them with fancy toothpicks or mini forks, and provide a variety of dips or sauces for your guests to enjoy. You can even wrap them in crescent roll dough or bacon and sprinkle on some everything bagel seasoning for an extra special treat.
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How long to keep lil smokies in the fridge
Little smokies are a classic snack that can be cooked in a crockpot. They are easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste. While little smokies come pre-cooked, they need to be warmed all the way through and allowed to plump up in the crockpot. This can be done on low heat for 2 hours, and they can be kept on the warm setting for up to 2 hours after that.
Now, regarding how long to keep lil smokies in the fridge, it is important to note that these products usually have a "Use by" date and an "Opened-use within 7 days" label. This means that the product is recommended to be consumed within 7 days of opening, and it should be safe if handled properly and there is no noticeable spoilage. However, it is always recommended to cook them thoroughly before eating, regardless of the storage duration.
In general, cooked sausages can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. However, this duration can vary depending on factors such as salt content, how soon they are refrigerated, and the temperature of the fridge. It is always important to use your senses to evaluate if the sausages are still safe to eat. If they smell okay, don't feel slimy, and show no signs of mold, they are most likely safe to consume.
To extend the shelf life of lil smokies, proper handling and storage are crucial. After cooking, allow them to cool and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Additionally, if you plan to keep them for a few days, reheating them to 165°F can help ensure their safety and freshness.
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How to reheat lil smokies
Lil smokies are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer. They are also known as mini pork cocktail sausages. They can be cooked in a crockpot, on a stovetop, or in an oven or microwave. The best part about these sausages is that they come pre-cooked, so all you need to do is heat them up!
To reheat lil smokies, you can use a crockpot, stovetop, or microwave. If you are reheating a large batch, a crockpot or stovetop is ideal. For smaller portions, you can simply use a microwave. Here are the detailed instructions for each method:
Reheating Lil Smokies in a Crockpot:
If you have made lil smokies ahead of time and stored them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, you can easily reheat them in the crockpot. Simply place them in the crockpot and set it to low heat. You may need to add a small amount of water to thin out the sauce. Keep the sausages covered and stir them occasionally to ensure even heating. The sausages will be ready when they are plump and warmed all the way through.
Reheating Lil Smokies on a Stovetop:
To reheat lil smokies on the stovetop, place them in a saucepan or pot and heat them over medium heat. You can add a small amount of water to the pan to prevent sticking and help steam the sausages. Stir or turn the sausages occasionally to ensure even heating. The sausages will be ready when they are warmed all the way through.
Reheating Lil Smokies in a Microwave:
For smaller portions or individual servings, the microwave is a quick and convenient option. Place the desired amount of lil smokies in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until they are warmed to your liking.
Remember, lil smokies are best enjoyed when they are heated evenly and plump. You can serve them with toothpicks or mini forks, and they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook little smokies in a crock pot for at least 2 hours to ensure they are warmed all the way through. You can also cook them for longer if needed or keep the crockpot on warm.
You can cook little smokies on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1-1.5 hours.
Little smokies are pre-cooked, so you are just heating them through and letting them marinate in the sauce. They are done when they are warmed all the way through and piping hot.
Yes, the sauce for little smokies can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
