Cody Casey
Little smokies, also known as lil smokies or cocktail wieners, are mini pork sausages that can be cooked in a crockpot. They are a great appetizer for parties or sports events and are a hit with both kids and adults. The recipe is simple: combine barbecue sauce, grape jelly, and mini smoked sausage links in a crockpot and cook on low heat for 2-4 hours. You can also cook them on high heat for 1.5-3 hours. The sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance and the smokies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Appetizer or side dish |
| Ingredients | Little smokies, cocktail sausages, mini pork sausages, BBQ sauce, grape jelly, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder |
| Crockpot liner | Recommended for easy clean-up |
| Cook time | 2-4 hours on low heat or 1.5-3 hours on high heat |
| Serving suggestions | Toothpicks, slider buns, mashed potatoes, rice, mac and cheese, potato wedges, roasted veggies |
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What You'll Learn
Little Smokies recipe
Little Smokies are a classic snack that is easy to make and adored by kids and adults alike. They are a great appetizer for any party or gathering. Here is a simple recipe for Little Smokies using a crock pot:
Ingredients:
- Two packages of little smokies (cocktail sausages)
- Your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce or make your own
- Brown sugar (light or dark)
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
Optional ingredients:
- Grape jelly or apricot jelly
- Liquid smoke or hickory barbecue sauce
- Bacon
- Maple syrup, honey, or orange juice
- Buffalo wing sauce, hot sauce, Sriracha, or red pepper flakes
Method:
- Place a crockpot liner in the crock pot for easy cleanup (optional).
- Place the little smokies into the crock pot.
- Make the sauce by whisking together the ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Pour the sauce over the little smokies.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours or on high heat for 1.5 hours.
- Stir and serve with toothpicks or cocktail forks.
Tips:
- You can make the sauce up to 3 days in advance.
- Little smokies are pre-cooked, so they just need to be warmed all the way through and plump.
- You can add a sweetener like maple syrup or honey instead of brown sugar.
- For a kick of spice, add buffalo wing sauce or hot sauce.
- Try using half frozen meatballs and half little smokies for a unique twist.
- For a sweet and sour version, whisk together chili sauce and grape jelly instead of barbecue sauce.
- For a more elegant presentation, use cocktail forks instead of toothpicks.
- Garnish with cooked crumbled bacon or chopped parsley.
For a different take on Little Smokies, try wrapping them in bacon and coating them in brown sugar before baking in the oven. These can be arranged on skewers and served as a tasty appetizer.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for wieners in a crock pot varies depending on the desired level of doneness and the specific model of the crock pot. However, on average, it takes around 2 to 4 hours to cook wieners thoroughly in a crock pot.
For those who prefer their wieners well done and warmed all the way through, it is recommended to cook them on low heat for at least 2 hours. This slower cooking method ensures that the wieners are heated evenly and thoroughly. If you're in a hurry, you can cook the wieners on high heat for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This will yield similar results, but the wieners may not be as tender and juicy as those cooked on low heat for a longer period.
It's worth noting that crock pots can vary in terms of heat settings and cooking efficiency. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check on your wieners periodically and use a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached the desired internal temperature. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking pork products like wieners to an internal temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C).
Once the wieners are cooked, you can keep them warm in the crock pot by switching it to the "warm" setting. This is especially useful when serving them at parties or gatherings, as it ensures that your guests can enjoy warm wieners throughout the event.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that wieners can be cooked in various ways in a crock pot. They can be simmered in a sweet and savory barbecue sauce, creating a delicious glaze. Alternatively, you can experiment with different sauces and flavors, such as adding brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, or garlic powder to create unique taste profiles.
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Ingredients
The ingredients you will need for this recipe are fairly straightforward. The base of the dish consists of little smokies, cocktail wieners, or cocktail sausages. These can be purchased pre-packaged and pre-cooked, making them a convenient option for this recipe.
The sauce that coats these mini sausages is a combination of barbecue sauce and grape jelly. You can use your favourite store-bought barbecue sauce or make your own homemade version. For a simple approach, combine a bottle of barbecue sauce with a jar of grape jelly. However, if you want to elevate the flavours, you can try using different types of barbecue sauce, such as cherry BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce, or pineapple brown sugar BBQ sauce.
To add a tangy twist to the sauce, you can include additional ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, onion powder, garlic powder, or hot sauce. These ingredients will enhance the flavour profile of the dish.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can also experiment with add-ins like cooked and crumbled bacon, or even replace the sausages with meatballs or a combination of both.
Remember, this recipe is versatile, so feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
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Serving suggestions
Slow cooker wieners are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main dish. Here are some serving suggestions for your crockpot wieners:
As an Appetizer
- You can serve them with toothpicks for easy finger food at a party.
- For a more elegant presentation, use cocktail forks instead of toothpicks.
- They can be served directly from the crockpot to keep them warm throughout the party.
- If you want to change up the sauce, try a sweet and sour combination by mixing chili sauce with grape jelly.
- For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a teaspoon of cornstarch to the recipe.
As a Main Dish
- Serve the wieners over mashed potatoes, rice, or homemade mac and cheese.
- Offer them as mini sandwiches by placing them in slider buns.
- For a side dish, potato wedges or roasted vegetables would pair well.
- If you want to add more protein, use meatballs in addition to or instead of the wieners.
- For extra texture and flavor, mix in some cooked and crumbled bacon.
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Storing and reheating
Leftovers from your slow cooker should be cooled to room temperature before placing them in the fridge or freezer for storage. This should be done within two hours of finishing cooking. Do not put the hot crockpot insert directly into the fridge or freezer. Instead, store the food in a separate container in the fridge or freezer.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container. They can also be frozen. If you have leftover wieners, allow them to cool completely and place them in a freezer bag. When ready to serve again, thaw the wieners and then reheat.
Reheat leftovers on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish to 165°F. Do not reheat food in a slow cooker. It can take too long for the food to come up to a safe temperature. After bringing your leftovers to a safe temperature in the microwave or on the stovetop, you can transfer them back to the slow cooker to keep them warm for up to two hours.
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Frequently asked questions
Wieners should be cooked in a crock pot for at least 2 hours on low heat so that they are warmed all the way through. You can cook them for longer if needed—up to 4 hours in total.
You will need wieners, barbecue sauce, and grape jelly. Some recipes also call for brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder.
First, place a crock pot liner in your crock pot for easy cleanup. Then, place your wieners inside and pour the grape jelly and barbecue sauce over them. Stir everything together, and cook on low for 2-3 hours or on high for 1.5-2 hours.
Wieners cooked in a crock pot make a great appetizer and can be served with toothpicks or slider buns. They can also be served as a main dish with mashed potatoes, rice, mac and cheese, or roasted vegetables.
