Tillie Doyle
Little smokies, or cocktail weenies, are a classic snack that is easy to make and loved by all. This recipe involves simmering mini sausage links in a sweet, savoury barbecue sauce in a crockpot for a few hours. The sauce can be made with a variety of ingredients, including brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and even beer. The smokies are a great appetizer for parties and get-togethers and can be served with toothpicks or cocktail forks.
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients for cocktail weiners
Ingredients for Cocktail Wieners
Cocktail wieners are a great, easy-to-make treat that can be served as an appetizer or a satisfying snack. They are typically made by cooking mini sausage links in a slow cooker with barbecue sauce, resulting in a sweet, smoky, and salty flavour.
The ingredients required for this recipe are quite simple and flexible. Firstly, you will need the mini sausages or smokies, which are the star of the dish. These can be crafted from pork, beef, or even turkey. They are usually around two inches long and can be found in any grocery store. If you are unable to find these, you can use full-sized hot dogs or sausages and cut them into smaller pieces.
The other key ingredient is barbecue sauce. You can use a store-bought variety or make your own at home. Some recipes suggest adding a bottle of grape jelly to the barbecue sauce to create a unique, sweet and savoury taste. Additionally, you can enhance the flavour by adding ingredients such as brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. These additional ingredients can be whisked together with the barbecue sauce to create a delicious coating for your sausages.
Finally, you may want to serve your cocktail wieners with toothpicks or cocktail forks, depending on the occasion. This allows your guests to easily pick up and enjoy these tasty treats!
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How to make the sauce
To make the sauce for your cocktail wieners, you can either use a store-bought barbecue sauce or make your own. For a simple homemade barbecue sauce, whisk together barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder until well combined. Alternatively, for a sweet and sour sauce, whisk together chili sauce and melted grape jelly.
If you want a thicker sauce, you can blend cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the slow cooker before serving. You can also add beer to your sauce to loosen it up and adjust the thickness to your preference. The sauce can be made up to three days in advance and stored in the fridge.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for cocktail wieners in a crock pot varies depending on the desired temperature and level of doneness. Most recipes recommend cooking the sausages on low heat for 2-3 hours to ensure they are thoroughly warmed through. However, you can cook them for longer if needed or desired.
To ensure the sausages are cooked all the way through, it is recommended to cook them on low heat for at least 2 hours. This will ensure that the sausages are heated evenly and thoroughly. After the initial 2 hours, you can keep the crockpot on a warm setting to maintain the temperature of the sausages and sauce. This is especially useful when serving the dish at a party or gathering, as it allows guests to enjoy the dish throughout the event.
Alternatively, you can cook the cocktail wieners on high heat for a shorter period of time. Cooking on high heat for about 2 to 3 hours will yield similar results to cooking on low heat for a longer duration. This option is suitable if you are short on time or prefer a quicker cooking process.
It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the specific crockpot or slow cooker being used. Different models and brands may have varying temperature settings and heating capabilities, which can affect the overall cooking time. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the dish and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the desired level of doneness is achieved.
Additionally, the type of sausage used may also impact the cooking time. Cocktail wieners are typically made with a combination of pork, beef, or turkey. The cooking time may vary depending on the meat's density and fat content. For example, beef sausages may take slightly longer to cook compared to pork or turkey sausages.
In conclusion, the cooking time and temperature for cocktail wieners in a crockpot can be adjusted to suit your preferences and time constraints. The recommended cooking time of 2-3 hours on low heat ensures thorough cooking and a warm dish. However, you can also cook the dish on high heat for a shorter period or extend the cooking time on low heat for a longer period, depending on your needs and the specific crockpot being used.
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Serving suggestions
Cocktail wieners are a great appetizer option for parties, game days, potlucks, backyard BBQs, or any get-together. They are also perfect for gatherings with kids, as they are a hit with both children and adults.
You can serve these bite-sized wieners with toothpicks for guests to help themselves or use cocktail forks for a more elegant presentation. They can also be served directly from the crockpot, with a sprinkle of brown sugar on top. If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days and reheated on the stove or in the crockpot.
For a thicker sauce, you can blend cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the crockpot 30 minutes before serving. You can also adjust the spiciness of the dish by adding cayenne pepper to the sauce.
If you want to switch up the recipe, you can substitute BBQ sauce with chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or teriyaki sauce. Instead of brown sugar, you can use grape jelly for added sweetness. You can also add a dash of Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder for extra flavor.
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Recipe variations
There are several ways to customise the classic crockpot cocktail wieners recipe. Here are some ideas:
- Barbeque Sauce and Grape Jelly: Mix barbeque sauce and grape jelly in equal parts in the crockpot, add the cocktail wieners, and stir until they're well coated. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 to 3 hours. This variation adds a sweet and savoury twist to the classic recipe.
- Sweet and Sour: Instead of barbeque sauce, whisk together chilli sauce and melted grape jelly. Pour this mixture over the cocktail wieners and cook as directed. This variation adds a tangy flavour to the dish.
- Beer and Brown Sugar: Mix cocktail wieners with barbeque sauce and brown sugar in the crockpot. Add beer to the mixture a little at a time, stirring until you achieve your desired sauce consistency. This variation adds a unique flavour and makes the sauce thicker and more substantial.
- Custom Sauce: Get creative and make your own sauce from scratch! A basic sauce can be made by whisking together barbeque sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can adjust the proportions to your taste and even add extra ingredients to make it unique.
- Different Meats: While classic cocktail wieners are made with small sausages, you can easily substitute them with other types of meat. Try using cut-up hot dogs, turkey dogs, or beef sausage. This variation allows you to cater to different dietary preferences and can add a unique flavour to the dish.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cocktail wieners/sausages, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and grape jelly. Some recipes also include additional ingredients such as ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder.
It is recommended to cook the wieners on low heat for 2-3 hours. You can cook them for longer if needed, and you can keep the crockpot on warm after the initial cooking period to keep them hot.
Yes, the sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also make the cocktail wieners ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
These wieners make great appetizers and can be served with toothpicks or cocktail forks. You can also serve them with other snacks such as baked brie and potstickers.
Yes, you can use full-sized hot dogs or sausages cut into 2-inch pieces if you can't find cocktail wieners or prefer a different type of sausage.
