Tillie Doyle
Little Smokies are a classic crowd-pleasing appetizer that is easy to make and adored by kids and adults alike. They are miniature smoked cocktail sausages or cocktail wieners (pork or beef) that are usually fully cooked, so all you need to do is warm them up and let them marinate in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. You can also add brown sugar, grape jelly, or cranberry jelly to sweeten the sauce. They are perfect for parties and entertaining as they are tasty and fun to eat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of ingredients | 3 |
| Main ingredients | BBQ sauce, grape jelly, mini smoked sausage links |
| Alternative ingredients | Brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, honey, maple syrup, hot sauce, sriracha, buffalo wing sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, chilli sauce, sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce |
| Type of dish | Appetizer or side dish |
| Type of cuisine | American |
| Cook time | 1-3 hours |
| Cook temperature | High or low |
| Storage | Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days |
| Reheating | Reheat in the microwave, crockpot, oven or on the stove |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients and preparation
Little smokies are miniature smoked cocktail sausages or cocktail wieners, made with either pork or beef. They are usually pre-cooked, so you just need to warm them up and let them marinate in the sauce.
For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- Little smokies
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ketchup
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
Optional ingredients include:
- Grape jelly
- Mustard
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Spices (buffalo wing sauce, hot sauce, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes)
First, make the sauce by whisking together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can make this sauce up to three days in advance.
Next, open two packages of little smokies and place them in the crockpot. Pour the sauce over the sausages and stir until they are well coated.
Cook the smokies on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 2-3 hours. You can also cook them on low for 2 hours and then keep the crockpot on the warm setting. The longer you cook them, the better they will be.
You can serve the little smokies straight from the crockpot with a spoon and toothpicks, or transfer them to an appetizer bowl. They are perfect for parties and entertaining, as they are tasty and fun to eat.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time for lil smokies in a crock pot varies depending on the temperature setting. On high, it takes approximately 1-3 hours for the sausages to be warmed all the way through. If you are cooking on low, the recommended time is 2-3 hours. You can also cook lil smokies on the stove top in a saucepan, which will take around 20 minutes.
It's important to note that lil smokies are typically sold pre-cooked, so the purpose of heating them in a crock pot is to warm them up and allow them to absorb the flavours of the sauce. Therefore, the cooking time is flexible, and you can cook them for longer if needed. To ensure the lil smokies are ready to serve, make sure they are plump and heated all the way through.
To reheat lil smokies, you can use a stove, crock pot, oven, or microwave. In the microwave, heat them for 1-2 minutes until warmed through. In the oven, warm them for a few minutes. On the stove, cook them until warmed through.
When storing lil smokies, they can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. For longer storage, they can be frozen in a covered container. To reheat frozen lil smokies, thaw them overnight and then use one of the methods mentioned above.
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Serving suggestions
Lil smokies are a great appetizer option for any occasion, from game day to potlucks and get-togethers. They are a hit with both adults and kids and can be served in multiple ways.
If you're serving lil smokies as an appetizer, toothpicks are a great way to let guests help themselves. You can also use cocktail forks for a more elegant presentation. Serve them straight from the slow cooker to keep them warm throughout the party, or transfer them to an appetizer bowl.
For a more filling meal, lil smokies can be served with a side salad and creamy mashed potatoes or rice and roasted vegetables. You can also serve them with mac and cheese.
If you want to switch things up, try bacon-wrapped lil smokies in the oven with various dips on the side, such as sweet, mustard, or BBQ sauce. You can even swap out the lil smokies for frozen meatballs.
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Storing and reheating leftovers
Storing and reheating lil smokies is simple and convenient. If you have any leftovers, allow the sausages to cool before storing them. It is recommended to store lil smokies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. They can also be frozen for longer-term storage, up to 3 months, in a freezer-safe container.
When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, simply reheat them until warmed through. You can use a microwave, stovetop, or even the crockpot again! If reheating in the microwave, heat them for 1-2 minutes or until warm. For the stovetop, cook in a pot over low heat until warmed through. Similarly, you can place them back in the crockpot and heat until they reach your desired temperature.
It is important to note that lil smokies are fully cooked sausages, so the reheating process is primarily about warming them up and infusing them with the flavors of your chosen sauce. Whether you're reheating on the stovetop or in the crockpot, the sausages will continue to absorb the sauce and become even more flavorful.
So, if you're planning to enjoy your lil smokies over multiple days or want to prepare them in advance, rest assured that storing and reheating them is a breeze. Just follow the recommended storage and reheating guidelines, and you'll be able to enjoy your tasty lil smokies again and again!
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Recipe variations
Lil smokies are a great, simple dish to make in a crock pot, and there are plenty of ways to change up the recipe to suit your tastes.
Firstly, you can switch up the type of lil smokies you use. While the classic option is to use pork or beef cocktail sausages, you can also use frozen meatballs, or even half sausages and half meatballs for a unique snack option. If you want to avoid the crock pot altogether, you could try wrapping your smokies in bacon and cooking them in the oven.
Secondly, you can change the sauce. The most common sauce for lil smokies is a combination of BBQ sauce and brown sugar, but you can replace the brown sugar with grape jelly for a sweeter taste. You could also try adding in a squeeze of ketchup, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, or onion powder. If you want to move away from sweet sauces altogether, you could try a chili sauce, sweet and sour, or teriyaki sauce.
Finally, you can add extra ingredients to your sauce to give it a kick. Try adding some hot sauce, sriracha, or red pepper flakes if you like your food spicy. You can also add a little mustard to your sauce, or serve it with a variety of dips on the side, such as BBQ sauce, mustard, or sweet dips.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need lil smokies (miniature smoked cocktail sausages), barbecue sauce, and grape jelly. You can also add in brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce.
It is recommended to cook lil smokies in a crock pot for 1-2 hours on high or 2-3 hours on low. Make sure the sausages are warmed all the way through and plump.
You can serve lil smokies straight from the crock pot with a serving spoon and toothpicks for guests to help themselves. You can also transfer them to an appetizer bowl. It is recommended to serve lil smokies with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping.
