Little Smokies: Slow-Cooked, Big Flavor

how to cook little smokey

Little Smokies are a tasty and fun snack that can be cooked in a crock pot. They are miniature smoked sausages, usually made from a blend of pork, turkey, or beef, and are fully cooked when purchased. To prepare them, simply heat them in a crock pot with your choice of sauce. The most popular sauce recipes include barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and grape jelly. You can also add in a squeeze of ketchup or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour. The smokies are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a side, and they are perfect for parties, game days, or any special occasion.

Characteristics Values
Number of ingredients 3
Type of dish Appetizer
Main ingredients Little smokies, BBQ sauce, grape jelly
Additional ingredients Brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, ketchup
Cook time 1-3 hours
Cook temperature Low
Cook method Crock pot/slow cooker
Leftovers storage time 3-7 days
Leftovers storage container Airtight container

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Little smokies ingredients

Little smokies are miniature smoked sausages, typically made from a blend of pork, turkey, or beef. They are usually fully cooked, so you only need to heat them up in the crockpot.

The ingredients for the little smokies in the crockpot recipe are quite simple and versatile. The three main ingredients are:

  • Little smokies (miniature smoked sausages)
  • BBQ sauce
  • Grape jelly or cranberry jelly

You can use your favourite store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own. For a sweeter taste, you can add brown sugar, and for a tangier flavour, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce. If you like your food spicy, you can also add some hot chili sauce or paprika.

Some recipes suggest adding in some ketchup, onion powder, and garlic powder to the sauce for extra flavour. You can also experiment with different types of jelly or even try using chilli sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or teriyaki sauce instead of BBQ sauce.

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Sauce preparation

To make the sauce for Little Smokies, you can use a variety of ingredients, depending on your taste preferences. The most common base for the sauce is BBQ sauce, which can be store-bought or homemade. You can also add grape jelly or chili sauce to the BBQ sauce for extra flavour. If you want to make the sauce sweeter, you can add brown sugar, with light or dark brown sugar working well. Additionally, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for a tangy flavour.

For a more savoury sauce, you can add in some garlic powder, onion powder, and ketchup. Alternatively, you can use sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, or sweet and spicy barbecue sauce. If you like your sauce with a kick, add a splash of hot chilli sauce.

To prepare the sauce, simply whisk or stir all the ingredients together in a bowl until they are well combined. You can make this sauce up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

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Cooking time

The cooking time for Little Smokies in a crock pot varies depending on the quantity of sausages you are cooking, the power of your crock pot, and your desired temperature. However, on average, you can expect to cook Little Smokies in a crock pot for anywhere between 1 hour to 3 hours.

If you are in a hurry, you can cook the sausages on high heat for 1 to 1.5 hours. This will ensure they are warmed all the way through and ready to be devoured.

For a slower cook, you can leave the sausages on low heat for 2 to 3 hours. This will allow the flavors of the sauce to really infuse with the sausages, resulting in a richer, more flavorful dish.

Additionally, if you are using a stovetop, you can simmer the sausages for 20 to 30 minutes on low heat until they are warmed through.

It is important to note that Little Smokies are typically sold pre-cooked, so the purpose of heating them in a crock pot is to allow them to marinate in the sauce and reach your desired temperature. Therefore, depending on your desired level of warmth and flavor absorption, you can adjust the cooking time accordingly within the above-mentioned ranges.

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Serving suggestions

Little Smokies are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or side at a party, potluck, or get-together, or as a main course for dinner. They are a great option for game day or New Year's Eve, and they are perfect for feeding a crowd. Here are some specific serving suggestions:

As an Appetizer or Side

Little Smokies can be served straight from the slow cooker, with a serving spoon and toothpicks or mini forks for guests to help themselves. Alternatively, they can be served in an appetizer bowl, with toothpicks for easy eating. If you're serving them at a party, they can be paired with other snacks and small appetizers or party foods.

As a Main Course

Little Smokies can be served as a main course for dinner. They go well with a side salad and creamy mashed potatoes or rice and roasted vegetables. If serving with rice, try instant pot white rice with teriyaki vegetables. For a comforting meal, serve them with mac and cheese.

For a Crowd

Little Smokies are a great option when you need to feed many people with minimal prep work. They can be made ahead of time and kept warm in the crockpot for up to 2 hours, making them convenient for parties or gatherings.

For a Healthy Option

To add some extra nutrition to your meal, consider serving Little Smokies with a veggie tray on the side.

For a Hearty Meal

For a more substantial meal, try serving Little Smokies with bacon or bacon-wrapped smokies on the side.

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Storage

Storing your little smokies is straightforward. If you have leftovers, you can store them in a covered or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, simply use the stove or crockpot, or even the microwave for 1-2 minutes. You can also warm them up in the oven.

If you want to freeze your little smokies, allow them to cool, then place them in a covered container or freezer bag and freeze. When you're ready to enjoy them again, just thaw and reheat.

The sauce for your little smokies can also be made up to three days in advance, so if you're preparing for a party or gathering, you can get a head start on your prep.

Frequently asked questions

You will need Little Smokies (miniature smoked sausages), BBQ sauce, and grape jelly. You can also add brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder.

It is recommended to cook Little Smokies on low heat for 2-3 hours. You can also cook them on high heat for 1.5 hours.

Little Smokies can be served as an appetizer or side dish. They go well with roasted vegetables, pretzel bites, potatoes, rice, or mac and cheese.

Yes, the sauce for Little Smokies can be made up to 3 days in advance. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 5 days.

You can use a mini crock pot or any size crock pot from 4 quarts to 7 quarts. It is recommended to use a crock pot liner for easy cleanup.

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