Tillie Doyle
Little Smokies are a classic, easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for parties and entertaining. They are miniature smoked cocktail sausages or cocktail wieners, usually made with pork or beef, and are fully cooked when purchased. To prepare Little Smokies in a crock pot, simply heat them through in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, with additional ingredients like brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce to taste. The entire process takes just a few hours, making it a convenient and tasty option for gatherings.
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What You'll Learn
Little smokies recipe ingredients
Little smokies are a classic, easy-to-make snack that is perfect for gatherings and parties. They are also known as cocktail sausages and can be purchased from well-known brands such as Hillshire Farm and Eckrich.
As little smokies are pre-cooked, they simply need to be heated up. This can be done in a variety of ways, including on the stovetop, in the oven, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker. For this recipe, we will be using a slow cooker to make a large batch of these delicious snacks.
The ingredients for this recipe include:
- Little smokies (cocktail sausages)
- Barbecue sauce
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Beer
Optional ingredients to add a kick of flavour include:
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Hot sauce
- Sriracha
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced chives
- Chopped cilantro
First, make the sauce by whisking together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. You can adjust the sauce to your taste by adding more brown sugar for sweetness or ketchup for tanginess.
Next, add the little smokies to the sauce and stir to coat the sausages. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on low for 2-4 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add more brown sugar, or add beer to loosen it up.
Once the little smokies are plump and heated through, they are ready to serve! You can keep them warm in the crockpot for several hours, and they are best served with toothpicks or cocktail forks.
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How to cook little smokies
Little smokies are a classic snack that are easy to make and adored by kids and adults alike. They are also known as cocktail sausages and are usually sold by well-known brands such as Hillshire Farm and Eckrich.
Little smokies are fully cooked, so there is no need to cook them. They just need to be heated through. You can heat them up on the stovetop, in the oven, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker. Here is a guide on how to cook little smokies in a crock pot:
Ingredients
- Little smokies (cocktail sausages)
- Barbecue sauce
- Brown sugar
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Beer (optional)
Instructions
- First, make the sauce by whisking together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- If you want to add beer, add a little at a time and stir to adjust the thickness of the sauce.
- Place the little smokies in the crockpot and pour the sauce over them, stirring to coat the sausages evenly.
- Cook on low for 2-4 hours or on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Once cooked, you can keep the little smokies on the "warm" setting until ready to serve.
Variations
You can customize the flavor of your little smokies by adding different ingredients:
- For a sweeter taste, add more brown sugar or honey.
- For more tang, increase the amount of ketchup.
- For extra umami, add more soy sauce.
- For a spicy kick, try adding buffalo wing sauce, hot sauce, sriracha, or crushed red pepper flakes.
- For a fruity twist, use apricot preserves or grape jelly instead of pepper jelly.
- For a smoky flavor, use Carolina-style barbecue sauce or strawberry barbecue sauce.
Garnish with cooked crumbled bacon, chopped parsley, sesame seeds, sliced chives, or chopped cilantro.
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How long to cook little smokies
Little smokies are miniature smoked cocktail sausages or cocktail wieners (pork or beef). They are usually fully cooked, so you only need to heat them through to infuse them with the sauces and flavors.
Little smokies can be cooked in a crockpot for 1 hour on high or 2-4 hours on low. It is recommended to cook them for at least 2 hours so that they are warmed all the way through, but they can be cooked for longer if needed. You can cook them on low for 2 hours and then keep the crockpot on the warm setting so that they stay hot throughout the whole party.
If you are using a larger crockpot, you may need to cook the little smokies for longer, as the sauce may burn on one side if the crockpot runs hot on one side. It is recommended to turn the crock a few times during the cooking time to ensure even heat distribution.
The sauce for little smokies can be made up to 3 days in advance. The smokies can be served straight from the crockpot or transferred to an appetizer bowl. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Little smokies sauce recipes
Little smokies are miniature smoked cocktail sausages that are usually fully cooked and only need to be heated through. They are a great appetizer option for parties and gatherings as they are easy to make and can be made in large batches. They are also a hit with both kids and adults.
BBQ Sauce, Grape Jelly, and Red Pepper Flakes
This sauce recipe uses BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and red pepper flakes for a sweet and savoury taste. You can also add brown sugar to enhance the sweet and savoury combination. The smokies are then slow-cooked in the crockpot.
BBQ Sauce, Brown Sugar, and Beer
For this sauce, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and beer. Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more brown sugar or beer according to your preference. You can cook the smokies on low for 2 hours and then keep them warm in the crockpot.
Sweet and Sour Sauce
For a sweet and sour sauce, whisk together chilli sauce with melted grape jelly. You can also use cranberry jelly or brown sugar instead. Pour the sauce over the smokies and cook as directed.
Barbecue Sauce, Brown Sugar, Ketchup, and Worcestershire Sauce
This sauce uses barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add onion powder and garlic powder for more flavour. Whisk the ingredients together, and then cook the smokies in the crockpot until they are warmed through.
Customizable Sauce
You can also customize your sauce by using different sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or orange juice. For a kick of spice, add buffalo wing sauce, hot sauce, Sriracha, or red pepper flakes. You can also add protein by using half frozen meatballs and half little smokies.
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Little smokies serving suggestions
Little smokies are a versatile appetizer that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:
Pigs in a Blanket
A classic way to serve little smokies is as pigs in a blanket. Simply wrap each sausage in a crescent roll and bake until the rolls are cooked through. You can serve these with a variety of dips, such as ketchup, mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Sweet and Savory
One of the most popular ways to serve little smokies is to combine them with sweet and savory flavors. This can be done by mixing barbecue sauce with brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup. You can also add in some grape jelly for an extra sweet touch. If you want to add a bit of spice, include some red pepper flakes, hot sauce, or sriracha.
Hearty Sides
Little smokies can also be served with heartier side dishes to make them a more substantial part of the meal. Potato salad, sweet potato fries, and pasta salad all pair well with the smokiness of the sausages. You can also try serving them with meatballs, either in a grape jelly or apple jelly sauce.
Light and Elegant
For a more elegant presentation, you can serve little smokies with cocktail forks. Garnishes such as cooked crumbled bacon or chopped parsley add a fancy touch. You can also serve them with toothpicks for a more casual gathering.
Customization
Little smokies are a great base for customization. You can try using different types of sausages, such as pork, chicken, or beef. If you can't find mini sausages, you can also cut up regular-sized sausages into bite-sized pieces. Additionally, you can adjust the sauce to your liking, making it thicker or thinner by adding more brown sugar or beer, respectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Little Smokies are miniature smoked cocktail sausages, also known as cocktail wieners or lil' smokies. They are usually made with pork or beef and come pre-cooked.
You will need Little Smokies, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar at the very least. You can also add in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and grape jelly for extra flavour.
It is recommended to cook Little Smokies on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 2-3 hours. You can also keep them on the keep warm setting during your party.
Little Smokies make a great appetizer or party snack and can be served with toothpicks or mini forks. They can also be served as a side dish with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Yes, you can make the sauce for Little Smokies up to 3 days in advance. You can also prep the Little Smokies in the crock pot the day before and reheat them quickly on the stovetop before your event.
