Little Smokies in the Crockpot

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Little Smokies in the Crockpot are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s easy to whip up and packed with flavor. They are a delicious blend of sweet and tangy, featuring a mouthwatering sauce made with BBQ, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and lager beer. Perfect for game day, parties, or any casual gathering, this recipe is as simple as tossing everything in the crockpot and letting it simmer to perfection. In just a few hours, you’ll have a warm, flavorful dish that’s sure to be a hit with everyone.

This lil smokies recipe is perfect for a game day appetizer and best of all, features a homemade sauce full of flavor. The sweet and tangy sauce for little smokies will have everyone going back for seconds. If serving a crowd, go ahead and double this recipe from the start – I promise you won’t regret it!

When hosting a party for game day or gathering to entertain guests, this recipe is a go-to along with my Roasted Tomato Dip featuring creamy mozzarella and crusty baguette slices. Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders is also an irresistible appetizer that impresses everyone.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Hands-off Cooking: Simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it cook with minimal effort.
Flavorful Sauce: Unlike other little smokie recipes, this one features a homemade sauce with simple ingredients that is sure to impress.
Perfect for Crowds: This crowd-pleasing appetizer stays warm and ready to serve all day thanks to the crockpot. No need to devote time to reheating throughout the party.

What You’ll Need for Crock Pot Little Smokies

Little smokie sausages – you can find a package of little smokies at your local grocery store, typically in the refrigerated deli or meat section by other sausages, hot dogs and lunch meats.
BBQ sauce – any brand works great so choose depending on preference.
Ketchup
Brown sugar – for a stronger flavor, I recommend dark brown sugar over light.
Vinegar
Worcestershire sauce
Garlic & onion powder
Lager style beer optional – the alcohol in the beer will evaporate during cooking, leaving behind a rich and flavorful sauce.

How To Make Little Smokies

STEP ONE: Combine the sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the bbq sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and onion powder. If you’re using beer to elevate the flavor of the sauce, pour it in at this step as well. Whisk all the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth.

STEP TWO: Prep the smokies. Add the little smokie sausages to the crockpot. Stir in the sauce to fully coat all the sausages with the mixture.

up close of lil smokies in a slow cooker

STEP THREE: Cook. Cover the crockpot with its lid and set to your desired cooking temperature. Cook on high for 2-4 hours or low for 4-6 hours. Stirring occasionally can help prevent sticking. When the smokies are fully heated and the sauce has thickened, it is ready to serve. Keep them warm in the crockpot on the “warm” setting if serving for a party.

How To Serve This Lil Smokies Recipe

Crockpot little smokies are great on their own as an appetizer, but you can certainly serve with toothpicks, alongside other apps like vegetable platters, chips, crackers and fruit skewers. You can also set up a selection of dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard or extra barbecue sauce to enjoy with the smokies.

Recipe Tips

Taste the sauce before serving this lil smokies recipe. Don’t be afraid to adjust the sweetness or acidity by adding more brown sugar, vinegar or spices to suit your preferences.
Consider using a slow cooker liner for easier cleanup. These disposable liners can help the sauce from sticking to the sides and they make washing the crockpot a breeze.
Little smokies in the crockpot is hands-off but giving the sausages a gentle stir every hour or so can help keep them well-coasted in the sauce and heated thoroughly.
If you enjoy a hint of heat, choose a spicy barbecue sauce instead of a sweet or vinegar-based bbq.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pre-cook little smokies before adding to the crockpot?

No, pre-cooking is not necessary. You can add directly to the slow cooker with the sauce and let them heat through.

Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute lil smokies with other types of sausages such as sliced kielbasa, bratwurst or even a vegetarian sausage option.

How to prep for a crowd?

You can double or triple the recipe if your crockpot has enough capacity. Be mindful that the cooking time may need to be adjusted if additional ingredients are added. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. On the other hand, if serving to a small group or family, consider prepping in a mini crockpot to save counterspace.

Storage Instructions

In the Refrigerator: store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.

In the Freezer: you can also freeze cooked little smokies. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they can be stored for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

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