This quick and easy Little Smokies Recipe combines little smokie sausages in a sweet, tangy barbecue sauce with a hint of spice. They are almost impossible to stop eating and are always a huge party hit.
I love to serve them for movie nights, game days, potlucks, and patio parties or as a main course over white rice or mashed potatoes.
This savory recipe without the grape jelly is adaptable to a slow cooker, the stovetop, or the oven. It takes less than 5 minutes of prep time and is easily customizable to suit your taste.
Little smokies come in various flavors, including beef, pork, chicken, and turkey. They are available at most grocery stores year-round and make a fabulous, quick, and easy appetizer recipe. Grab a toothpick and enjoy. If you love these, you will also enjoy my recipe for pigs in a blanket.
Ingredients Notes and Substitutions
- Little smokies: beef, turkey, chicken, or pork
- BBQ sauce: I like spicy ones, but you can use your favorite
- Worcestershire sauce: for some flavor dimension
- Chili sauce: like sambal oelek for a little kick (this is optional)
Three Ways To Cook Them
- Crockpot: add the little smokies to the crock pot. Pour the rest of the ingredients into the crock pot and stir to combine. Cover and heat on low for 2-3 hours.
- Stovetop: add the little smokies to a skillet or saucepan. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Cook over low heat on the stove until the little smokies are glazed and warmed through or for about 20 minutes.
- Oven: add the little smokies to a baking dish. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until glazed and heated through.
Preparation Tips and Storage
- I like to use a Kansas City-style BBQ sauce with lots of spice and flavor, but you can use any BBQ sauce.
- Little smokies are available in several flavors, including beef, chicken and pork, turkey, and Polish smoked sausage. Our favorite is the chicken and pork, but they all taste good in this recipe.
- The chili sauce is optional but highly recommended. It gives the sauce a much-needed kick but is not overly spicy. The sweetness of the brown sugar and BBQ sauce tames it. Sriracha or hot sauce works as a good substitute.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave at reduced power.
Variations
- Sauce: swap out the sauce for your favorite sweet and sour sauce or try homemade sweet and sour sauce or homemade BBQ sauce.
- Meatballs: use frozen or homemade meatballs in place of the smokies
- Jelly: in place of the sauce ingredients, add one cup grape, peach, or cranberry jelly.
More Appetizer Recipes
Little Smokies Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 16 ounce packages little smokies
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-2 tablespoons chili sauce or sambal oelek optional
Instructions
- Crock Pot – add the little smokies to the crock pot. Add the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot and stir to combine. Cover and heat on low for 2 hours.
- Stovetop – add the little smokies to a skillet. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Cook over low heat until the little smokies are glazed and warmed through or for about 20 minutes.
- Oven – add the little smokies to a baking dish. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine. Bake in a 350-degree preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until glazed and heated through.
Notes
- I like to use a Kansas City style bbq sauce with lots of spice and flavor, but you can use any kind of bbq sauce.
- Little smokies are available in several flavors, including beef, chicken and pork, turkey, and Polish smoked sausage. Our favorite is the chicken and pork, but they all taste good in this recipe.
- The chili sauce is optional but highly recommended. It gives the sauce a little needed kick, but it is not overly spicy. The sweetness of the brown sugar and bbq sauce tames it.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave at reduced power.
Nutrition
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Colleen
This is a perfect appetizer to serve for the big game tonight! I know these little smokies will be a huge hit. Thank you.
suja md
This was really delicious and fairly simple to make!
Ashley
This recipe takes me back to my childhood! So delicious and addictive. These were the most popular dish at our potluck. Thanks for the great recipe!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Ashley!
Paula
We used to make these all the time when I was a kid, I’m so excited to share the recipe with my kids!
kushi
Love the combination of flavors here plus simple and easy to make. Thanks for the recipe.
Laura
Ooh these were delicious. My youngest loved them and wants me to make them again this weekend. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Laura!
Jupiter N
This is such a classic! Thank you for sharing your easy to follow recipe – it’s perfect for the holidays.
Elizabeth W
Little smokies are always delicious and great party food. Love the sauce for these smokies. It was the perfect combination of sweet and spicy! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Elizabeth.
Kevin
Great party food! I served them for a card game and guys loved them. I should have doubled the batch! Next time I will.
Jenny
So tasty and easy to make. My friends loved this recipe. I shared it with them so maybe the next time they could bring it to our cackle session.
Michelle
The combination of sweet and tangy barbecue sauce with a hint of spice was absolutely mouthwatering. They make a great party snack. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Michelle!
Melanie E
My kids loved this! The combo of sausages and BBQ sauce worked incredibly well together. They are a new family favorite.
Tammy
I’ve never had little smokies before actually but they sound and look SO delicious! I have to give this a go..perfect little appetizer for game day!