This little smokies recipe made in the slow cooker is a fan favorite and perfect for game days and parties. It’s a simple dump-and-go recipe that requires not even 5 minutes of hands-on prep!
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“Love the flavor of this recipe! I did add cornstarch in the end just to thicken the sauce and it was perfect!” -Lisa, FoodieCrush reader
Zero Effort, 5-Ingredient Little Smokies Everyone Adores
I always feel like a star when I put little effort into a recipe and people go crazy.
These drunken little smokies are a great example of this. They’re the ideal party magnet and are perfect for game day or holiday parties, right up there with pigs in a blanket, French bread pizza, and my shrimp cocktail.
Everyone loves these slow cooker cocktail weenies because they’re sweet, savory, saucy, and easy to serve to a crowd. I like to make them because they’re easy to prep, flip the switch, and pretty much ignore until it’s time to serve.
Heidi’s Tips for Recipe Success
- Brown sugar is best. I don’t recommend using granulated sugar in place of brown sugar, as brown sugar’s caramel-y flavor pairs better with the bbq sauce.
- Sweeten to your personal tastes. I add ½ cup brown sugar to the little smokies sauce to amp up its sweet flavor. If you don’t like your little smokies to be too sweet, scale back the amount of sugar you use.
- Don’t forget the serving utensils. Be sure to have a serving spoon in the slow cooker so that guests can easily serve themselves. A stash of clean toothpicks to eat these cocktail weenies with also makes for less cutlery to clean after the big game.
You’ll Need Just 5 Ingredients
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
- Cocktail sausages — There’s a variety of cocktail weiners out there. Turkey. Beef. Sausage. And combos of them all. I chose traditional pork sausages but also threw in a package of cheddar-stuffed weiners for a little once-in-a-few-bites surprise.
- BBQ sauce — A basic store-bought barbecue sauce is the base for this sauce, so I choose a quality, honey-sweetened version to lend the smoky, sweet flavor.
- Brown sugar — Adds sweetness to the BBQ sauce (you could use maple syrup instead if you wanted).
- White vinegar — Adds tang and a puckery punch. I don’t use apple cider vinegar because it comes off a little too strong.
- Beer — I like using a lager for this. Choose something lighter in flavor.
Heidi’s Tip: The alcohol from the beer cooks out of the cocktail sausages, but if you’d rather not add the beer, add the same amount of water or sparkling cider in its place.
How to Make Little Smokies in a Slow Cooker
- Let your slow cooker do all the work. This game day appetizer couldn’t be simpler! Just add everything to your slow cooker, pop the lid on, and let the mini cocktail weenies cook on high for 2 to 3 hours until warmed through.
- Keep them warm and party on. Once cooked, turn the heat to “warm” to keep the little smokies warm all afternoon.
Heidi’s Tip: I used my 7-quart CrockPot® to make this appetizer. I like it for its locking lid so I can transport the whole dish to potlucks or parties without spills.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Slow Cooker Little Smokies Recipe
Ingredients
- 56 ounces mini cocktail sausages (four 14-ounce packages)
- 16- to 18- ounces honey-flavored barbecue sauce
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 12 ounces beer (I recommend using a lager)
Instructions
- Place the sausages in the bowl of a slow cooker. Add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and beer and stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or until the sausages are warmed through.
- Lower heat and keep warm to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Slow Cooker Appetizers You’ll Love
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip
- Slow Cooker Sriracha Meatballs
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (perfect for making sliders!)
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Kate
Would you be able to make this in an instant pot too???
YEs you could do them in an Instant Pot. I haven’t tried it so I can’t give you exact times though. Sorry!
Lisa
Love the flavor of this recipe! I did add cornstarch in the end just to thicken the sauce and it was perfect!
Hayley
We’re so glad you enjoyed these, Lisa!
Patrick
I take the little smokies with cheddar cheese and add them to my baked beans and mix it up and bake in a casserole dish At 375 for about 30 minutes or till hot and bubbly, Mmmm!!! I use large cans of Bush beans, whatever flavor you prefer I use maple and brown sugar or the one with onionS!!! Enjoy
Shahin Parvez
I am always searching for quality posts & articles & this is what I found here, I hope you will be adding more.
Mary Bellersen
Actually, I have never tried this with smokies, but have used the grape jam/chile sauce mixture to cook meatballs for cocktail parties, etc. They are yummy. Bet your little smokies were too. Still think the recipe with the beer and barbecue sauce sounds good and would be a welcome addition to a picnic or cookout.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
So many options!
James Goacher
I have NEVER seen that many Cocktail Sausages in any one (Cooking space).
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Delicous and perfect for Super Bowl Sunday!
Tami
Are you taking about white wine vinegar ?
Oliver Lily
I this sauce. The sauce will be more tasty if you increase it liquidity. Thanks for your recipe.
Michelle
Delicious & super easy! Thanks for sharing!
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Thanks Michelle!
Miraz
To the people who aforesaid the sauce was too skinny, I agree.
All I did was add some corn starch to thicken the sauce.
It over up well likeable by my friends.
Cstring
These were ok but I was disappointed in how thin the sauce turns out… the sauce doesn’t stick to the little sausages in making them sorta blah when eating them …..
BroDren
I have a 7 Qt crockpot. Can I double this recipe in that size pot?
I think you should be fine in that size!
Patrick
To the people that said the sauce was too thin, I agree.
All I did was add some corn starch to thicken the sauce.
It ended up well liked by my friends.
Christina
Patrick, did you add corn starch in the crockpot before, during, or after? Plus, did you mix the corn starch first with water (or another liquid) then dump it in there or just straight into the crockpot? Thanks in advance.
Von
I used to make somewhat the same thing back in the 70’s. A package of smokies or cocktail franks, a small jar of apple jelly, and a small jar of ketchup. An easy dump and heat appetizer. I never had any left.
Harriet
We made this using Grape jelly instead of Apple. Delicious!
Christy
I have to agree with the previous review. The sauce turned out too way thin for our liking. It had a watery consistency. Way too thin to coat the little smokies. None of us cared for it. We like a sauce that is thicker. Think bbq sauce consistency, I would halve the vinegar and beer, or not use the beer at all. It also needs more seasoning and flavor. Sorry, this was a fail.
Miss B
I did not like this. The sauce was very thin and a very liquidity consistency so it did not coat the smokies. It’s not like the little smokies I’m used to which are cooked in a thicker sauce of ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and spices that coat the smokies nicely. I felt the sauce was too soupy, probably because of so much liquid with the beer.
Pattie
If you don’t want to use beer or root beer. What can be used in its place.
crem pemutih terbaik
nice food if i test that, how can i get that ? i want it very much
Dave Kessler
Can I use a smallet amount of regular sized hot dogs
Dave, I don’t see why not! I would cut them up into smaller chunks so they flavor well. Enjoy!
Jenna
What size crockpot did you use?
BBJ
Wow, I like, I like!