BBQ Little Smokies

BBQ Little Smokies are bite-sized cocktail sausages coated in a thick, sticky barbecue sauce that balances sweetness, smoke, and a little tang. They are the kind of appetizer guests can grab with a toothpick while still leaving room for everything else on the table.

This version uses chicken or turkey cocktail sausages instead of traditional pork or beef varieties. The sauce is made with barbecue sauce, grape jelly, Dijon mustard, and a few simple seasonings, giving you more flavor than the basic two-ingredient version without making the recipe complicated.

You can prepare everything in a slow cooker for hands-off entertaining or cook the sausages quickly on the stovetop when you need an appetizer in less than 30 minutes.

What This Recipe Tastes Like

These little sausages are smoky, sweet, tangy, and slightly savory. The barbecue sauce provides most of the smoky tomato flavor, while grape jelly melts into the sauce and gives it a glossy, sticky texture.

Dijon mustard and Worcestershire-style sauce keep the glaze from tasting overly sweet. A small amount of garlic powder and smoked paprika makes the finished sauce taste more balanced and homemade.

The sausages remain juicy inside while the outside becomes coated in a thick barbecue glaze. They are tender rather than crispy, making them easy to eat with toothpicks or small appetizer forks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Uses only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients.
• Takes about five minutes to assemble.
• Can be cooked in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.
• Stays warm for several hours during a party.
• Easy to double for a larger gathering.
• Uses chicken or turkey cocktail sausages.
• Can be prepared ahead and reheated before serving.
• Requires no chopping or complicated preparation.

Best Occasions to Serve This

BBQ Little Smokies are especially useful when you need a warm appetizer that does not require constant attention. Serve them for:

• Game-day parties
• Holiday gatherings
• Birthday celebrations
• Family movie nights
• Potlucks
• Graduation parties
• Casual backyard gatherings
• New Year’s Eve
• Super Bowl parties
• Weekend snacking

They also work well as part of an appetizer spread with chicken wings, sliders, dips, meatballs, vegetable trays, and baked finger foods.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Choose the Right Cocktail Sausages

Look for fully cooked chicken or turkey cocktail sausages. Packages may be labeled cocktail links, mini smoked sausages, chicken smokies, or turkey smokies.

Because the sausages are already cooked, you are mainly reheating them and giving them enough time to absorb the barbecue sauce.

Drain away any liquid from the package before adding the sausages to the slow cooker. Too much packaging liquid can thin the glaze.

2. Mix the Sauce

Add the barbecue sauce, grape jelly, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire-style sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper directly to the slow cooker.

Stir until the seasonings are evenly distributed. The grape jelly may remain slightly lumpy at first, but it will melt as the sauce heats.

For the best flavor, use a barbecue sauce that is smoky and tangy rather than extremely sweet. The jelly already adds plenty of sweetness.

3. Add the Little Smokies

Place the drained cocktail sausages into the sauce. Stir gently until every sausage is covered.

Try not to fill your slow cooker more than about three-quarters full. This leaves enough room to stir the sausages without spilling sauce over the sides.

4. Cook Until Hot and Glazed

Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for approximately two to three hours. Stir the sausages after the first hour to help the jelly melt evenly and prevent sauce from collecting around the edges.

The appetizer is ready when the sausages are hot throughout and the sauce looks smooth, glossy, and slightly thickened.

Avoid cooking them for too long on high heat. Extended cooking can cause the sausages to split and release extra liquid into the sauce.

5. Thicken the Sauce if Necessary

If the sauce looks thinner than you prefer, remove the lid and continue cooking on high for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir occasionally while some of the excess moisture evaporates.

The glaze will also thicken slightly as it cools, so it does not need to look extremely thick inside the slow cooker.

6. Keep Warm for Serving

Once the sausages are ready, change the slow cooker setting to warm. Stir occasionally so the glaze remains evenly distributed.

Place toothpicks, cocktail forks, or small appetizer plates beside the slow cooker. Keep the lid on between servings to prevent the sauce from drying out.

Stovetop Cooking Method

Add all of the sauce ingredients to a medium saucepan or deep skillet. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the grape jelly has melted and the sauce is smooth.

Add the cocktail sausages and stir to coat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Stir every few minutes so the sauce does not stick to the bottom. Remove the lid for the final five minutes when you want a thicker glaze.

The stovetop method is faster, but the slow cooker is more practical when you need the sausages to remain warm during a party.

Pro Tips for Best Results

Drain the Sausages Well

Liquid from the package can make the barbecue glaze watery. Drain the sausages thoroughly before adding them to the sauce. You can also pat them lightly with paper towels when they are especially wet.

Start with Less Jelly

The amount of sweetness in barbecue sauce varies by brand. When using a very sweet sauce, begin with slightly less grape jelly and add more after tasting the warmed sauce.

Avoid Boiling the Sauce

A hard boil may cause the sausages to split. Keep the stovetop temperature low and let the sauce simmer gently.

Stir During Cooking

Grape jelly can settle at the bottom before it melts completely. Stirring once or twice helps create a smooth glaze and prevents scorching around the edges.

Do Not Leave Them on High for Hours

The warm setting is best after the sausages have heated through. Keeping them on high can overcook the sausages and make the sauce too thick.

Use the Right Slow Cooker Size

A three- or four-quart slow cooker is suitable for one standard batch. A larger cooker may cause the sauce to spread too thinly across the bottom and cook faster.

Variations and Substitutions

Spicy BBQ Little Smokies

Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or finely chopped pickled jalapeños. Start with a small amount and increase it after the sauce has warmed.

Honey BBQ Version

Replace the grape jelly with honey or apricot preserves. Honey creates a smoother sauce, while apricot preserves add a mild fruity tang.

Cranberry BBQ Little Smokies

Replace the grape jelly with canned whole-berry cranberry sauce. This variation works especially well for Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.

Pineapple BBQ Little Smokies

Add well-drained pineapple tidbits during the final 30 minutes of cooking. Avoid adding too much pineapple juice because it can thin the sauce.

Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce

Skip the jelly and sweeten the barbecue sauce with brown sugar and a small splash of apple juice. This produces a deeper caramel-like flavor.

Mustard BBQ Version

Increase the Dijon mustard for a sharper, tangier sauce. Yellow mustard may also be used, although its flavor will be milder.

Oven-Baked Little Smokies

Combine the ingredients in a covered baking dish. Bake at 350°F for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Remove the cover during the final five to ten minutes when you want the glaze to reduce slightly.

Storage, Freezing and Reheating Tips

Refrigerating

Allow leftover BBQ Little Smokies to cool before transferring them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to three or four days.

Store the sausages with the sauce so they remain moist and flavorful.

Freezing

Place the cooled sausages and sauce in a freezer-safe container, leaving a little space at the top. Freeze for up to two months.

The sauce may look slightly separated after thawing, but it usually becomes smooth again when warmed and stirred.

Reheating on the Stovetop

Place the sausages and sauce in a saucepan. Heat over low to medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until completely warmed through.

Add a small splash of water if the sauce has become too thick during storage.

Reheating in the Slow Cooker

Transfer the leftovers to the slow cooker and heat on low for approximately one to two hours. Once hot, reduce the setting to warm.

Reheating in the Microwave

Place a small portion in a microwave-safe bowl and cover loosely. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Little Smokies?

Little Smokies are small, fully cooked smoked sausages that are commonly served as appetizers. Depending on the brand, they may be made with pork, beef, turkey, or chicken. For this recipe, choose chicken or turkey cocktail sausages when avoiding pork and beef.

2. Can you make BBQ Little Smokies without grape jelly?

Yes. Replace the grape jelly with apricot preserves, cranberry sauce, honey, brown sugar, or orange marmalade. Each option changes the flavor slightly, but all help create a sweet and glossy barbecue glaze.

3. How long do Little Smokies cook in a slow cooker?

Fully cooked cocktail sausages generally need two to three hours on low or approximately one to one and a half hours on high. Once they are hot throughout, switch the slow cooker to warm so they do not overcook.

4. How do you thicken BBQ Little Smokies sauce?

Remove the slow cooker lid and cook the sausages on high for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. On the stovetop, simmer the sauce uncovered over low heat. Remember that the glaze will become thicker as it cools.

5. How many Little Smokies should I make per person?

Plan on approximately four to six sausages per guest when serving several appetizers. Increase that amount to eight or more per person when BBQ Little Smokies are one of the main foods available. For a large party, doubling the recipe is usually the safer choice.