Little Smokies Recipe
by Sommer Collier — on Oct 1, 2025 Our twist on a classic Little Smokies crockpot recipe includes cayenne pepper hot sauce for a kick of heat to balance the sweet, tangy bbq sauce. Make these slow cooker Lil Smokies for a fun and wildly delicious snack at any casual occasion, like game day gatherings and potlucks!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Little Smokies are the ultimate make-ahead party food. You can pop the simple ingredients in the slow cooker, let them simmer for a few hours, and serve them up for a hot, meaty snack everyone loves!
What makes our recipe extra super amazing, you might ask? Although all Lil’ Smokies recipes are fairly similar, we’ve added a pop of hot sauce to ours to give it a bit of a spicy kick. Otherwise, in our opinion, the barbecue sauce and brown sugar are cloyingly sweet.
Why You’ll Love This Lil Smokies Recipe
- 5 ingredients – You probably already have at least half of what you need in your kitchen. And packages of Lit’l Smokies mini cocktail sausages can be easily found at just about any grocery store and purchased well ahead of time!
- Sweet and spicy – The bit of heat and tang from the chilies and vinegar in the hot sauce really balance the sweeter Little Smokies and BBQ sauce perfectly!
- Dump-and-Go – There’s no need to precook anything. Simply add the ingredients right to the crock pot, set, and forget.
Get the crockpot going at your leisure early in the day, along with other great party snacks you can prep ahead, and you’ll actually have time to enjoy your own get-together!
Ingredients and Tips
- Little smokies – We’re using name-brand Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies, but any smoked precooked mini cocktail sausages will do.
- BBQ sauce – Use your favorite sauce brand and flavor. We love Stubbs’ original sauce, but hickory bourbon or smoked mesquite are great options. I just don’t recommend anything too sweet or spicy, as this recipe already includes brown sugar and cayenne pepper sauce.
- Brown sugar – Light brown sugar is sweet but milder than dark brown sugar, which has a deeper molasses flavor.
- Frank’s RedHot – We prefer this classic hot sauce, but any other cayenne pepper sauce is great. You can also skip it entirely for a mild lil smokies recipe, if you prefer!
- Garlic powder – This is our not-so-secret ingredient to balance the sweet and smoky flavors with a nice, savory, earthy taste.
How to Make Little Smokies in the Crockpot
Tip for Success – We are making a batch of smokies that serves 8 to 12 people. However, with a large crockpot, you can easily double this recipe.
Find the full Lil Smokies recipe with detailed instructions, storage tips, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Store leftover smokies in an airtight container with some of the sauce, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing – To freeze, transfer the weiners to a freezer-safe container or ziploc plastic bag. If using a container, I suggest wrapping it in foil to further prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheating – Reheat BBQ smokies on the stovetop in a small sauce pot, or microwave in short bursts at 50% power. You might need to add a bit more barbecue sauce if the smokies seem dried out at all.
Serving Suggestions
The best way to eat little smokies is with toothpicks, or served in a bowl or shallow dish with fork. For the latter, consider using a slotted spoon to scoop up the weiners.
These meaty little morsels are the perfect snack for game day parties, large potlucks, and casual barbecues. Serve them alongside other party food faves like Philly cheesesteak sliders, air fryer cheese curds, crispy baked chicken wings, and classic ooey-gooey Velveeta cheese dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Lit’l Smokies weiners are already cooked before packaging. But they need to be thoroughly reheated to 160 degrees to be considered safe to eat.
This recipe makes 8-12 servings total, depending on whether you’re serving them as a light appetizer, a full-on game day snack, or dinner. One serving is about 4-5 smokies.
Sure! To prepare on the stovetop, add all of the ingredients to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Stir, and turn the heat to medium-high. Once the sauce begins to bubble, stir the mini sausages again and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue to cook for 15-20 minutes at a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
Lil Smokies Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 28-36 ounces “little smokies” sausages 2 packages
- 18 ounces bbq sauce your favorite brand
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ cup Frank’s RedHot cayenne sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Set out a large 6-8 quart slow cooker. Pour the packages of Little Smokies in the crock. Add the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, cayenne pepper sauce, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- Cover the crock and turn on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours.
- Stir, and serve warm!
Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Store leftover smokies in an airtight container with some of the sauce, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing – To freeze, transfer the weiners to a freezer-safe container or ziploc plastic bag. If using a container, I suggest wrapping it in foil to further prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheating – Reheat bbq smokies on the stovetop in a small sauce pot, or microwave in short bursts at 50% power. You might need to add a bit more barbecue sauce if the smokies seem dried out at all.
Nutrition
