Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to keep them from drying out. The result? Juicy, tender, and bursting with BBQ flavor. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy High Protein Mango Greek Yogurt Popsicles for Summer and Easy High Protein Beef and Broccoli Rice Bowls for Meal Prep.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Easy and hands-off cooking
- Perfect for game day or parties
- Better than takeout flavor
What You'll Need for Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Little smokies: You can use regular or turkey little smokies.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Cooks food evenly and hands-off → See on Amazon
- BBQ Sauce — Adds rich flavor and glaze → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir well to coat the little smokies.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
- Step 3: Stir occasionally to coat the little smokies in the sauce. Serve hot.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- : For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking to prevent the little smokies from drying out. Check them after 2 hours and adjust cooking time as needed.
- : For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce and little smokies ahead of time. Combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Freeze cooked little smokies in BBQ sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), place little smokies in a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoky flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute little smokies with cocktail sausages or smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and little smokies ahead of time. Combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat Thermometer — Ensures food safety and perfect cooking → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Stir well to coat the little smokies.
- Step 2: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
- Step 3: Stir occasionally to coat the little smokies in the sauce. Serve hot.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smoky flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute little smokies with cocktail sausages or smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and little smokies ahead of time. Combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked little smokies in BBQ sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), place little smokies in a baking dish, cover with foil, and reheat for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce and little smokies ahead of time. Combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 170
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 3.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and little smokies ahead of time. Combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready. Keep in the fridge until then.
Overcooking can cause little smokies to dry out. Check them after 2 hours and adjust cooking time as needed.
Yes, freeze cooked little smokies in BBQ sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
While you can cook little smokies in the air fryer, the slow cooker method ensures they're tender and juicy.
Substitute little smokies with cocktail sausages or smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
