Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce. Tender, flavorful, and ready in just 3 hours. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping them from drying out. The crispy edges and the sweet, tangy sauce make these irresistible. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner and Easy Cheesy Asparagus Casserole Recipe for Dinner.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Tender and juicy Little Smokies
- Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce
- Easy and hands-off cooking
- Perfect for game day or parties
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.
- Little Smokies
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Little Smokies: You can use any brand of smoked sausage or cocktail wieners.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Hands-off cooking and tender results. → See on Amazon
- BBQ Sauce — Adds flavor and helps tenderize the Little Smokies. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Step 1: Place Little Smokies in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce over the Little Smokies.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Step 5: Serve hot with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking to prevent dry Little Smokies. Stick to the 3-hour cooking time.
- : For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- : To make this dish ahead, prepare the sauce and Little Smokies separately, then combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
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: You can prepare the sauce and Little Smokies up to 24 hours ahead and store them separately in the fridge.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Freeze cooked Little Smokies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute Little Smokies with smoked sausage or cocktail wieners for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and Little Smokies separately, then combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked Little Smokies every time. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Little Smokies
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Place Little Smokies in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce over the Little Smokies.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Step 5: Serve hot with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute Little Smokies with smoked sausage or cocktail wieners for a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and Little Smokies separately, then combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of 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 for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the sauce and Little Smokies up to 24 hours ahead and store them separately in the fridge.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 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 separately, then combine and cook in the slow cooker when ready to serve.
Overcooking can cause Little Smokies to become dry. Stick to the 3-hour cooking time to prevent this.
Yes, freeze cooked Little Smokies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for cooking Little Smokies. The slow cooker is the best method for tender results.
Substitute Little Smokies with smoked sausage or cocktail wieners for a similar flavor.
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!
