Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce are tender, flavorful, and ready in just 3 hours. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping them from drying out. The warm, cozy aroma fills your home and is perfect for game day or parties. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Cowboy Potato Casserole for Dinner and Classic Hawaiian Loco Moco Recipe with Mushroom Gravy.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Tender and juicy sausage bites
- Flavorful 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 sausages
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Little Smokies: Use any brand you like.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow cooker — Hands-off cooking, keeps food warm → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Ensures sausage is cooked to perfection → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Step 1: Place Little Smokies in slow cooker.
- Step 2: Mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour over sausages.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- : For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir in during the last hour of cooking.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking to prevent dry sausages. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 160°F (71°C).
- : Add a splash of water to the slow cooker if the sauce becomes too thick.
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 store it in the fridge overnight. Add sausages and cook in the morning.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the slow cooker or oven.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), place sausages on a baking sheet, and heat for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute Little Smokies with cocktail weenies or smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and store it in the fridge overnight. Add sausages and cook in the morning.
- 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 cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir in during the last hour of cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow cooker liner — Easy cleanup, protects slow cooker from stains → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Little Smokies sausages
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Apple cider vinegar
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Place Little Smokies in slow cooker.
- Step 2: Mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Pour over sausages.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute Little Smokies with cocktail weenies or smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sauce and store it in the fridge overnight. Add sausages and cook in the morning.
- 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 cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water and stir in during the last hour of cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the slow cooker or oven.
- Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), place sausages on a baking sheet, and heat for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce and store it in the fridge overnight. Add sausages and cook in the morning.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- 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, prepare the sauce and store it in the fridge overnight. Add sausages and cook in the morning.
Avoid overcooking. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 160°F (71°C).
Yes, freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the slow cooker or oven.
No, this recipe is best suited for the slow cooker. The air fryer may not cook the sausages evenly.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
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!
