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 perfected the recipe for you. The trick I discovered is to cook them low and slow. The result? Juicy, perfectly cooked little smokies that will be the hit of your next gathering. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Za’atar Roasted Chickpeas with Lemon Zest and Quick Zucchini Noodles with Pesto and Grilled Shrimp.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for game day or parties
- Easy cleanup with just one pot
- Customize with your favorite BBQ sauce
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
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Chopped Green Onions
- Optional: Sesame Seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Little Smokies: You can use regular or turkey little smokies depending on your preference.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Cooks food evenly and keeps it warm until ready to serve. → See on Amazon
- BBQ Sauce — Adds rich 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 together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour over little smokies.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- : For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcrowding the slow cooker to ensure even cooking. If your slow cooker is too small, cook the little smokies in batches.
- : 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: You can prepare the sauce and little smokies ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge until ready to cook.
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, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a smokier flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with regular smoked sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the little smokies up to 2 days ahead and reheat in the slow cooker on low before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved depending on the size of your slow cooker and the number of guests.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or apple cider vinegar to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat Thermometer — Ensures the little smokies are cooked to a safe temperature, preventing foodborne illnesses. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Little Smokies
- BBQ Sauce
- Brown Sugar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Seasonings
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped Green Onions
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Place little smokies in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour over little smokies.
- Step 3: Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a smokier flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with regular smoked sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the little smokies up to 2 days ahead and reheat in the slow cooker on low before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved depending on the size of your slow cooker and the number of guests.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little water or apple cider vinegar to thin it out.
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, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the sauce and little smokies ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 8g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 4g
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 cook the little smokies up to 2 days ahead and reheat in the slow cooker on low before serving.
Overcooking can cause the little smokies to become dry. To prevent this, make sure to cook them on low for no more than 3 hours.
Yes, you can freeze cooked little smokies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
No, this recipe is best made in the slow cooker for tender, juicy little smokies.
The best BBQ sauce for this recipe is a sweet and tangy variety. My personal favorite is Sweet Baby Ray's.
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!
