By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 9, 2025
You are going to love this deliciously simple Crockpot Little Smokies recipe! So quick to prep, these cocktail wieners are cooked in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce in the slow cooker for an effortless appetizer that everyone will love.
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Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe.
Whenever I’m hosting game day, there are a few must-haves that absolutely have to be on the menu to keep everyone happy and snacking.
First up: buffalo wings —crispy, spicy, and perfect for dipping, they always disappear fast. Next is queso dip , warm and creamy with just the right amount of spice. And of course, no game day spread is complete without little smokies—bite-sized, savory, and incredibly addictive.
This crockpot version is a spin on classic little smokies . This recipe utilizes familiar sweet and savory flavors. If you’re looking for variety, try swapping the grape jelly for cranberry sauce or crushed pineapple. You can also cook these sausages in sriracha or Buffalo sauce for a spicy version.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ▢ ½ cup grape jelly
- ▢ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ▢ 28 ounces little smokies sausages (2 (14-ounce) packages)
Video
Instructions
- Mix together the BBQ sauce, grape jelly, apple cider vinegar, and ground cayenne in a mixing bowl. 1 cup barbecue sauce, ½ cup grape jelly, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Add the little smokies to the crockpot. 28 ounces little smokies sausages
- Pour the sauce over the little smokies and stir to coat. Make sure the little smokies are well coated in the sauce before setting to cook.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until warmed through.
Equipment
- Crockpot
Becky’s Tips
- These miniature sausages, usually made of pork, are also known as cocktail sausages or cocktail weenies. They are very similar to hot dogs in taste, and that’s where you’ll find them in the store.
- Brands vary in weight, with most packages between 12-16 ounces. This recipe will work with any of these sizes.
- If you don’t like spicy, you can skip the cayenne. If you like things extra hot, feel free to add a little more!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Little Smokies Step by Step
Make the sauce: Mix together 1 cup of barbecue sauce, ½ cup of grape jelly, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper in a mixing bowl.
Coat the sausages: Add 28 ounces (2 packages) of little smokies to your crockpot. Pour the sauce over the little smokies and stir to coat.
Cook the Sausages: Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until warmed through.
Serve and enjoy: Transfer the little smokies to a serving dish and enjoy.
How to Store
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. Reheat in the crockpot or on the stovetop.
Let crockpot little smokies cool completely before adding them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these crockpot little smokies alongside your other favorite game day apps like our hardy sheet pan party meatballs , some creamy hot onion dip , along with savory bacon wrapped crackers , or a batch of homemade tortilla chips .
more sausage appetizers to try
Sausage Balls
Pigs in a Blanket (Cheesy!)
Kielbasa Jalapeno Popper Bites
Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 28 ounces little smokies sausages (2 (14-ounce) packages)
Instructions
- Mix together the BBQ sauce, grape jelly, apple cider vinegar, and ground cayenne in a mixing bowl. 1 cup barbecue sauce, ½ cup grape jelly, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Add the little smokies to the crockpot. 28 ounces little smokies sausages
- Pour the sauce over the little smokies and stir to coat. Make sure the little smokies are well coated in the sauce before setting to cook.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until warmed through.
Video
Notes
- These miniature sausages, usually made of pork, are also known as cocktail sausages or cocktail weenies. They are very similar to hot dogs in taste, and that’s where you’ll find them in the store.
- Brands vary in weight, with most packages between 12-16 ounces. This recipe will work with any of these sizes.
- If you don’t like spicy, you can skip the cayenne. If you like things extra hot, feel free to add a little more!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
