Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce are tender, flavorful sausages cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping them from drying out. The warm, cozy aroma will fill your home and make everyone crave them. Serve them at your next game day gathering or potluck. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Creamy Broccoli and Quinoa Bake for Dinner and Refreshing Watermelon Rose Cooler Recipe for Hot Days.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Tender and juicy sausages
- 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.
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- little smokies: You can use regular or turkey little smokies.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Hands-off cooking and tender results → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures sausages are cooked to perfection → 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, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture over the little smokies.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 5: Serve hot with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the sausages. They can become dry if left in the slow cooker too long.
- Tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the sauce before serving.
- Tip: You can also make these in the oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can use smoked sausages instead of little smokies.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the sausages ahead of time and reheat them in the sauce before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by cooking it on the stovetop until it reduces.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Pot — Quick and tender results for busy weeknights → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
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, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture over the little smokies.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 5: Serve hot with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can use smoked sausages instead of little smokies.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the sausages ahead of time and reheat them in the sauce before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, you can thicken it by cooking it on the stovetop until it reduces.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 650mg
- 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 cook the sausages ahead of time and reheat them in the sauce before serving.
They may have been overcooked. Try reducing the cooking time.
No, little smokies are best cooked in the slow cooker or oven.
They pair well with chips, crackers, or vegetables and dip.
Yes, you can freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
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!
