Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve perfected the trick to keeping them juicy and tender. The moment they’re done, the aroma of sweet and tangy BBQ sauce fills your home, making it impossible to resist. Keep reading for my best tips on how to make these little smokies the star of your next gathering. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Pesto Eggs on Avocado Toast Easy Breakfast Recipe and Easy Lemon Herb White Bean Dip Recipe for Quick Snacks.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly tender and juicy sausages
- Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce
- Easy cleanup with the slow cooker
- Better than takeout flavor at home
What You'll Need for Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
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
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 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 — Hands-off cooking and tender results → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfect tenderness every time → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Place little smokies in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture over the little smokies.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 5: Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C).
- Pro tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and stir it into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the sauce mixture and place it in the slow cooker the night before. In the morning, add the little smokies and turn on the slow cooker.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked little smokies in BBQ sauce for up to 3 months.
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 version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with cocktail weenies or even chicken wings for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: This recipe is perfect for make-ahead cooking. Prepare it in the morning and enjoy it after work.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and stir it into the sauce. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
BBQ Sauce — Adds authentic flavor to your little smokies → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Seasonings
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked 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, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce mixture over the little smokies.
- Step 4: Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 5: Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with cocktail weenies or even chicken wings for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: This recipe is perfect for make-ahead cooking. Prepare it in the morning and enjoy it after work.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thin, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and stir it into the sauce. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked little smokies in BBQ sauce for up to 3 months.
- 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 mixture and place it in the slow cooker the night before. In the morning, add the little smokies and turn on the slow cooker.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 4.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sauce mixture and place it in the slow cooker the night before. In the morning, add the little smokies and turn on the slow cooker.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry little smokies. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Yes, you can freeze cooked little smokies in BBQ sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
While you can cook little smokies in the air fryer, the slow cooker method ensures they stay juicy and tender.
You can substitute the little smokies with cocktail weenies or even chicken wings for a different twist.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout 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!
