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 appetizer dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping them from drying out. The warm, smoky aroma will fill your home and make your guests beg for the recipe. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Zucchini Noodle Chicken Alfredo Recipe and Easy Pesto Zucchini Corn Quinoa Salad for Quick Dinner.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Tender and juicy little smokies
- 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 – 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 ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- little smokies: You can use regular or turkey little smokies.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Hands-off cooking and keeps food warm → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfect tenderness → 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, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce over the little smokies. Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Step 4: Stir the little smokies halfway through cooking. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the little smokies to prevent them from drying out.
- : You can add a splash of beer or apple juice to the sauce for extra flavor.
- : For a spicy version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
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 make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
Not recommended for freezing.
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 healthier version, use turkey little smokies and reduce the sugar in the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the BBQ sauce with your favorite sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the little smokies and sauce in the slow cooker the night before and refrigerate. Cook as usual the next day.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or apple juice.
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Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
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, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
- Step 3: Pour the sauce over the little smokies. Cook on low for 3 hours.
- Step 4: Stir the little smokies halfway through cooking. Season with salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use turkey little smokies and reduce the sugar in the sauce.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the BBQ sauce with your favorite sauce.
- Make-ahead: You can assemble the little smokies and sauce in the slow cooker the night before and refrigerate. Cook as usual the next day.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or apple juice.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- 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.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
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 assemble the little smokies and sauce in the slow cooker the night before and refrigerate. Cook as usual the next day.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry little smokies. Make sure to cook them for no more than 3 hours on low.
Yes, this recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
Yes, you can use your favorite type of sausage. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time if necessary.
The best way to reheat little smokies is in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. This helps to keep them from drying out.
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!
