Little Smokies with Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce is an easy appetizer recipe that is always a crowd-pleaser. This delicious slow cooker appetizer comes together with 3 simple ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep time. Perfect appetizer for football season, holiday parties, and family gatherings.
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Looking for the easiest appetizer ever? Next time you need something fast and easy, just throw some mini cocktail wieners in a crockpot with grape jelly and barbecue sauce. That's it. In 2-3 hours, you'll have the most delicious, savory appetizer that will get rave reviews.
Grape jelly sounds super weird, I know. But when it's combined with BBQ sauce, it creates a rich, savory, delicious sauce. Trust me on this. I've been eating these delicious appetizers my whole life, and I can vouch for their deliciousness.
Set them out with Tortilla Pinwheels and Ham Pickle Roll Ups for the complete Midwestern party experience.
You're Going to Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe that's always a huge hit
- Great appetizer with bold, tangy flavors from simple ingredients
- Perfect appetizer for your next Super Bowl party, game day parties, or movie night
Ingredients
Lil’ smokies. Little smokies are mini sausages that are the perfect snack size for this tasty appetizer.
BBQ sauce. I recommend Sweet Baby Rays barbecue sauce or another sweet and tangy bbq sauce. You can substitute the BBQ sauce with chili sauce if you prefer a milder flavor.
Grape jelly. Grape jelly is a fan favorite for this classic recipe and adds rich sweetness to the sauce.
Recipe Variations
There are so many different ways you can make these crockpot lil smokies. Next time, try adding in:
- Pineapple chunks
- Jalapeno slices
- Hot sauce
- Sriracha sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Red pepper flakes
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic powder
- Replace half of the mini cocktail sausages with frozen meatballs (may take a little longer to warm through)
- Instead of grape jelly, use cranberry sauce, apricot jelly, apple jelly, or even seedless blackberry or raspberry jelly.
Instructions
Spray the insert of a 3-quart crockpot with cooking spray or use a crockpot liner.
Combine BBQ sauce and grape jelly together in the crock pot. Add the little smokies and stir.
Cook on low heat for 2-3 hours or until warmed through. Reduce heat to warm setting and serve.
What to Serve with Little Smokies
These Lil Smokies with Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce are so good on their own, all you really need are some toothpicks! But, I also love treating these little sausages like mini hot dogs!
Set up a whole build-your-own mini hotdog appetizer bar with toasted Hawaiian buns, chili, coleslaw, relish, diced onions, shredded cheese, and corn chips.
Read this post to find out exactly how to do that.
Expert Tips
- A sweet and tangy BBQ sauce adds the best flavor -- a smoky BBQ sauce may get overwhelming.
- Make more than you think you'll need -- these will go fast!
- If you like a little sweeter sauce for your bbq lil smokies, vs. a tangier one, use equal parts grape jelly and barbecue sauce.
Recipe FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Yes. Freeze leftover lil smokies with grape jelly and bbq sauce in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat.
Yes, Lit'l Smokies are fully cooked. You just need to warm them up!
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📖 Recipe
Crockpot Little Smokies with Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 28 ounces Lit'l Smokies (2) 14 oz. packages
- 1 ½ cups barbecue sauce
- 1 cup grape jelly
Instructions
- Spray the insert of a 3-quart crockpot with cooking spray or use a crockpot liner.
- Combine BBQ sauce and grape jelly together in the crock pot. Add the little smokies and stir.
- Cook on low heat for 2-3 hours or until warmed through. Reduce heat to warm setting and serve.
Storage & Freeze Instructions
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.Freeze leftover lil smokies with grape jelly and bbq sauce in a freezer safe container for 2-3 months.
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