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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers » Crockpot Little Smokies with Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce

    Published: Sep 27, 2022 by Cara Lanz · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Crockpot Little Smokies with Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce

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    toothpick with a lil smokie with grape jelly and bbq sauce
    lil smokies with grape jelly and bbq sauce in a white bowl
    toothpick with a lil smokie with grape jelly and bbq sauce
    lil smokies with grape jelly and bbq sauce in a white bowl

    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.

    toothpick with a lil smokie with grape jelly and bbq sauce
    Jump to:
    • Why You're Going to Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Recipe Variations
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Recipe Essentials
    • What to Serve with Little Smokies
    • More Great Appetizer Recipes
    • Let's Stay in Touch
    • Crockpot Little Smokies with Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce

    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.

    Try these appetizer recipes next

    • Crockpot Cocktail Chickpea Meatballs
    • Mexican Street Corn Pinwheel Appetizers
    • Ham Pickle Roll Ups
    • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

    Why 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 recipe with grape jelly and bbq sauce 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.

    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.

    lil smokies with grape jelly and bbq sauce in a white bowl

    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.

    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.

    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

    How long can I store lil smokies?

    According to this handy FoodKeeper app from the USDA, leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Can I freeze leftover lil smokies?

    Yes. Place the little smokies with the grape jelly and barbecue sauce in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium heat.

    Are little smokies fully cooked?

    Yes, Lit'l Smokies are fully cooked. You just need to warm them up!

    toothpick with a lil smokie with grape jelly and bbq sauce

    Recipe Essentials

    A 3-quart CrockPot is the perfect size for cooking and serving BBQ cocktail weenies.

    Slow cooker liners make clean-up a snap.

    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!

    Mini Hot Dog Bar

    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.

    mini hot dog appetizer bar
    mini hot dog appetizers on a white platter

    Read this post to find out exactly how to do that.

    More Great Appetizer Recipes

    • white platter with ham and pickle roll ups
      Ham Pickle Roll Ups (Minnesota Sushi)
    • Mexican Street Corn Pinwheel Appetizers
      Mexican Street Corn Pinwheel Appetizers
    • Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
      Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Slow Cooker + Oven Recipes)
    • Crockpot Cocktail Chickpea Meatballs

    Let's Stay in Touch

    Follow Midwestern HomeLife on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and subscribe via email to receive all of the latest recipes!

    lil smokies with grape jelly and bbq sauce in a white bowl

    Crockpot Little Smokies with Grape Jelly & BBQ Sauce

    Cara Lanz
    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.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 5 mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16
    Calories 255 kcal

    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.

    Notes

    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.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 790mgPotassium: 164mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Hi, I'm Cara!

    I love dreaming up easier, and sometimes healthier twists on dishes from the heartland.

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