Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce. Tender, flavorful, and ready in just 3 hours. The secret? Cooking them low and slow in your slow cooker. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick is to add a touch of brown sugar for extra depth of flavor. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Strawberry Cheesecake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting and Easy Bruschetta with Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Basil.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Tender and juicy little smokies
- Flavorful BBQ sauce with a hint of sweetness
- Easy set-it-and-forget-it cooking
- Perfect for game day, parties, or meal prepping
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.
- Little Smokies
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Onion
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Chopped green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Little Smokies: You can use any brand you prefer.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Cooks food evenly and tenderly, perfect for busy days. → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures your little smokies are cooked to perfection every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Step 1: Place little smokies in slow cooker.
- Step 2: Mix together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, garlic, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour over little smokies.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 3 hours, stirring halfway through.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the little smokies. They can become tough if left in the slow cooker too long.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, cook the little smokies in the slow cooker, then refrigerate. Reheat in the slow cooker before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Make-ahead tip: Can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with cocktail weenies or even chicken wings for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: Cook the little smokies in the slow cooker, then refrigerate. Reheat in the slow cooker before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow Cooker Liners — Makes cleanup a breeze and prevents sticking. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Little Smokies
- BBQ sauce
- Brown sugar
- Garlic
- Onion
Seasonings
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Place little smokies in slow cooker.
- Step 2: Mix together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, garlic, onion, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour over little smokies.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 3 hours, stirring halfway through.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with cocktail weenies or even chicken wings for a different twist.
- Make-ahead: Cook the little smokies in the slow cooker, then refrigerate. Reheat in the slow cooker before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water and stir into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Can be made ahead and reheated before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
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 little smokies in the slow cooker, then refrigerate. Reheat in the slow cooker before serving.
Overcooking can make the little smokies tough. Be sure not to leave them in the slow cooker too long.
While you can freeze the little smokies, the texture of the BBQ sauce may not be the same when thawed.
While you can cook the little smokies in the air fryer, the slow cooker method gives them a more tender texture.
Reheat in the slow cooker on low for 15-20 minutes or in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
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!
