Slow Cooker Little Smokies Recipe (co*cktail Weenies) | foodiecrush.com?

Little smokies: Famous things usually go by many names. You may know them as co*cktail wieners, co*cktail franks, lil smokies, or as my grandma says “baby wursts.” They're small smoked sausages sold in 12- to 14-ounce packages at the store, in the deli section.

What is another name for Lil Smokies?

Lil Smokies are another name for co*cktail sausages, or co*cktail weenies . There are a few different brands you can commonly find, like Hillshire or Eckrich. There are also beef, pork, and chicken varieties.

What are co*cktail franks?

This mini but mighty version of our legendary German Brand Franks is the perfect size for appetizers or snack time… feed one or many. These tiny franks are still handcrafted the old-fashioned way with the highest quality blend of meats and spices for the incredible flavor you've come to expect from Hofmann.

What is a substitute for little smokies?

Little Smokies - You can substitute sliced smoked sausage or even sliced hot dogs for the little smokies. Brown sugar - I used my favorite brown sugar substitute, Lakanto Golden but any variety of brown sugar or brown sugar substitute will work fine.

What's the difference between little smokies and Vienna sausages?

However, Vienna sausages tend to be softer in texture and mouthfeel and are sliced, giving them an open-ended appearance. Although the look of Vienna sausages might remind you of little smokies, Vienna sausages typically have a garlicky, more seasoned flavor profile . They're also typically more juicy and soft.

Slow Cooker Little Smokies Recipe (co*cktail Weenies)

This easy and addictive little smokies recipe is made even simpler thanks to the Crockpot and is perfect for game days and parties.

CrockPot Little Smokies Appetizer

Every year around this time, it’s the same thing.

The phone rings. Well, it used to ring. Now it just buzzes with texts.And then I ~~hear~~ read, “Heidi, can you send me your Little Smokies recipe again?”

Yep, like clockwork.

As the big game daydraws near, I starthearing—make that seeing—the requests. And every year I sendthe same little smokies recipeout to friends who have had these sweet little barbecued sausages in the crockpot (or my new Instant Pot) on game days of yearspast.

They’recraving them again, but this time in the comfort of their own home where the game day bets are a little looser, and a whole lot more forgiving.

I never thought this humble lil smokies recipe was worthy ofa blog post, but given the requests I stillreceive, andthe fact thatI crack open my war-torn recipe binderfor the recipeeachyear, I realized me and my friends might notbethe only ones in need of a super simple, slow cooker game dayappetizer.

What’s in This Little Smokies Recipe?

These days there are a variety of co*cktail weiner flavors out there. Turkey. Beef. Sausage, and combos of them all. I chose traditionalpork sausages but also threw in a package of cheddar-stuffed weiners for a little once-in-a-few-bites surprise.

A basic store-bought barbecue sauce is the base for this sauce, so Ichoose a quality, honey sweetened version tolendthesmoky, sweet flavor.

White vinegar adds tang and a puckery punch. I don’t use apple cider vinegar because it comes off a little too strong.

And then there’s beer. What would game day be like without another layer of it?

How to Make Little Smokies

This game day appetizer couldn’t be simpler. Just add everything to your slow cooker, pop the lid on, and let the co*cktail weenies cook on high for 2 to 3 hours until warmed through.

Once cooked, turn the heat to “warm” to keep the lil smokies warm all afternoon.

Can I Omit the Beer?

The alcohol from the beer cooks out of the co*cktail sausages, but if you’d rather not add the beer, addthe same amount ofwater or sparkling cider in its place.

What Type of Beer Should I Use?

You want to use a light beer in this recipe. Bud Light or something similar will work.

Tips for Making Little Smokies

I add ½ cup brown sugar to the lil smokies sauce to amp up its sweet flavor. If you don’t like your little smokies to be too sweet, scale back the amount of sugar you use.

I don’t recommend using granulated sugar in place of brown sugar, as brown sugar’s caramel-y flavor pairs better with the honey barbecue sauce.

If serving this little smokies recipe to guests, be sure to plonk a serving spoon into the slow cooker so they can easily serve themselves. A stash of clean toothpicks to eat these co*cktail weenies with also makes for less cutlery to clean after the big game.

More Easy Appetizers You’ll Love

Bacon Beer Cheese Dip
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip
Easy Yogurt Fruit Dip
French Onion Dip
Pigs in a Puff Pastry Blanket

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Bookmark this recipe and leave a comment below, or take a photo andtag me on Instagramwith #foodiecrusheats.