Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce are tender, flavorful sausages cooked low and slow in a sweet and tangy sauce. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to keeping them from sticking. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas and Fresh Italian Pasta Salad with Mozzarella and Veggies.
Why This Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Tender and flavorful sausages
- Sweet and tangy BBQ sauce
- Easy, hands-off cooking
- Perfect for game day or weeknight dinner
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.
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Chopped green onions, for garnish
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Little smokies: You can use regular or turkey little smokies.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Hands-off cooking for tender sausages → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures sausages are cooked to perfection → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Step 1: Place little smokies in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, onion, and garlic. Pour over little smokies.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: To prevent sticking, spray the slow cooker with cooking spray before adding the little smokies.
- Pro tip: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Pro tip: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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: You can prepare the sauce and add it to the slow cooker the night before. Add the little smokies in the morning and cook as usual.
Freezing Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) 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 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with regular smoked sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thin, try adding a bit more brown sugar or cornstarch (mixed with water) to thicken it.
Want to level up this recipe?
Slow Cooker Liners — Easy cleanup and even heat distribution → Check price on Amazon
Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies in BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Place little smokies in the slow cooker.
- Step 2: In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, onion, and garlic. Pour over little smokies.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water and stir it into the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the little smokies with regular smoked sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Make-ahead: See storage section for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thin, try adding a bit more brown sugar or cornstarch (mixed with water) to thicken it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the sauce and add it to the slow cooker the night before. Add the little smokies in the morning and cook as usual.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sat. Fat: 4.5g
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 prepare the sauce and add it to the slow cooker the night before. Add the little smokies in the morning and cook as usual.
To prevent sticking, spray the slow cooker with cooking spray before adding the little smokies.
Yes, freeze cooked sausages for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
These sausages are great with a side of baked beans, coleslaw, or corn on the cob.
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!
