Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker
Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker. After making these many times, I’ve perfected the perfect balance of sweet and tangy sauce. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with juicy, tender little smokies that are always a hit. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Brown Sugar Chai Cake and Fruity Pebbles Cheesecake Tacos.
Why This Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Easy to customize with your favorite sauce
- Always a crowd-pleaser at parties
What You'll Need for Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker
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 ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- BBQ sauce
- ketchup
- brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- Optional: chopped green onions
- Optional: sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- little smokies: You can use regular or smoked little smokies depending on your preference.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Slow Cooker — Cooks food evenly and frees up your oven for other dishes. → See on Amazon
- Meat Thermometer — Ensures your little smokies are cooked to perfection every time. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker
- Step 1: Combine all ingredients except little smokies in a bowl. Mix well.
- Step 2: Place little smokies in slow cooker. Pour sauce mixture over top.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 4: Serve hot with toothpicks and desired toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the little smokies. They can become tough and dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 160°F.
- Substitution tip: You can use baby back ribs or chicken wings instead of little smokies for a different twist.
- Preparation tip: You can prepare the sauce mixture the night before and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Storing & Reheating Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker
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 make the sauce mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Freezing Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker
Freeze cooked little smokies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the little smokies in the slow cooker ahead of time and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or apple juice.
Want to level up this recipe?
BBQ Sauce Variety Pack — Try different flavors to find your favorite or mix them for a unique twist. → Check price on Amazon
Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb little smokies
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Seasonings
- BBQ sauce
- ketchup
- brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- garlic powder
- onion powder
Optional Toppings
- chopped green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Combine all ingredients except little smokies in a bowl. Mix well.
- Step 2: Place little smokies in slow cooker. Pour sauce mixture over top.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
- Step 4: Serve hot with toothpicks and desired toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the little smokies in the slow cooker ahead of time and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or apple juice.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked little smokies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Stir halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can make the sauce mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 45mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker FAQs
Yes, you can cook the little smokies in the slow cooker ahead of time and reheat before serving. However, the sauce may thicken, so you may need to thin it out with a little water or apple juice.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry little smokies. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 160°F but not much higher.
Yes, you can freeze cooked little smokies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
While you can cook the little smokies in the air fryer, the slow cooker is the best method for this recipe as it ensures even cooking and tender meat.
Baby back ribs or chicken wings can be used as a substitute for little smokies. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy BBQ Little Smokies in Slow Cooker 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!
