Description
Zesty Little Smokies are a delicious and easy appetizer perfect for parties, game days, or holiday gatherings. Featuring cocktail sausages simmered in a flavorful sauce made from barbecue sauce, grape jelly, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, this recipe balances sweet and tangy flavors with a hint of spice. Ready in just 25 minutes, these bite-sized sausages are crowd-pleasers that can be cooked on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
Little Smokies
- 1 (14 oz) package cocktail sausages (Little Smokies)
Sauce
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup grape jelly
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the barbecue sauce, grape jelly, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until the mixture is smooth and begins to simmer.
- Add the sausages: Add the cocktail sausages to the saucepan and stir to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low and let the sausages simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are heated through and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Serve: Transfer the sausages to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
- Alternate cooking method: For convenience, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2–3 hours. Stir before serving.
Notes
- Perfect for parties, game days, or holiday gatherings.
- You can make them in a slow cooker by combining all ingredients and cooking on low for 2–3 hours.
- Use spicy BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
- Garnish with fresh parsley for added color and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop or Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5–6 sausages
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
