These slow cooker little smokies simmer in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce made with simple pantry ingredients. Just 10 minutes of prep makes this an easy appetizer for game day, holiday parties or backyard gatherings.
We make these honey garlic smokies every year for all kinds of gatherings, and they always go FAST! The combination of smoky sausage, sweet honey and garlic is ridiculously delicious. They’re especially perfect for game-day parties when everyone wants something easy to snack on.
I love an appetizer that lets me get everything into the crockpot and move on with the rest of the food. Serve these with toothpicks alongside pickle roll ups for a party spread that’s easy to pull together.
Why This Recipe Works
- Only six ingredients. A package of cocktail sausages and a few kitchen staples are all you need.
- Homemade honey garlic sauce. Honey, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce and fresh garlic create a sweet, savory sauce without bottled barbecue sauce.
- Minimal prep. Mince the garlic, combine everything in the slow cooker and let it cook.
- Easy party serving. Once hot, the smokies can stay in the slow cooker on Warm so guests can help themselves.
Recipe Ingredients
Little smokies: Use 28 ounces of fully cooked miniature smoked sausages, also labeled cocktail sausages or Lit’l Smokies. Package sizes vary, so check the total weight. Drain any liquid from the packages before adding them.
Garlic: Two minced cloves give the sauce its garlic flavor. Fresh garlic is my recommendation for this simple sauce.
Brown sugar: Adds sweetness and a little molasses flavor. Break up any clumps so it mixes evenly into the sauce.
Honey: Sweetens the sauce and pairs perfectly with the garlic and smoky sausages.
Ketchup: Gives the sauce a tomato base and tanginess to balance the sweetness.
Soy sauce: Adds savory flavor and saltiness. Reduced-sodium soy sauce is an option if you’d like to cut back on salt.
How to Make Slow Cooker Little Smokies
- Add the ingredients. Place the drained little smokies in your slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, brown sugar, honey, ketchup and soy sauce.
- Stir and cook. Stir to coat the sausages evenly. Cover and cook on Low for approximately 3 hours, until hot throughout.
- Serve warm. Give everything another stir, then switch to Warm and serve with toothpicks. Keep the smokies at 140°F or above while serving.
Recipe Tips
- Start with thawed sausages. If your little smokies are frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator before making the recipe.
- Skip the extra liquid. The sauce ingredients provide the liquid needed for this recipe. Adding water will dilute the flavor.
- Keep the lid on while cooking. Repeatedly lifting it releases heat and can extend the cooking time.
- Double for a crowd. Double all six ingredients and use a slow cooker large enough to accommodate the batch within the manufacturer’s recommended fill level. Allow extra time if needed to heat everything through.
- Add a little heat. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes is an easy optional addition if you like a sweet and spicy sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
To prep ahead: Mix the sauce, cover and refrigerate up to a day ahead. When ready to cook, add the sausages and sauce to the slow cooker and follow the recipe as written.
To store: Refrigerate leftovers in a shallow, airtight container within 2 hours of cooking or serving. Use within 3 to 4 days.
To reheat: Warm the sausages and sauce in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove until they reach 165°F. If serving at a party, transfer the hot smokies to a preheated slow cooker and keep on Warm at 140°F or above.
Slow Cooker Little Smokies FAQ
Are little smokies already cooked?
Yes, the miniature smoked sausages used in this recipe are fully cooked. Check the package to confirm you’re buying fully cooked cocktail sausages. The slow cooker heats them through while the sauce flavors mingle.
Can I use beef little smokies?
Yes! Fully cooked beef, pork or turkey cocktail sausages can be used in this recipe. The flavor will vary slightly depending on the variety you choose.
Can I use barbecue sauce instead of the honey garlic sauce?
You can heat little smokies in barbecue sauce, but that will give you a different appetizer. For this honey garlic version, use the sauce ingredients listed in the recipe card.
Can I leave little smokies in the crockpot for a party?
Yes. Once they’re hot throughout, switch the slow cooker to Warm and keep them covered between servings. The Warm setting should maintain the food at 140°F or above. Stir occasionally to redistribute the sauce.
More Easy Party Appetizers
Round out your appetizer table with hot crab dip or serve cream cheese topped with homemade pepper jelly alongside crackers.
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Slow Cooker Little Smokies (Honey Garlic)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 28 oz fully cooked little smokies or cocktail sausages drained
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 3 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Place the drained little smokies in a slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, brown sugar, honey, ketchup and soy sauce. Stir to coat evenly.28 oz fully cooked little smokies or cocktail sausages, 2 cloves garlic, 3 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 Tbsp honey, 3 Tbsp ketchup, 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- Cover and cook on Low for approximately 3 hours, until the sausages are hot throughout.
- Stir before serving. Switch to Warm and serve with toothpicks, keeping the smokies at 140°F or above while serving.
Notes
- Use thawed, fully cooked cocktail sausages.
- No additional water or broth is needed.
- Double all ingredients for a larger batch, using an appropriately sized slow cooker. Allow additional heating time if needed.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop to 165°F before serving.Stir the smokies into the sauce before cooking and again before serving so every bite gets coated in honey garlic goodness.
Nutrition
Megan Porta is a comfort food recipe creator who specializes in easy family meals and Instant Pot desserts, and the founder of Pip and Ebby. She has been cooking for three decades and developing recipes for over fifteen years, helping home cooks make reliable, cozy recipes for real life.
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