These little smokies with grape jelly and BBQ sauce are hands-down the easiest party appetizer you'll ever make. You literally dump cocktail sausages, grape jelly, and barbecue sauce into your slow cooker, walk away for a couple hours, and come back to the most addictive sweet-and-tangy bites that disappear before you can blink.
I've made these for game days, holiday parties, and backyard BBQs, and people always go back for seconds (and thirds, and fourths). The combo sounds weird until you taste it, then suddenly you're the genius who brought the best thing on the snack table. If you're looking for more easy slow cooker appetizers that don't need babysitting.
If you love this kind of easy appetizer, check out my Slow Cooker Cranberry Turkey Meatballs and Easy 4-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken Salsa, both have that same effortless magic.
Quick Answer
Little smokies with grape jelly and BBQ sauce are cocktail sausages slow-cooked in a sweet and tangy glaze made from just grape jelly, barbecue sauce, and chili sauce. They take 15 minutes to prep, cook for 2-3 hours on Low, and make the perfect party appetizer that serves 8-10 people. The sausages come out sticky, glossy, and packed with smoky-sweet flavor that keeps guests coming back for more.
What you'll get:
- Prep time: 15 minutes (just mix and dump)
- Cook time: 2-3 hours on Low (totally hands-off)
- Flavor: Sweet, tangy, smoky, with a glossy glaze
- Perfect for: Game day parties, potlucks, holiday gatherings, easy entertaining
- Why it works: The grape jelly creates a sticky-sweet coating while the BBQ sauce adds smokiness and depth
Jump to:
Ingredients
You will need these simple ingredients you can find at your grocery store to make this recipe.
Miniature smoked sausages - Also called cocktail wieners or lil' smokies. You can even cut hot dogs into bite-size pieces if that's what you've got on hand.
Barbecue sauce - Pick one you love! Sweet, smoky, or honey-infused all work.
Chili sauce - Adds a light tang and depth. If you don't have it, mix ketchup with a dash of hot sauce.
Grape jelly - The star that gives everything that glossy, sweet coating. You can swap for apricot or cranberry jelly if you want to experiment.
Optional flavor boosters: garlic powder, a pinch of red pepper flakes, brown sugar, or a sprinkle of green onions and parsley to finish.
Note: While this recipe lists 4 ingredients, many people make it with just 3 (grape jelly + BBQ sauce + smokies), skipping the chili sauce entirely. Both versions work great! I prefer adding chili sauce for a little extra tang, but if you want the absolute easiest version, just use equal parts grape jelly and BBQ sauce.
See recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-step instructions with photos for the Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies
Combine sauces. In a medium bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce, chili sauce, and grape jelly until smooth.
Add sausages. Place the miniature smoked sausages in your slow cooker.
Pour and coat. Pour the sauce mixture over them, making sure everything is evenly coated.
Stir gently. Give everything a little toss so each sausage gets a shiny glaze.
Cook low and slow. Cover and cook on Low for 2-3 hours, stirring once or twice.
Keep warm. Once cooked, switch to the Warm setting until serving time.
Garnish & serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or green onions if you're feeling fancy - and don't forget the toothpicks!
Tips for Perfect Little Smokies
If you're using a smaller slow cooker, stir occasionally to prevent sticking near the edges.
How to know they're done: The sauce should coat the back of a spoon and the sausages should look glossy and slightly caramelized around the edges. Give one a taste - it should be sticky-sweet with a little tang.
Want thicker sauce? Pour it into a saucepan after cooking and simmer for a few minutes until it thickens to your liking.
For big parties, double the batch, these disappear fast.
Use the sauce as a dipping bowl on the side for extra flavor.
Balance the richness by serving with something fresh like coleslaw or cucumber salad.
First time making these? Don't stress about exact measurements. The ratio of jelly to BBQ sauce is flexible - start with equal parts and adjust to your taste.
Make them party-ready: Serve directly from the slow cooker set to Warm with toothpicks on the side. They'll stay perfect for hours.
Glaze too thin? Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some liquid evaporate.
Variations
- Meatballs version: Swap the smokies for frozen cocktail meatballs, same sauce, same cook time.
- Spicy twist: Add a splash of sriracha or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Holiday special: Use cranberry jelly instead of grape for a festive flavor.
- Maple-BBQ version: Replace some of the grape jelly with maple syrup for a cozy winter version.
- Stovetop quickie: Don't have time? Simmer everything on the stove for 15-20 minutes on medium-low heat.
- My favorite twist: I sometimes add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce before cooking. It adds a subtle sharpness that cuts through the sweetness and makes people ask "what's in these?!"
Serving Ideas
- These little smokies shine on game day, but they're versatile enough for any party. Try them:
- As a holiday appetizer with cute cocktail picks
- In a slider bun with cheese for mini sandwiches
- With mac and cheese or mashed potatoes for a fun comfort-food meal
- On a snack board with cheeses, pretzels, and pickles
- Reheated and tossed with pasta for a quick smoky-sweet dinner
Storage Tips
Pro tip: Skip adding fresh herbs before freezing add them after reheating instead.
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Overnight in the fridge, then reheat in the microwave, oven, or back in the slow cooker on Low.
FAQs
Can I make these smokies ahead of time?
Absolutely! Cook them the day before, then reheat on Low for 1 hour before your guests arrive.
How do I keep the sausages from drying out?
Keep your crockpot on Warm once cooked. The sauce keeps them juicy, just give a stir every so often.
Can I use a different jelly flavor?
Yes! Apricot, peach, or even cranberry jelly give great results. Grape just happens to be the classic.
Crockpot Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies
Equipment
- 4-6 quart slow cooker
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula or spoon
- Airtight containers (for storage)
Ingredients
- 3 (14oz) packages miniature smoked sausages e or cocktail sausages
- ยฝ cup of your favorite bbq sauce
- ยผ cup chili sauce
- ยพ cup grape jelly
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together barbecue sauce, chili sauce, and grape jelly until smooth.
- Add sausages to the slow cooker.
- Pour sauce mixture over the sausages and stir gently to coat.
- Cook on Low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once hot and glossy, switch to Warm until ready to serve.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onion if desired.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by adding hot sauce or chili flakes.
- For thicker sauce, simmer on the stovetop for a few minutes after cooking.
- Try substituting jelly flavors - apricot, peach, or cranberry work beautifully.
- Keep leftovers in the crockpot on Warm for up to 2 hours for easy serving.
Leave a Reply