One appetizer that never fails to impress is the Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies. When it comes to hosting gatherings or potluck parties, having a few delicious and easy-to-make appetizers up your sleeve is always a win.
Ingredients
This savory-sweet dish uses just three simple ingredients. Combining the smoky flavor of cocktail weenies with the tangy sweetness of grape jelly and barbecue sauce, resulting in a mouthwatering treat that will have your guests coming back for more.
Sometimes, you may see the mini hot dogs in grocery stores as lil smokies, mini sausages, or little weenies.
You can use any flavor barbeque sauce.
Have you ever heard of this? I know, you might be thinking what kind of combination this is. But hear me out. The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies: A Crowd Pleaser
This timeless recipe has earned its classic status for a reason. With its impeccable balance of sweet and savory flavors, it’s an irresistible combination that keeps people coming back for seconds, and even thirds.
Whenever we serve this dish at our parties, whether its our kids’ birthday parties, Christmas parties, or a gameday gathering, it’s met with enthusiastic praise. The rave reviews are a testament to its universal appeal and guaranteed crowd-pleasing nature.
We often make a double batch just so we can have leftovers. It’s so easy to just dump everything in the crock pot and heat 2-3 hours.
Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 14 Ounces Cocktail Wieners 1 package of little smokies
- 1 Cup Grape Jelly
- 1 Cup Barbecue Sauce such as Sweet Baby Rays or your favorite flavor
- Optional: Red pepper flakes for added heat
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, combine the grape jelly, barbecue sauce. If you like a bit of heat, you can also add some red pepper flakes to the mixture.
- Stir the ingredients together until well combined.
- Add the cocktail smokies to the slow cooker, stirring to coat them evenly with the sauce mixture.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the smokies are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Once cooked, you can keep the slow cooker on the “warm” setting to keep the smokies warm throughout your gathering.
- Serve and Enjoy
- Once the Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies are ready, serve them straight from the slow cooker with toothpicks for easy snacking. These addictive bites are sure to disappear fast, so make sure to prepare plenty!
Your Own Private Notes
Nutrition
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep work, Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies are the ultimate party appetizer that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbeque, family gatherings, or a casual dinner party, these savory-sweet smokies are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. When football season comes around, we’re making these on repeat.
Make these Cocktail Sausages on the Stove Top
It’s such an easy recipe. With a few minutes of prep time, in less than 30 minutes cooking, you can enjoy this appetizer.
Heat the sauce mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to simmer.
Once the sauce is simmering, add the cocktail smokies to the saucepan, stirring to coat them evenly with the sauce.
Reduce the heat to low and let the smokies simmer in the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the smokies are heated through and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Once cooked, you can keep the smokies warm on the stovetop until ready to serve.
Serve and Enjoy:
Transfer the stovetop-cooked Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies to a serving dish and serve them with toothpicks for easy snacking. These flavorful bites are perfect for parties, game day, or any casual gathering.
Recipe Variations
While the classic Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies recipe is a favorite, there are several different ways you can try to add some variety to your appetizer spread. Here are a few ideas for this delicious recipe.
Grape Jelly Meatballs. Yes, you can swap out the little smoked sausages for frozen meatballs or homemade if you have the time. Both are great recipes.
Chili Sauce. Add a smoky and spicy twist. Swap out half the BBQ sauce with the chili sauce for a bit more kick. tart
Honey Mustard. Substitute the barbecue sauce with honey mustard for a tangy and sweet flavor profile. You can also add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard for an extra kick.
Asian-Inspired. Use hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and a splash of rice vinegar in place of the barbecue sauce for an Asian-inspired twist. Add grated ginger and minced garlic for extra flavor.
Sweet and Tangy. Combine equal parts of grape jelly and apricot preserves in the sauce mixture for a sweet and tangy flavor combination. Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
Cranberry Orange. Substitute cranberry sauce and orange marmalade for the grape jelly for a festive holiday twist. Add a splash of orange juice and zest for bright citrus flavor.
Feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations to suit your taste preferences and the occasion.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Storing and reheating leftovers properly is key to maintaining their freshness and flavor. Here are some general guidelines for storing and reheating Slow Cooker Grape Jelly BBQ Little Smokies:
Storing Leftovers
Allow the leftovers to cool to room temperature before storing them. Transfer the leftover smokies and sauce to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Place in a freezer-safe container and store 4-6 months.
Reheating Leftovers
To reheat a small portion, you can use the microwave. Place the desired amount of smokies and sauce in a microwave-safe dish and cover loosely with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel.
Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through, stirring halfway through the heating time.
Alternatively, you can reheat larger portions on the stovetop. Transfer the smokies and sauce to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
If the sauce has thickened too much upon reheating, you can thin it out with a splash of water or broth.
For food safety, avoid reheating leftovers more than once, as this can increase the risk of foodborne illness.
We hope you enjoy making this easy appetizer recipe. Put it in your recipe box for your next party.
