Crock Pot BBQ Cocktail Sausage

The first time I made these BBQ cocktail sausages, it was for a last-minute Super Bowl party. I had nothing prepared, and a bag of Little Smokies staring at me from the fridge. My grandmother always kept a jar of apricot preserves in her pantry, and something clicked—sweet meets smoky meets that tangy barbecue kick we all crave.

Last New Years Eve, I set out a crock pot of these bubbling away on the counter. By midnight, the pot was scraped clean and my cousin was actually using bread to sop up the remaining sauce. Thats when I knew this wasnt just appetizer food—it was the kind of comfort that makes people linger around the kitchen island, telling stories and reaching for just one more sausage.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs cocktail smoked sausages: Little Smokies are classic here, but any miniature smoked sausage works beautifully
• 1 cup barbecue sauce: Use whatever brand you love—hickory, mesquite, or original all bring their own personality
• 1 cup apricot jam or preserves: The secret ingredient that balances the tangy barbecue with natural fruit sweetness
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard: Adds just enough sharpness to cut through all that sugar and richness
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar: Brightens everything up and keeps the sauce from cloying
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce: Deep, savory umami that makes people wonder what that special something is
• 1/4 tsp black pepper: A little warmth and dimension beneath all the sweet and bold flavors

Instructions

Whisk up your magic sauce:

In a medium bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, apricot jam, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Whisk until the jam melts into the sauce and everything is completely smooth and glossy.

Get those sausages cozy:

Dump the cocktail sausages into your crock pot and pour that beautiful sauce all over them. Give everything a good stir so every single sausage is coated and swimming in flavor.

Let the slow cooker work its charm:

Cover and cook on LOW for about 2 hours, giving it a stir halfway through. Youll know its ready when the sauce is bubbling thickly and those sausages are plump and glistening.

Save to Pinterest

My daughter now requests these for every birthday celebration instead of cake. Okay, maybe alongside cake. But watching her friends crowd around the slow cooker, debating who gets the last one, reminds me that sometimes the simplest food creates the happiest moments.

Make It Your Own

Once youve got the basic method down, play around with the fruit preserves. Grape jelly is the classic Southern twist, but Ive tried peach preserves for summer parties and even pepper jelly for adults-only gatherings. The key is keeping that fruit element to balance all the bold barbecue flavor.

Party Planning Perfection

These sausages hold their temperature beautifully for hours, making them ideal for open houses or potlucks where guests drift in and out. I always keep an extra bag of cocktail sausages in the freezer—thaw them overnight and you can double this recipe in a heartbeat for bigger crowds without any extra effort.

Serving Suggestions

While toothpicks are classic, I love serving these alongside mini sliders or even as part of a chili bar. The sauce works beautifully spooned over baked beans too.

• Set out small napkins—this sticky sauce is part of the charm but also part of the mess
• A lighter-style barbecue sauce lets the apricot flavor shine through more delicately
• Keep the slow cooker on the WARM setting after the initial cook time so they stay perfectly tender

Save to Pinterest

Theres something deeply satisfying about a recipe that delivers such big flavor with such little effort. Every time I lift that slow cooker lid and smell that sweet-smoky aroma bubbling away, I know good times are coming.

Recipe Q&A

→ What kind of sausages are best for this dish?

For this dish, mini smoked sausages, often labeled as cocktail sausages or Little Smokies, work perfectly. Their small size makes them ideal for appetizers, and they absorb the sauce wonderfully during the slow cooking process.

→ Can I make these ahead of time for a party?

Absolutely! These cocktail sausages are excellent for meal prepping. You can prepare them completely and then reheat them gently in the crock pot on a "warm" setting, or even in a saucepan on the stovetop, just before serving to ensure they are hot and savory.

→ What are some good alternatives if I don't have apricot jam?

If apricot jam isn't available, grape jelly is a classic and delicious substitute that provides a similar sweet and fruity base for the barbecue sauce. You could also experiment with peach preserves or even a bit of orange marmalade for a different twist.

→ How can I add a bit of heat to the sauce?

For those who enjoy a bit of spice, you can easily add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture before cooking. Alternatively, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce stirred in at the end will give them a pleasant kick without overpowering the other flavors.

→ What's the best way to serve these cocktail sausages?

These saucy cocktail sausages are fantastic served warm directly from the crock pot, allowing guests to help themselves with toothpicks. They also pair wonderfully with crusty bread for dipping, alongside pickles for a tangy contrast, or even with crunchy potato chips.

→ Is this dish naturally gluten-free?

This dish can be gluten-free, but it's essential to check your specific ingredients. Ensure both your cocktail sausages and the barbecue sauce you choose are certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain wheat-based ingredients.