Can I add heat or extra seasoning?

Start by considering adding some heat. Ideas include 1-2 teaspoons sriracha sauce or a little red pepper flakes. To add salt and other flavors, consider 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Worcestershire sauce is another option to add savory flavor, 1 tablespoon. Pick additions to serve with other dishes.

Can I make these on the stove?

In a medium saucepan or skillet, simmer the sauce on the stove over medium heat, stirring, and add the sausages. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the sausages are thoroughly heated and the sauce has thickened slightly.

How long do Lil’ Smokies cook in a slow cooker?

Cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours or on HIGH for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the sauce comes to a boil and the sausages are heated through.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Refrigerate cooked shrimp leftovers in a covered container for up to 4 days. Reheat cooked shrimp leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Other reheating options include gently reheating cooked shrimp leftovers in a saucepan over low heat until heated through.

What can replace Lil’ Smokies?

Use cooked sausage, sliced kielbasa, smoked sausage, or meatballs. The sauce works well with these foods.

Honey Garlic Lil’ Smokies with BBQ Sauce

By Sloane ParkNov 10, 2026

Prep

5 min

Cook

120 min

Total

125 min

Servings

Level

Easy

Jump to recipe

These honey garlic Lil' Smokies are a popular party appetizer. Cocktail sausages are cooked in honey garlic barbecue sauce until the sauce thickens and bubbles. The slow cooker helps keep appetizers warm on a serving table.

Honey Garlic Lil’ Smokies with BBQ Sauce

Use your favorite BBQ sauce. Most of the flavor in this recipe comes from the sauce. I suggest using a mixing bowl to mix the sauce with the sausages and then pouring the sauce over them. Gently toss to coat the sausages. Serve when the sauce is simmering and the sausages are warm.

The sausages are precooked and cooked in the slow cooker. Cooking them in the slow cooker will help the sauce adhere to them. Overcooking the sausages in the slow cooker will cause them to become tough. I wouldn't suggest using a separate plate for the sausages, as you can keep the slow cooker at WARM on a serving table to avoid washing an extra dish.

Serve toothpicks and hot sausages as an appetizer or snack with cheese and crackers. Other options for serving appetizers with sweet sausage sauce include fresh fruit and vegetables or a salad. Napkins should be available where the appetizers are served because the sweet sauce is sticky, and the sausages will be eaten more than once.

Why you'll love this recipe

1It is appropriate for game and holiday functions where delays are expected in serving hot food to other guests.
2Sauce adds sweet and savory flavors to the sausage that people eating it will enjoy.
3Children and adults may consume one sweet. Party guests may eat one additional sweet with other party foods.
4I like that the cooker is left on during the party for convenience, so guests can eat sausages.
5Using a brand of barbecue sauce you like helps maintain the flavor of the sauce.

Instructions

Whisk the BBQ sauce, honey, and minced garlic together in a small bowl.

Place the Lil’ Smokies in the bottom of a slow cooker.

Pour the prepared sauce over the sausages.

Stir gently until the sausages are evenly coated.

Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1-1.5 hours, until the sausages are heated through and the sauce is bubbly. Stir occasionally.

Set the slow cooker to WARM to hold the sausages for serving.

Serve hot with toothpicks.

FAQ

Double the recipe to feed more people. Double the sausage and sauce ingredients. Use the same amount of coating for all the ingredients. A larger cooker may need a bit of mixing of the sausage and coating after adding the sauce.

1 / 2

Snacks & Appetizers American Party Game Day Slow Cooker