Little Smokies Appetizers Recipe

A Collection of Favorite Lit'l Smokies Recipes from the South.

Dec 16, 2006
Cyndi Allison

sausage recipes - www.morguefile.com

Little Smokies or Lit'l Smokies cooked various different ways are always a hit at parties. These crowd pleasing appetizers are also easy to cook up.

The classic Little Smokies (or Lit'l Smokies) in a crock pot are always a hit at holiday parties or at social gatherings. I haven't figured out if it's the kids eating all the little smoked sausages or if the adults are slipping these mini treats and taking a walk back memory lane. In either case, little smokies seem to please year after year and while they are not on the healthy "in" food list, they sure do taste good and the empty crock pot proves that point.

The basic recipe for Little Smokies is quite simple.

Basic Little Smokies

1 package of Lit'l Smokie sausages (1 lb. in the meat section vaccum sealed)
1 can of chili sauce (12 oz. can)
1 small jar grape jelly (10 oz.)

Directions:

If you make these on top of the stove, then heat and stir the chili and grape jelly until it's mixed well and warm. Add the sausages. Let heat for about 30 minutes on low heat. Serve warm.

Using the crock pot, put everything in and stir. Set to low heat and warm for an hour or two. Stir now and then to make sure all the sausages are evenly coated. Serve right out of the crock pot.

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There are a lot of other fun, favorite Lit'l Smokie recipes that are popular here in the south. They're all simple and all tasty.

Barbecue Little Smokies

This is the easiest of the Smokie recipes. You just put the sausages in a baking dish or in a crock pot and pour your favorite BBQ sauce over the meat. Baking time is 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. In the crock pot, you'll need to go around 2 hours on low.

Orange Smokies

Put 1 pack of Lit'l Smokies in a crock pot and add 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup orange juice concentrate (do not mix with water), 1 T. flour, 1 T. mustard, 1 T. vinegar. Heat on low for 2 hours and serve.

Little Smoky Piggies

Open a can of crescent rolls. Cut each crescent in half longwise keeping the pie wedge shape. Put a little smokey on the fat end and roll to the skinny end. Stick a toothpick in to keep these tight and neat. Heat at 350 degrees F for about 18 minutes or until the bread is lightly browned. you can brush with melted butter before or after cooking.

Bacon Wrapped Lit'l Smokies

Again, you need a pack of smokies plus some bacon and about 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Cut bacon slices in half. Wrap each smokie with bacon and put a tooth pick through each to hold the bacon on. Place all bacon wrapped smokies in a baking dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Heat for 45 minutes in a 350 degree F oven. Serve on a platter or remove toothpick and put in a crock pot to keep them warm as guests munch along.

If you're looking for additional Little Smokie recipes, I've added another collection. See More Little Smokie Recipes and enjoy your little meat appetizers.

Cyndi Allison - Southern born and fed, Cyndi Allison is a college lecturer and newspaper advisor as well as being a freelance writer. She writes on ...

Comments

Nov 18, 2008 1:51 PM

Guest :

I am looking for a recipe for a sauce for little smokies made with grape jelly and spicy mustard. Do you have one? I have had one several years ago but have lost the recipe for it. If you have one,can you send to me. Thank you, v.knowles

Nov 18, 2008 4:29 PM

Cyndi Allison :

For the one pound size of Little Smokies use:

1/2 cup mustard (spicy mustard, Gray Poupon or hot dog variety)
1 1/2 cups grape jelly

You can, of course, add other ingredients, but that's the basic recipe with mustard.

Nov 21, 2008 5:07 PM

Guest :

Thanksfor the lil smokie recipes, although I am weary about the first one. Grape jelly and Chili sauce dont sound too appetising

Dec 4, 2008 12:53 PM

Guest :

I am looking for a recipe for a sauce for little smokies made with bbq sauce and rasberry chipotle sauce. Do you have one?

Dec 7, 2008 5:03 PM

Cyndi Allison :

Hi there. The first one is the original and classic Little Smokies recipe. I know it sounds really odd with grape jelly and chili sauce. Do note that it's the Mexican chili sauce and not like hot dog chili sauce which would be most dreadful. Ugh. Anyway, it does sound like a disaster, but the Lit'l Smokies in grape jelly and chilli sauce are really good and the first I ever had.

Dec 7, 2008 5:11 PM

Cyndi Allison :

"I am looking for a recipe for a sauce for little smokies made with bbq sauce and rasberry chipotle sauce. Do you have one?"

I must say that I do not have one specific to these ingredients. You can do Lit'l Smokies just in barbecue sauce, but it must be a sauce you very much love as that's the end taste. So, the BBQ sauce brand would be critical.

I try something like 2 parts BBQ sauce to 1 part raspberry chipolte. Then, I'd adjust from there. I'd also do that at home with family before trying it on company or at a party.

Dec 8, 2008 12:18 PM

Erin Wischmeier :

What brand of chili sauce do you use? This is my first time making this and I don't want to use the wrong thing. Thank you.

Dec 8, 2008 12:23 PM

Cyndi Allison :

I've used different brands on the chili sauce. Some are in cans and some in bottles. Look with the Mexican foods for chili sauce. It's the thin sauce like you see on enchiladas at Mexican restaurants. I'm thinking the last I used was Old El Paso. Not certain. If I have time this evening or tomorrow, I'll check the grocery on that.

Dec 8, 2008 3:41 PM

Cyndi Allison :

I checked at Food Lion. They did not have any that I've used before. They did have chili sauce by Heinz. It's thicker with more tomato than what I usually use. A little closer to barbecue sauce. I'm sure I've had them with this brand based on looking at the clear bottle and thinking of some versions at the church that had a heavier tomato twang than the ones I'd been making. Really depends on the taste you want.

Dec 9, 2008 7:39 PM

Guest :

Do you think regular BBQ sauce and grape jelly would work?

Dec 11, 2008 9:10 PM

Cyndi Allison :

I'm sure a combo of barbecue sauce and jelly could work. The main thing would be that you'd have to make sure the flavors blend well. There are so many BBQ sauces on the market. It could be pretty hit or miss. A very sweet barbecue sauce with the sweet jelly could be a real blast of "sweet." I'd mix close 1/2 and half for a taste. Just get a tablespoon of the jelly and a barbecue sauce. Heat in the microwave. Taste. That way you don't end up with a whole pot of Little Smokies that have a flavor you don't like.

Dec 18, 2008 11:35 AM

Guest :

Picante Sauce is really good with the grape jelly too.

Dec 24, 2008 1:18 AM

Guest :

Do you have to use grape JELLY, or can you use grape JAM???

Dec 28, 2008 5:32 PM

Guest :

Any recipes for the the plain mini weiners, not the sausage variety ?

Dec 29, 2008 3:41 PM

Guest :

I am looking for little smokies in an orange sauce. Mine didn't use flour. Can I omit it in your orange smokies recipe?

Jan 3, 2009 5:06 AM

Guest :

I used grape jelly, forgot the recipe, didn't have any more mustard, so I used BBQ sauce and grape jelly..no one could really tell the difference and thought they were perfect.

Jan 3, 2009 5:07 AM

Guest :

I used grape jelly, forgot the recipe, didn't have any more mustard, so I used BBQ sauce and grape jelly..no one could really tell the difference and thought they were perfect.

Jan 6, 2009 4:06 PM

Guest :

I found this recipe for Party Franks on allrecipes.com:
* 1 pound cocktail wieners
* 1 (8 ounce) jar grape jelly
* 1 (8 ounce) jar yellow mustard
And it had a lot of "just like Grandma's! comments.

Jan 9, 2009 6:44 AM

Guest :

im a 12 year old girl that loves little smokies!i have never known what the sauce was made from i thought i was made from bbq sauce, but i was told it was made from mustard and grape jelly?is this true?

Jan 15, 2009 4:54 PM

Guest :

Guest: I use a large jar of grape jelly & two jars of salsa with 4 packages of little smokies and put them in a crock pot & heat thru for a couple of hours. They go over so good they ask me to make for the next event

Jan 31, 2009 10:25 AM

Guest :

I was at a party where someone wrapped little smokies with crescent rolls, there was brwn sugar & honey in there. They were awesome. Do you have a recipe for that

Feb 1, 2009 4:03 PM

Cyndi Allison :

Hi 12 year old friend. You can use barbecue sauce. Just make sure it's a flavor you really love. The Little Smokie sausages are quite mild. They pick up the flavor or flavors or whatever you put in there. You can make them mild with a mellow BBQ sauce or spice them up with something zesty.

Feb 2, 2009 2:04 PM

Guest :

The best way that I have found to make LiL Smokies is to use and Crock Pot, add the Smokies and then add 2 cans of Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce and cook on low. The Manwich is the best combination of spices and bbq sauce that I have found. To top it off, it's a super easy combination.

Feb 18, 2009 1:56 PM

Guest :

Do you have any other twists on the bacon wrapped smokies? I was trying to think of someting else to add to make it a little different. Thanks ofr your help.

Feb 23, 2009 7:52 PM

Guest :

i want to make little smokies, but do you think i could just cut up hotdogs and put BBQ sauce on them? then cook them in the crockpot?
Thanks~ i appreciate it!

Feb 24, 2009 3:27 PM

Cyndi Allison :

Yes. You can cut up regular hot dogs. The texture is softer than the Little Smokies. I prefer the Lit'l Smokies, but hot dogs work and taste fine too. The price is usually better too, although Hillshire Farms products are usually on sale around holidays.

Mar 15, 2009 9:14 AM

Guest :

I am looking for a recipe for lit'l smokies using bourbon. Have you heard of this??

Jun 12, 2009 10:26 AM

Guest :

Hi, I just use, 1 jar (18 oz.) grape jelly, and 1 bottle (12 oz.) Heinz or store brand of chili sauce. I heat them together on top of the stove, stirring. Then add 1 pack of Lit'l Smokies or even 2 packs and simmer for about 30 minutes. They turn out awesome. Linda Byrd.

Jun 14, 2009 1:09 PM

Guest :

Cyndi,
Where can I find fruit flavored cream cheese as you have in your Fruity Fruit Dip Recipe? I have NEVER seen this product anywhere and would love to make this recipe. Thank you for you help here.

Jun 14, 2009 1:15 PM

Guest :

Jun 26, 2009 9:53 AM

Guest :

I have not had the grape jelly and mustard sauce for the Smokies, but have for many years used equal amounts of yellow mustard and apple jelly. Yummy!

Aug 3, 2009 7:44 PM

Guest :

Hi there - For the simple BBQ sauce and Lit'l Smokies recipie, what BBQ sauce would you recommend? Thanks very much!!

Sep 10, 2009 3:10 PM

Guest :

I owe you an apology. When I read the recipe for the Little smokies in sauce and saw that it called for grape jelly and mustard I just knew you were NUTS. It got the best of me and I mixed up a teaspoon of each to try with my smokies and it was GREAT. I've tried to make these in the past with bbq sauce and it was nasty. But today I learned the right way. Thanks for the recipe.

Oct 29, 2009 5:39 PM

Guest :

You can also use Cranberry Sauce and Cocktail Sauce instead of Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce...FYI. I've done it both ways and literally could not taste a difference, but the cranberry sauce recipe comes out a more reddish color if your cooking for a themed dinner or potluck.

Dec 10, 2009 7:27 AM

Guest :

There is an easier way, buy the precooked bacon (you'll only need a half strip per smokey), not nearly as much grease when baking. Then use a 1/2 & 1/2 mix of brown sugar and ketchup that way it sticks better to the smokies than just brown sugar would. Tastes delicious!

Dec 11, 2009 10:50 AM

Guest :

i don't understand the term "chili sauce" - in Texas i think it may be something different than it is everywhere else. Can someone explain to me what chili sauce is?

Dec 27, 2009 1:16 PM

Guest :

OK, I am a 20 year old female. My mother passed when I was 17, I remember her Lil Smokies called for grape jelly, ketchup, mustard, and brown sugar, I think. Am I mixing up different recipes, or could this actually be a real recipe?

Dec 27, 2009 1:58 PM

Cyndi Allison :

First, I am sorry to hear that your mother passed. My Dad has and that was very hard. I fortunately still have my Mom.

My guess is that your Mom had problems finding chili sauce. It's a Tex Mex product which I've seen in cans and bottles. It's red and thinner than ketchup and has some zip.

I would say that using ketchup, brown sugar etc was to get the sauce part without chili sauce. The mustard likely gave it a little more zip like the chili sauce would.

As long as you get a sauce thickness, you really can play around and add most anything you like. Some things do, however, taste better than others (-: This one sounds like a good mixture though.

Dec 31, 2009 9:25 AM

Guest :

It was helpful,and the recipie was great!

Feb 27, 2010 4:08 PM

Guest :

I live in France and grape jelly is nonexistent so I used blackberry jelly and chile sauce plus three packages of little smokies and it turned out delicious!

Mar 7, 2010 10:53 AM

Guest :

I just made the orange smokies recipe, and put in a tiny bit of BBQ sauce too, and it is great! :D Hope the hubby enjoys it when he gets home, I'm sure he will . . .

Apr 4, 2010 10:50 AM

Guest :

Can I use black currant in a jar rather than currant jelly?

Apr 27, 2010 6:25 PM

Guest :

I have always made my smokies as follows:
Cut bacon into 3-4 pieces per slice. Allow big enough piece to go around smokie and insert toothpick to secure bacon to smokie. Dip each toothpicked smokie into sauce (see recipe below) and place on a baking sheet. Bake at about 400 degrees until bacon is cooked. For the sauce, I use equal amounts of honey and mustard (about 2/3 c. each) and also mix in about 1/2 c. of brown sugar.
Wrap, Dip, Bake, Eat! I've never had any leftovers when I took these to potlucks. People LOVE these and request that I make them where ever I go!!! ENJOY!!

May 17, 2010 1:32 AM

Guest :

I'm a Southern cook with a more "down home" recipe (for the 30s crowd) ... crock pot, Lil' smokies, and one can of beer. Give it an hour or so, and you'll have the cleanest crock pot around. Those little boogers fly... :) Best! ...and Yum: the jelly recipe is good too... heavier, but tasty.

Aug 25, 2010 6:19 AM

Guest :

The recipe passed down for generations in my family calls for 1 bottle of hot ketchup (Heinz makes this), 1 small jar of grape jelly, 1 tsp of mustard, and liquid smoke.

Nov 27, 2010 6:35 PM

Guest :

I use equal parts regular mustard 10 oz. and red curent jelly 10 oz. I have been using this recipe for 45 years

Dec 18, 2010 5:30 PM

Guest :

Does anyone ever use the catalina sauce found int the salad dressing section? If so, do you use the grape jelly with that recipe for the lil smokies also? Thanks.

Dec 18, 2010 5:38 PM

Guest :

Does anyone ever use the catalina sauce found int the salad dressing section? If so, do you use the grape jelly with that recipe for the lil smokies also? Thanks.

Dec 30, 2010 5:53 AM

Guest :

I took the basic Bacon-Wrapped Lil Smokies recipe and added about 3/4 cup of pineapple juice to about 1/2 cup of brown sugar, and poured it over the smokies before baking. The tangy juice went well with the sugar and bacon, and everyone loved them.

Jan 16, 2011 7:37 AM

Guest :

Try with raspberry chipolte sauce in the crock pot for 2 hours (on low)!

Feb 5, 2011 10:08 AM

Guest :

I usually use a chipotle bbq sauce and honey bbq sauce with 1-2 cans of pineapple chunks in heavy syrup...they are usually a hit!

Feb 9, 2011 8:04 AM

Guest :

sausage little smokies- had a lot of hard pieces in every bite, We could not eat them. would like our money back. I bought 4 pkgs. My# 817-545-7583. Thank you

52 Comments