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Mississippi Lil Smokies

Mississippi Lil Smokies

Mississippi Lil Smokies are an easy, crowd-pleasing sausage appetizer that slow-cooks in your crockpot or slow cooker with sweet-spicy barbecue flavors for the perfect Southern party food.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 4 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Southern
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Hillshire Farm Lil’ Smokies or any mini cocktail sausages (about 60 pieces)
  • 1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce (or your go-to bottle)
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar (maple syrup swap works too)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter cut into cubes (Land O’Lakes preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon Frank’s RedHot sauce (adjust up or down for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra depth)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, brown sugar, melted butter cubes, Frank’s RedHot, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Using a silicone spatula helps scrape the bowl clean.
  • Arrange Lil’ Smokies in an even layer at the bottom—this ensures each sausage gets cozy in the sauce.
  • Drizzle the mixture evenly, then gently stir to coat every little sausage. Fun fact: stirring too vigorously can break the casing.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Active time: less than 10 minutes!
  • Give them a light stir at the 2-hour mark (low setting) or 1 hour (high); you’ll notice the sauce thicken and become glossy.
  • Sample one Lil Smokie—add a splash more hot sauce if you crave heat, or a teaspoon of honey if you’d like it sweeter.
  • Transfer to a warmed serving dish, sprinkle chopped parsley or cilantro, and place toothpicks nearby for easy grabbing.
  • If your party’s still going, switch to “warm” on your slow cooker—nobody wants cold sausage!

Notes

I tested this recipe almost a dozen times—funny how a dash more paprika can lift the flavor. Letting the sauce rest for 10 minutes before serving helps it cling to each sausage. Pro tip: if your sauce separates, a quick whisk over low heat brings it back together.
Keyword Crockpot Sausage, Party Food, Southern BBQ
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