BBQ Little Smokies

These easy BBQ Little Smokies are a simple Little Smokies recipe simmered in a sweet, smoky, and tangy barbecue sauce until thick and sticky. One of those easy Little Smokies recipes perfect for parties, game day, holidays, and family gatherings.

Cook Time

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Prep Time

5 Minutes

Ingredients

Make the BBQ Sauce
Add the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper to a large saucepan or deep skillet. Stir until well combined.
Heat the Sauce
Cook over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth.
Add the Little Smokies
Add the Little Smokies to the sauce and stir until all the sausages are evenly coated.
Simmer
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the Little Smokies are heated through and the BBQ sauce becomes thick, glossy, and sticky.
Rest the Sauce
Remove from the heat and let the Little Smokies sit for about 5 minutes. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it rests.
Serve
Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm with toothpicks for an easy party appetizer.

RECIPE TIPS

For extra-sticky BBQ Little Smokies, simmer them uncovered so the sauce can reduce and cling to the sausages. Stir occasionally and keep the heat at medium-low so the sugars in the BBQ sauce and brown sugar don't scorch. The sauce will thicken even more after the Little Smokies rest for a few minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make BBQ Little Smokies ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare them as directed, cool completely, and refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until hot.
Can I make Little Smokies in a slow cooker instead?

Yes. Combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or until the Little Smokies are heated through and the sauce is thick and flavorful.
Do Little Smokies need to be cooked before adding them to the sauce?

No. Packaged Little Smokies are already fully cooked. They simply need to be heated thoroughly in the BBQ sauce before serving.
How do I keep the BBQ sauce from getting too thin?

Simmer the Little Smokies uncovered over medium-low heat. This allows excess moisture to evaporate so the sauce reduces and becomes thick, glossy, and sticky.
How long do leftover BBQ Little Smokies last?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat them gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

□ 2 (14-oz) packages Little Smokies sausages (28 oz total)
□ 1 (18-oz) bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s Hickory & Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
□ ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
□ ¼ cup ketchup
□ 2 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
□ 1 TBSP yellow mustard
□ 1 TBSP apple cider vinegar
□ 1 tsp garlic powder
□ ½ tsp onion powder
□ ½ tsp smoked paprika
□ ¼ tsp black pepper