Cranberry Lil Smokies are the ultimate sweet-and-savory party bite. Smoky cocktail sausages simmer in a glossy cranberry, barbecue, and Dijon glaze that’s tangy, slightly sweet, and totally addictive. With just a few pantry ingredients and your slow cooker doing the work, you’ll have an easy holiday appetizer that disappears fast at any gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 packages (14 oz each) lil smokies sausages
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (canned jellied or whole-berry, or homemade)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk or stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Place the lil smokies sausages into the bowl of a slow cooker.
- Pour the cranberry mixture over the sausages, then stir gently to coat all the lil smokies evenly in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or on HIGH for 1–1.5 hours, until the lil smokies are heated through and the sauce is hot and slightly thickened.
- Give everything a gentle stir, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add a bit more barbecue sauce for smokiness or cranberry sauce for sweetness).
- Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, spooning extra sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness.
- Serve warm straight from the slow cooker (set to WARM) or from the platter, with toothpicks for easy snacking.
Variation
- Spicy Cranberry Lil Smokies: Add 1–2 tablespoons hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a sweet-heat combo.
- Orange-Cranberry Lil Smokies: Stir in 2 tablespoons orange marmalade and 1 teaspoon orange zest for a bright citrus twist.
- Grape & Cranberry Glaze: Replace half of the cranberry sauce (1/2 cup) with grape jelly for a nostalgic, extra-sweet flavor that kids love.
Cooking Notes
- Cook just until heated through; since lil smokies are pre-cooked, they don’t need long, just enough time for the flavors to meld and the sauce to warm and thicken.
- If the sauce seems too thick, stir in 1–2 tablespoons water or apple juice to loosen it to your liking.
- For a slightly thicker, stickier glaze, cook uncovered for the last 15–20 minutes on HIGH, stirring occasionally so the sauce doesn’t scorch around the edges.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a party appetizer with toothpicks and a small bowl of extra sauce on the side for dipping.
- Pair with other easy snacks like cheese and crackers, veggie trays, and chips and dip for a complete game-day or holiday spread.
- Use leftovers as a fun topping for baked potatoes, rice bowls, or even as a hot dog-style filling in toasted rolls.
Tips
- Spray or lightly grease the slow cooker insert for easier cleanup and to prevent the sugary sauce from sticking.
- Taste your barbecue and cranberry sauces before mixing; if they’re very sweet, you can add an extra teaspoon of Dijon or a splash of vinegar to balance the flavor.
- Keep the slow cooker on the WARM setting once cooked if you’re serving over several hours, and stir occasionally to prevent the sausages from drying on the edges.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2–3 hours (LOW) or 1–1.5 hours (HIGH)
- Total Time: About 2 hours 10 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Protein: 7 g
- Sodium: 620–700 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make Cranberry Lil Smokies on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?
Yes. Add everything to a large saucepan and simmer over low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring often, until heated through and saucy. - Can I use regular-sized sausages or hot dogs?
You can slice regular hot dogs or smoked sausage into bite-size pieces and cook as directed; just keep an eye on the sauce so it doesn’t over-reduce. - How far in advance can I make these?
You can cook them up to a day ahead, cool, refrigerate, then reheat in the slow cooker on LOW until warmed through, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick. - Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes. Cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container with the sauce, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat gently in a saucepan or slow cooker.
Conclusion
Cranberry Lil Smokies are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines smoky sausages with a tangy-sweet cranberry glaze, perfect for holidays, potlucks, and game days. With minimal prep and a trusty slow cooker, you get big flavor with almost no effort. Set them out warm with toothpicks and watch them vanish from the table in no time.
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Cranberry Lil Smokies
- Total Time: About 2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Diet: Not vegetarian, not vegan (pork or beef sausages)
Description
Cranberry Lil Smokies are the ultimate sweet-and-savory party bite. Smoky cocktail sausages simmer in a glossy cranberry, barbecue, and Dijon glaze that’s tangy, slightly sweet, and totally addictive. With just a few pantry ingredients and your slow cooker doing the work, you’ll have an easy holiday appetizer that disappears fast at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (14 oz each) lil smokies sausages
- 1 cup cranberry sauce (canned jellied or whole-berry, or homemade)
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk or stir until smooth and fully combined.
- Place the lil smokies sausages into the bowl of a slow cooker.
- Pour the cranberry mixture over the sausages, then stir gently to coat all the lil smokies evenly in the sauce.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or on HIGH for 1–1.5 hours, until the lil smokies are heated through and the sauce is hot and slightly thickened.
- Give everything a gentle stir, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed (add a bit more barbecue sauce for smokiness or cranberry sauce for sweetness).
- Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, spooning extra sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness.
- Serve warm straight from the slow cooker (set to WARM) or from the platter, with toothpicks for easy snacking.
Notes
- Use your favorite style of cranberry sauce—jellied cranberry will make a smoother glaze, while whole-berry adds extra texture and tart bites.
- Both pork and beef lil smokies work well; just note that nutrition and saltiness will vary by brand and type.
- These are best served warm directly from the slow cooker on the WARM setting for parties that last several hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2–3 hours (LOW) or 1–1.5 hours (HIGH)
- Category: Appetizer, Party Food
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/10 of the recipe (approximately 6–8 lil smokies, depending on size)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 10–12 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 620–700 mg (approx., varies by sausage and sauces)
- Fat: 17 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 6 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 10–11 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0–0.5 g (varies by brand)
- Carbohydrates: 12 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 0–1 g (approx.)
- Protein: 7 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 35–40 mg (approx.)
Keywords: cranberry lil smokies, slow cooker appetizer, holiday party snack, cocktail sausages, sweet and savory lil smokies