Crock Pot BBQ Cocktail Sausage

My neighbor showed up at my door one Saturday morning with her crock pot tucked under one arm and a bag of little sausages in the other. She needed to borrow my counter space because her kitchen was being painted, and within an hour, my whole house smelled like a county fair. I had no idea something so simple could fill a room with that much warmth and anticipation. By the time her sauce started bubbling, I was already planning my next party around it.

I made this for a Super Bowl party once and forgot to buy toothpicks. Guests just started fishing sausages out with forks, then spoons, then eventually their fingers when no one was looking. The pot was empty before halftime, and I got three text messages the next day asking for the recipe. It became my signature move for every gathering after that, and I learned to always have backup toothpicks hidden in the drawer.

Ingredients

• Cocktail smoked sausages (2 lbs): Little Smokies are the classic choice, already fully cooked and perfectly bite sized, so they just need to soak up all that glaze.
• Barbecue sauce (1 cup): Use whatever bottle you already love because its personality will shine through, whether smoky, sweet, or tangy.
• Apricot jam (1 cup): This is the secret that makes people ask what makes it taste so different, adding a fruity sweetness that balances the smoke beautifully.
• Dijon mustard (2 tbsp): Sharpens the sweetness and adds a subtle kick that keeps the sauce from feeling one dimensional.
• Apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp): Cuts through the richness and wakes up all the other flavors with a bright little tang.
• Worcestershire sauce (1 tsp): Adds a savory depth that makes the whole thing feel more complex than it actually is.
• Black pepper (1/4 tsp): Just enough to remind your taste buds theres more going on than sugar and smoke.

Instructions

Mix the sauce:

In a medium bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, apricot jam, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until its smooth and glossy. Taste it now if you want to adjust the sweetness or tang before it goes in.

Load the crock pot:

Dump the cocktail sausages into your crock pot and pour the sauce over them, then stir gently to make sure every little sausage gets coated. It will look like a lot of sauce, but it will thicken and cling as it cooks.

Slow cook:

Cover and set it to LOW for 2 hours, stirring once around the halfway mark to redistribute the glaze. You will know its ready when the sauce is bubbling softly and the sausages look shiny and deeply coated.

Serve warm:

Keep the crock pot on the warm setting and set out toothpicks right beside it. People will hover around it for the entire event, so just accept that your counter is now a gathering spot.

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A friend once brought her teenage son to a potluck where I served these, and he planted himself next to the crock pot for the entire afternoon. He must have eaten twenty sausages while telling me about his basketball season, and when they left, his mom whispered that he never talks that much at home. Sometimes food is just the excuse people need to stay in one place long enough to connect.

Flavor Variations

Swap the apricot jam for grape jelly if you want a more traditional sweet and savory vibe, or try orange marmalade for a citrusy twist that feels a little fancy. I once used peach preserves because it was all I had, and it turned out even better than the original. If you like heat, stir in a pinch of cayenne or a few shakes of hot sauce before cooking, and the sweetness will temper it into a perfect sweet heat balance.

Keeping It Warm

The beauty of a crock pot is that you can leave it on warm for hours without any babysitting, making it ideal for long parties or open houses. Just give it a quick stir every hour or so to keep the sauce from settling on the bottom. If the sauce starts to thicken too much after a few hours, a tablespoon of water stirred in will bring it right back.

Serving Suggestions

These sausages are perfect on their own with toothpicks, but they also love being piled onto slider buns or served alongside pickles and cheese cubes on a snack board. Some people like to set out crackers or crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce at the bottom of the pot. I have also seen guests spoon them over rice or mashed potatoes when there are leftovers, turning an appetizer into an easy weeknight dinner.

• Have a small bowl nearby for used toothpicks so your counters stay tidy.
• Double the recipe if you are feeding a crowd because one batch disappears faster than you think.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave or back in the crock pot the next day.

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This recipe has never let me down, whether I am feeding a crowd or just want something easy and comforting on a lazy Sunday. It is proof that the best food does not have to be complicated, just made with a little attention and shared with people who appreciate it.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sauce mixture and refrigerate it up to 24 hours in advance. When ready to serve, add the sausages to the crock pot, pour the sauce over them, and cook as directed.

→ Can I use a different type of jam?

Absolutely! Grape jelly is a popular alternative to apricot jam. You can also try peach preserves, pineapple jam, or cherry preserves for different flavor profiles.

→ How do I keep the sausages warm for serving?

Keep the crock pot on the WARM setting throughout your event. The sausages will stay hot and ready to serve for several hours without overcooking.

→ Can I double this for a larger crowd?

Yes, you can double the ingredients if you have a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. The cooking time remains the same, just ensure you stir well to coat all the sausages evenly.

→ What can I serve with these sausages?

Serve with toothpicks for easy eating. Great accompaniments include crackers, crusty bread, pickles, cheese cubes, or potato chips. They also pair well with other party appetizers.

→ Can I cook these on HIGH instead of LOW?

Yes, you can cook on HIGH for 1 hour instead of LOW for 2 hours. Just watch carefully to ensure the sauce doesn't burn and stir occasionally.