Succulent meats always taste better when slow-cooked with rich crockpot smoky BBQ delights dancing through tender layers of flavor.
Every kitchen deserves a recipe that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
These mouthwatering recipes promise to infuse your meal with deep, hearty smokiness that lingers long after the first bite.
Slow cooking unlocks incredible depths of flavor, making even the most basic ingredients sing with robust character.
Weekend gatherings call for dishes that spark conversation and bring people together around the table.
The magic happens when spices meld and proteins become impossibly tender.
Dive into this recipe and watch your dinner become the star of the show.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Calories: 216 kcal
Servings: 13
Ingredients for Crockpot Smoky BBQs
For Protein Base:
Little Smokies Sausage Links: Bite-sized crowd-pleasing protein that delivers smoky flavor and hearty texture, perfect for easy party appetizers or game day snacking.
For Sauce Foundation:
BBQ Sauce: Provides deep, tangy base with signature barbecue sweetness and complexity, selecting a high-quality sauce enhances overall dish flavor.
Brown Sugar: Adds rich caramelized sweetness and helps create glossy sauce coating, look for fresh, clump-free crystals.
Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces umami depth and subtle tang, bringing sophisticated background notes to the sauce.
For Seasoning Enhancers:
Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated savory undertone without raw garlic bite, ensuring consistent flavor distribution.
Slow Cooker: Your main kitchen hero for hands-off, delicious cooking.
Medium Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the smoky BBQ sauce.
Whisk: Essential for blending sauce ingredients smoothly and quickly.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps you get ingredient quantities just right.
How to Cook Crockpot Smoky BBQs All Day
Smoky Sausage Sensation
Crockpot Setup Nestle the sausage links gently into your slow cooker, creating a single layer that allows each morsel to soak up maximum flavor.
Sauce Magic Blend tangy BBQ sauce with rich brown sugar, adding a splash of Worcestershire for depth. Sprinkle in garlic and onion powders, then dust with a hint of smoky paprika. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a glossy, irresistible coating.
Slow Cook Transformation Drench the sausages completely in the luscious sauce, ensuring every link gets a luxurious bath. Secure the lid and let the crockpot work its culinary magic. After 2-3 hours, you'll have tender, sticky sausages that'll make mouths water and guests cheer.
Flavor Enhancements for Smoky BBQ Bites
Sweet & Tangy Sauce Swap: Experiment with different BBQ sauce brands or styles like honey mustard, spicy chipotle, or Carolina-style sauce to create unique flavor profiles that match your taste preferences.
Boozy Flavor Kick: Add a splash of bourbon, dark rum, or beer to the sauce mixture for a deeper, more complex taste that elevates the classic little smokies recipe with an adult-friendly twist.
Spice Level Adjustment: Sprinkle in red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to dial up the heat, or keep it mild for those who prefer less spiciness. Control the kick based on your guests' spice tolerance.
Garnish and Serve Brilliance: Top the finished smokies with chopped green onions, crispy bacon bits, or toasted sesame seeds just before serving to add texture and an extra layer of flavor that makes the dish look and taste more gourmet.
Serving BBQs With Buns or Rice
Flavor-Packed Party Platter: Arrange these smoky sausages on a large wooden board with toothpicks, surrounded by crisp pickle spears and tangy mustard dipping sauces for an irresistible appetizer spread that'll have guests diving in.
Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Serve these BBQ smokies alongside crispy potato wedges, coleslaw, and cornbread for a hearty sports watching meal that satisfies hungry fans with minimal kitchen effort.
Tailgate Transport Trick: Pack these saucy sausages in a thermal container for outdoor events, keeping them warm and delicious for hours, perfect for picnics, beach trips, or backyard gatherings where finger foods reign supreme.
Brunch Bonus Move: Mix these smoky sausages into scrambled eggs or nestle them beside hash browns for a protein-packed weekend breakfast that transforms a simple morning meal into something special.
Best Way to Store Smoky BBQ Leftovers
Smart Party Prep: Whip up these smoky sausages a day before your gathering. They'll taste even better as the flavors meld overnight, making your game day or potluck prep super easy.
Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Seal leftover sausages in an airtight container. These tasty bites will stay fresh for 3-4 days when chilled, perfect for quick snacks or lunch additions.
Freezer-Friendly Hack: Portion cooled sausages into freezer bags, removing excess air. They'll maintain delicious flavor for up to 2 months, ready to reheat for unexpected guests or busy weeknights.
Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated or thawed sausages gently in the microwave or skillet. Add a splash of extra BBQ sauce to revive moisture and keep that mouthwatering smoky taste intact.
Slow-cooked smoky BBQ delights emerge as a mouthwatering centerpiece for comfort meals. Tender meats infused with rich spices and tangy sauce promise a delectable experience you’ll savor with every hearty bite.
Ingredients
Scale
2 packages (16 oz / 454 g) little smokies sausage links
2 cups bbq sauce
¼ cup brown sugar
1 ½ tbsps Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
Preparation: Arrange sausage links in a uniform layer at the bottom of the crockpot, creating an ideal surface for sauce absorption.
Sauce Creation: Whisk together BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to develop a complex, multilayered flavor profile that will infuse the sausages with rich, smoky notes.
Coating Process: Thoroughly drench the sausage links with the prepared sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage to guarantee maximum flavor penetration.
Slow Cooking: Cover the crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing the ingredients to simmer and meld together for 2-3 hours until the sauce thickens and the sausages become tender and glossy.
Serving Preparation: Gently stir the sausages to redistribute the caramelized sauce, creating a mouthwatering dish with a perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavors, ready to be enjoyed immediately.
Notes
Optimize Sauce Coating: Ensure every sausage link is completely and evenly covered with the BBQ glaze to maximize flavor penetration and consistent taste.
Control Cooking Temperature: Maintain a steady low heat setting to prevent burning and allow gradual caramelization of the sugars in the sauce.
Layer Flavor Strategically: Whisk spices thoroughly into the sauce before pouring to guarantee even distribution of complex taste profiles.
Watch Cooking Time Carefully: Avoid overcooking by checking sausages at the 2-hour mark, as slow cookers can vary in heating intensity and might complete cooking faster than expected.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.