Save My cousin texted me fifteen minutes before people started arriving at his Super Bowl party asking if I could bring something warm that didn't require oven space. I raided my pantry and threw together these sausages in my slow cooker, and honestly, they disappeared faster than the actual game highlights. The sweet-tangy sauce with that hit of apricot jam turned something so simple into the thing everyone kept coming back to all afternoon.
I watched my roommate's face light up when she tasted one straight from the crock pot, and she immediately asked for the recipe so she could make them for her book club. That's when I realized these little sausages had crossed over from party filler to something people actually remember and request.
Ingredients
- Cocktail Smoked Sausages (2 lbs): The little smokies are your anchor here, already smoked and ready to go, which means you're mostly just heating and flavoring them rather than cooking from scratch.
- Barbecue Sauce (1 cup): Pick whatever style you love because it sets the whole flavor direction, whether you go smoky, vinegary, or thick and sweet.
- Apricot Jam or Preserves (1 cup): This is the secret weapon that makes the sauce glossy and adds an unexpected fruity warmth that cuts through the smokiness beautifully.
- Dijon Mustard (2 tbsp): Don't skip this because it adds a subtle tang and helps emulsify the sauce so it clings to each sausage instead of pooling at the bottom.
- Apple Cider Vinegar (1 tbsp): This brightens everything up and keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy or one-dimensional on your palate.
- Worcestershire Sauce (1 tsp): A tiny amount gives you that savory depth that makes people wonder what you did to make them taste so good.
- Black Pepper (1/4 tsp): Just enough to add a whisper of bite without overpowering the sweet and smoky balance.
Instructions
- Build Your Sauce:
- Whisk together the barbecue sauce, apricot jam, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper in a medium bowl until everything is smooth and there are no jam lumps hiding anywhere. This only takes a few minutes and you'll notice how the jam starts to break down and meld with the other flavors.
- Load the Slow Cooker:
- Dump all your cocktail sausages into the crock pot and give them a quick stir to make sure they're in a single layer as much as possible. This helps them heat evenly and get coated properly.
- Coat and Cook:
- Pour that gorgeous sauce mixture right over the sausages and stir everything together so each little guy gets kissed with the glaze. Set the crock pot to LOW and cover it up.
- The Halfway Stir:
- About an hour in, give everything a good stir to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom and the sauce is coating evenly. This is also when you'll start noticing how incredible it smells.
- Finish and Serve:
- After two hours on LOW, the sausages will be heated through and the sauce will be bubbling gently around them with that beautiful glossy sheen. Serve them straight from the crock pot with toothpicks or transfer to a serving dish if you want to free up counter space.
Save There was this moment when someone brought their elderly mom to a neighborhood gathering and she went back for a fourth sausage, telling her son she hadn't had anything this good at a party in years. That's when I understood that simple food made with a little thought can mean so much more than fancy appetizers ever could.
Flavor Tweaks That Work
I learned pretty quickly that this sauce is incredibly forgiving and begs to be played with. If you want heat, a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few good dashes of hot sauce slips in seamlessly without taking over. For a different direction entirely, try swapping the apricot jam for grape jelly or even peach preserves, which each brings their own personality to the party.
What to Serve Alongside
These work beautifully on their own with just a toothpick, but I've found they're even more special when you give people options to build their own little bites. Crusty bread lets people make tiny open-faced sandwiches if they want something more substantial, while pickles and chips add textural contrast and help cut through the richness of the sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can mix that sauce together the night before and just store it in the fridge, then dump it with the sausages and sauce into the crock pot right before your event starts. If you have leftovers, they keep beautifully in an airtight container for three or four days and honestly taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to get to know each other.
- Make the sauce up to a day ahead to save yourself time on party day.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container and they'll keep for three to four days.
- Reheat gently in a low oven or back in the slow cooker so the sauce stays glossy and the sausages don't dry out.
Save These little sausages have a way of becoming the unexpected star of whatever gathering you bring them to. They're proof that the best party food doesn't need to be complicated, just thoughtfully made with ingredients that actually know how to play well together.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use a different type of jam instead of apricot?
Yes, grape jelly is a popular alternative that creates a slightly sweeter flavor profile. Peach or pineapple preserves also work well with the barbecue sauce.
- → How do I make this spicier?
Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the sauce mixture or incorporate a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. You can also use a spicy barbecue sauce as your base.
- → Can I cook these on HIGH instead of LOW?
Yes, you can cook on HIGH for 1 hour instead of LOW for 2 hours. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating and sauce distribution.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Store cooled sausages in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or back in the slow cooker until warmed through.
- → Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free barbecue sauce and verify that your cocktail sausages are gluten-free. Check Worcestershire sauce labels as some brands contain gluten.
- → What should I serve alongside these sausages?
These pair wonderfully with crusty bread, dill pickles, potato chips, cheese cubes, or vegetable crudités. They're perfect as part of a larger appetizer spread.