Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Little Smokies are an easy Crockpot appetizer made with cocktail sausages, whole-berry cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar. Stir everything together, cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1 1/2–2 hours, and serve the hot, glossy sausages with toothpicks.
Every bite brings together smoky savory sausage, tangy barbecue flavor, sweet brown sugar, and bright cranberry tartness. This simple appetizer takes only 5–10 minutes to prepare, making it ideal for holiday gatherings, game-day spreads, potlucks, and relaxed family parties.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
These cranberry BBQ Little Smokies are the kind of appetizer that disappears before the main meal begins. The recipe uses a short list of familiar ingredients, and the slow cooker does nearly all the work while you prepare the rest of the menu.
The sauce has a satisfying balance of sweet, tangy, fruity, and smoky flavors. Whole-berry cranberry sauce leaves small pieces of cranberry throughout the glaze, giving the finished dish more texture than a plain smooth sauce.
Little Smokies are also a practical party food because they are already bite-sized. Guests can pick them up with toothpicks, and the slow cooker can keep them warm for up to about 2 hours with occasional stirring.
If you are planning a complete Crockpot menu, a warm bowl of slow cooker chicken tortilla soup makes a cozy companion for a casual gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list is short, but each item contributes something important to the final glaze. Choose beef or pork Little Smokies according to your preference; either variety works well with the cranberry barbecue sauce.
- Little Smokies: One 14-ounce package of beef or pork cocktail sausages provides the savory, smoky center of the appetizer.
- Whole-berry cranberry sauce: One 14-ounce can supplies fruity tartness and small berry pieces. Jellied cranberry sauce can be used for a smoother glaze, but whole-berry is the most common choice.
- Barbecue sauce: One cup brings smoky, tangy seasoning and helps create the rich coating.
- Light brown sugar: One-half cup packed adds sweetness and helps the sauce become glossy as it cooks.
- Optional additions: Use one tablespoon of orange juice or water only if the mixture needs loosening. Garlic powder adds savory depth, while Worcestershire sauce contributes a pleasant salty tang.
Because the sausages release some moisture as they heat, resist the urge to add extra liquid at the beginning. A thick-looking sauce in the uncooked Crockpot usually becomes thinner while hot, then thickens slightly as it cools.
For another comforting slow-cooker main dish to serve at a larger buffet, consider this chicken cordon bleu variation alongside a fresh salad and crusty bread.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Add the whole-berry cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, and packed light brown sugar to the slow-cooker insert. If using them, add the orange juice or water, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce, then stir until the ingredients are reasonably combined.
Step 2: Pour the Little Smokies into the sauce mixture. Toss gently with a large spoon or silicone spatula so every sausage receives a coating without breaking apart the cranberry pieces.
Step 3: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours, or on HIGH for 1 1/2–2 hours. The sausages are ready when they are hot throughout and the sauce looks glossy and slightly thickened.
Step 4: Stir once or twice during cooking, especially if you are nearby during the final hour. Stirring redistributes the sauce and helps keep the sausages at the edges from drying out.
Step 5: Check the consistency before serving. If you want a thicker glaze, remove the lid during the final 20–30 minutes on HIGH, allowing some moisture to escape while the sausages remain warm.
Step 6: Transfer the finished Little Smokies to a serving bowl or place the slow cooker directly on a buffet-safe surface. Provide toothpicks or small appetizer forks so guests can serve themselves easily.
For a dinner-party menu with the same cozy Crockpot style, slow cooker beef stroganoff can follow these bite-sized appetizers.
Pro Tips for the Best Glaze
Use a barbecue sauce whose flavor you already enjoy because it forms a large part of the finished taste. A smoky sauce creates a deeper party-style flavor, while a sweeter sauce makes the cranberry notes especially noticeable.
Stir the sauce ingredients before adding the sausages so the brown sugar begins distributing evenly. It does not need to dissolve completely at this stage; the heat will help it blend into the cranberry and barbecue mixture.
Do not cook far beyond the recommended time. Little Smokies are fully cooked cocktail sausages, so the goal is to heat them through and allow the glaze to develop rather than simmering them all day.
If the sauce is too thick before cooking, add the optional one tablespoon of orange juice or water. Avoid adding more unless truly necessary, since excess liquid can leave the finished glaze loose.
For a brighter flavor, choose orange juice as the optional liquid. For a neutral adjustment that will not noticeably change the taste, use water instead.
When serving a crowd, make the recipe in a larger slow cooker if doubling. The doubled quantities are 2 packages of sausages, 2 cans of cranberry sauce, 2 cups of barbecue sauce, and 1 cup of brown sugar.
A hearty party spread can also include slow cooker cube steak with mashed potatoes, giving guests a more substantial option after enjoying the appetizers.
Serving, Storage & Reheating
Serve the Little Smokies directly from the slow cooker on the warm setting, or spoon them into a shallow serving dish for easier access. Small appetizer forks work well when the sauce is plentiful, while toothpicks are perfect for casual gatherings.
Keep the cooked sausages warm for up to about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. This helps distribute the glaze and prevents the sauce from settling around the edges of the insert.
Leftovers should be cooled promptly and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently until hot, using a saucepan or microwave, and stir occasionally so the sauce warms evenly.
If the glaze becomes very thick after chilling, a small amount of liquid can loosen it during reheating. Add only what is needed, since the sauce should remain thick enough to cling to each sausage.
For a festive buffet, place the bowl near napkins, toothpicks, and a small spoon for guests who want extra cranberry BBQ sauce. A garnish of fresh orange zest or a few whole cranberries can add color, although the recipe is complete without garnish.
For another centerpiece-style slow-cooker dish, Mississippi pot roast brings rich, savory flavor to the same relaxed entertaining plan.
Easy Variations for Every Gathering
The basic recipe is flexible without requiring major changes. Beef Little Smokies offer a classic smoky taste, while pork cocktail sausages provide a slightly milder and richer bite.
Whole-berry cranberry sauce is the best choice when you want visible cranberry pieces. Jellied cranberry sauce creates a smoother, more uniform coating and is a good option for guests who prefer a silky glaze.
You can also adjust the optional seasonings to suit the rest of your menu. Worcestershire sauce emphasizes savory flavor, garlic powder adds gentle warmth, and orange juice gives the cranberry mixture a subtle citrus note.
For a larger holiday party, double all of the quantities rather than estimating extra sauce. Cook until the sausages are hot and the glaze is glossy, stirring once or twice to keep the expanded batch evenly coated.
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Little Smokies
Ingredients
Method
- Add the cranberry sauce, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and any optional orange juice or water, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce to the slow-cooker insert. Stir until the mixture is reasonably combined.
- Add the Little Smokies and toss gently until the sausages are coated in the cranberry barbecue mixture.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 1 1/2–2 hours, until the sausages are hot and the sauce is glossy and slightly thickened. Stir once or twice during cooking.
- Serve hot with toothpicks or small appetizer forks. If needed, keep the sausages warm for up to about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Little Smokies are an effortless appetizer with a memorable sweet-and-savory glaze. With only 5–10 minutes of prep and flexible LOW or HIGH cooking times, they fit comfortably into busy holiday and party schedules.
Let the Crockpot keep the sausages warm, set out toothpicks, and watch this colorful appetizer vanish from the serving bowl. The combination of smoky cocktail sausages, tangy barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and cranberry is simple, festive, and reliably loved by guests.