Save to Pinterest The smell hit me before I even opened the door, that sticky sweet smoke that means someones hosting and doing it right. My neighbor had a crock pot plugged in on her porch during a block party, and I watched people circle back three, four times for these little sausages glistening in a sauce that clung like candy. She handed me the recipe on a napkin, apricot jam scribbled in blue pen, and I made it the next weekend for a football game. The pot was empty by halftime.
I brought this to a potluck once where someone had made a complicated charcuterie tower, and by the end of the night, my little sausages were gone and the fancy stuff was still half full. A guy asked if Id catered it. I just laughed and said it was five ingredients and a slow cooker. He looked genuinely confused, like Id pulled off a magic trick. Thats the power of a sauce that shines and a dish that stays hot without babysitting.
Ingredients
- Cocktail smoked sausages: Little Smokies or any mini sausage will do, just make sure theyre fully cooked so all youre doing is heating and glazing them.
- Barbecue sauce: Your favorite brand works, whether its smoky, sweet, or spicy, because the jam will round it out and add body.
- Apricot jam: This is the secret weapon, it melts into the sauce and gives it a fruity sweetness that balances the tang and smoke.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a slight sharpness and helps emulsify the sauce so it clings to every sausage instead of pooling at the bottom.
- Apple cider vinegar: A small splash cuts through the sweetness and keeps the sauce from tasting flat or one note.
- Worcestershire sauce: Brings umami and depth, a little funky, a little savory, and it makes the sauce taste more complex than it is.
- Black pepper: Just enough to add a whisper of heat without competing with the sweetness.
Instructions
- Mix the sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apricot jam, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until its smooth and glossy. It should look like liquid candy.
- Add the sausages:
- Dump the cocktail sausages into your crock pot, then pour the sauce over them and give it a good stir so every piece gets coated. Dont worry if it looks like too much sauce, it will thicken as it cooks.
- Slow cook:
- Cover and set the crock pot to LOW for 2 hours, stirring once halfway through to make sure nothing sticks and the sauce redistributes. The sausages will plump up and the sauce will bubble and cling.
- Serve warm:
- Keep the crock pot on warm and set out a cup of toothpicks, or transfer everything to a serving dish if youre feeling fancy. Either way, theyll disappear fast.
Save to Pinterest I made these for a kids birthday party once, thinking theyd be for the adults, and the children devoured them. One little girl asked if I sold them in a store. Her mom gave me a look that said, What did you put in these, and I just shrugged and said apricot jam like it was a normal thing. Now I get requests every time theres a gathering, and Ive stopped pretending its a hassle because honestly, its the easiest win in my kitchen.
Keeping It Warm
The beauty of a crock pot is that you can leave it on the warm setting for hours without drying anything out. The sauce stays glossy and the sausages stay tender, so people can graze all afternoon or evening without you lifting a finger. I once left mine on for five hours during a Super Bowl party and the last sausage tasted just as good as the first. Just give it a gentle stir every hour or so to keep the sauce from settling, and youll be golden.
Flavor Swaps
If you cant find apricot jam or just want to switch it up, grape jelly is the classic alternative and makes the sauce a little sweeter and more neutral. Peach preserves work beautifully too, adding a softer fruitiness that pairs well with smoky barbecue sauce. I tried cherry jam once and it was almost too tart, but if you like bold flavors, go for it. The mustard and vinegar are flexible too, you can use yellow mustard or even a little honey mustard if thats what you have, and red wine vinegar or lemon juice can sub in for the apple cider vinegar without missing a beat.
Serving Suggestions
These sausages dont need much backup, but if youre building a spread, set out some crusty bread for soaking up extra sauce, a jar of dill pickles for crunch and tang, or a bowl of sturdy potato chips for scooping. I like to put out a small dish of extra toothpicks and napkins because people will stand around the crock pot and eat directly from it, laughing and talking with sticky fingers. Its that kind of dish, the kind that makes people linger in the kitchen instead of sitting down.
- Serve alongside cheese and crackers for a full appetizer table.
- Pair with coleslaw or a simple green salad to balance the sweetness.
- Offer a few different hot sauces on the side for guests who like extra heat.
Save to Pinterest This recipe has bailed me out more times than I can count, and it never feels like cheating even though its almost too easy. Plug it in, walk away, and come back to a kitchen that smells like a backyard cookout.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, you can substitute with mini kielbasa, beef cocktail sausages, or turkey sausages. Adjust cooking time slightly if using larger sausages, adding 30 minutes to ensure they're heated through.
- → How do I make this spicier?
Add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, a few dashes of hot sauce, or use a spicy barbecue sauce. You can also include diced jalapeños for extra heat and texture.
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Mix the sauce and sausages in the crock pot insert the night before, cover, and refrigerate. In the morning, place the insert in the slow cooker and cook as directed.
- → What can I substitute for apricot jam?
Grape jelly, peach preserves, or pineapple jam work wonderfully. Each brings a unique sweetness that pairs beautifully with the tangy barbecue sauce.
- → How long can I keep these warm in the crock pot?
Once cooked, switch to the WARM setting and they'll stay perfectly heated for 2-3 hours during your party. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- → Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, just ensure you use gluten-free barbecue sauce and check that your cocktail sausages are certified gluten-free. Verify Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free as well.