Save It My neighbor brought these to a block party once, and I watched the bowl empty in under twenty minutes. Little sausages glistening in a sweet tangy sauce, everyone hovering around the slow cooker with toothpicks in hand. I asked for the recipe right there, scribbled it on a napkin, and have been making them ever since. The combination of apricot jam and barbecue sauce sounded odd at first, but one bite and I understood why people kept coming back. Now I keep the ingredients stocked because you never know when you need a crowd pleaser fast.
I made these for a Super Bowl party where I expected maybe fifteen people, and thirty showed up. I panicked until I realized the sausages were the only thing I didnt run out of. People kept drifting back to the slow cooker, and by halftime, someone asked if I could make another batch. I couldnt, but the compliments made me feel like I had somehow saved the day. Since then, this recipe has become my insurance policy for any gathering.
Ingredients
- Cocktail smoked sausages: Little Smokies or any mini smoked sausage work perfectly here, their size makes them ideal for toothpick serving and they soak up the sauce beautifully without falling apart.
- Barbecue sauce: Use your favorite style whether sweet, smoky, or tangy because it sets the backbone flavor, and I have found that a thicker sauce clings better to the sausages than a runny one.
- Apricot jam: This is the secret weapon that adds a fruity sweetness and glossy finish, and preserves with small chunks work just as well as smooth jam for a bit of texture.
- Dijon mustard: It cuts through the sweetness with a sharp tang and helps emulsify the sauce so everything blends smoothly instead of separating.
- Apple cider vinegar: Just a tablespoon brightens the whole mix and keeps the sauce from tasting too heavy or cloying.
- Worcestershire sauce: It adds a subtle savory depth that rounds out the sweetness, and I always shake the bottle first to mix the sediment back in.
- Black pepper: A little pepper gives the sauce a gentle kick without making it spicy, and I like to add it at the beginning so the flavor mellows as it cooks.
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 the mixture is smooth and glossy. Make sure the jam is fully incorporated so you dont end up with sweet pockets and tangy gaps.
- Load the crock pot:
- Place the cocktail sausages in the crock pot in an even layer. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and stir gently to coat each sausage, scraping down the sides so nothing is wasted.
- Slow cook:
- Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for 2 hours, stirring halfway through to redistribute the sauce and ensure even heating. The sauce will bubble gently and thicken as it cooks, clinging to the sausages like a glaze.
- Serve warm:
- Keep the crock pot on the warm setting and serve directly from it with toothpicks, or transfer to a serving dish if you want to free up the cooker. The sausages will stay perfect for hours as long as they are kept warm.
Save It A friend once told me these sausages reminded her of church potlucks from her childhood, and I realized food like this carries more than flavor. It is the kind of dish that sits on a folding table surrounded by laughter and paper plates, simple enough that no one overthinks it but good enough that everyone remembers. I have served these at baby showers, holiday parties, and random weekend gatherings, and every time, they disappear before anything else.
Flavor Variations
If you want a spicy version, add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce mixture before cooking. I have also swapped apricot jam for grape jelly when I was out, and it gave the sausages a deeper sweetness that some people actually preferred. Pineapple preserves are another option if you want a tropical twist, and a splash of bourbon in the sauce adds a grown up edge that works surprisingly well.
Serving Suggestions
I like to set out toothpicks in a small cup next to the crock pot along with a stack of napkins because these get messy in the best way. Crusty bread or dinner rolls are great for soaking up extra sauce, and pickles or tangy coleslaw on the side cut through the sweetness. Potato chips and pretzels are easy additions that round out a snack spread without much effort.
Storage and Reheating
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days, and they reheat beautifully in the microwave or back in the slow cooker on low. The sauce thickens as it cools, so you may need to add a splash of water or barbecue sauce when reheating to bring it back to life. I have even frozen these in a freezer safe container for up to two months, then thawed them overnight in the fridge and reheated them for last minute gatherings.
- Always check sausage and barbecue sauce labels if you need this to be gluten free, as some brands sneak in wheat or malt.
- Double the recipe if you are feeding a crowd because one batch rarely lasts as long as you think it will.
- Keep the crock pot on warm instead of low once the cooking time is done to prevent the sauce from scorching on the edges.
Save It These little sausages have gotten me out of more tight spots than I can count, and they never fail to make people happy. Keep this recipe close, because the next time you need something easy, delicious, and guaranteed to vanish, you will be glad you have it.
Common Questions About Recipes
- → How long does this take to prepare?
Total time is just 2 hours 10 minutes, with only 10 minutes of hands-on prep work. The remaining 2 hours is hands-off slow cooking.
- → Can I make this ahead?
Yes. You can prepare the sauce mixture up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it. Add the sausages and sauce to your crock pot when ready to cook.
- → What sausages work best?
Mini smoked sausages like Little Smokies are ideal, but you can use any cocktail-sized smoked sausage. Check labels if preparing for gluten-free diets.
- → How can I add more flavor?
For a spicy version, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce. For a sweeter profile, substitute grape jelly for the apricot jam, or experiment with other jam varieties.
- → What should I serve with these sausages?
Serve with toothpicks for easy snacking, or pair with crusty bread, pickles, or potato chips. They're also delicious over rice or pasta as a main course option.
- → Can I keep these warm for a party?
Absolutely. After cooking, switch your crock pot to the WARM setting to keep the sausages at serving temperature throughout your event.