Save My neighbor handed me a slow cooker full of these sausages at a Super Bowl party about five years ago, and I watched them disappear in twenty minutes flat. The combination of sweet apricot and smoky barbecue seemed almost too simple to work, but that first bite converted me instantly. Now whenever I need an appetizer that requires almost no last-minute attention, this is my go-to move. The best part? People always ask for the recipe thinking there's some secret technique involved when really it's just throwing things together and letting time do the work.
I made these for my daughter's soccer team gathering last spring, and two parents asked if I could bring them to every event afterward. Watching a room of hungry kids and adults circle the slow cooker with toothpicks in hand reminded me that sometimes the simplest foods create the most genuine moments together. That day convinced me these belong on rotation for any casual gathering.
Ingredients
- Cocktail smoked sausages: Two pounds of Little Smokies or similar brands work beautifully, and they're usually found in the deli or packaged meat section. I learned to use the fully cooked kind since they just need warming through rather than actual cooking.
- Barbecue sauce: Pick your favorite brand or make your own, whether that's a smoky, spicy, or mild version. The sauce carries most of the flavor, so don't shy away from using something you genuinely enjoy eating.
- Apricot jam or preserves: This is the secret player that balances the smokiness with a natural sweetness and slight fruity tang. Don't use apricot nectar or juice here since you need the body and thickness of actual jam.
- Dijon mustard: Two tablespoons adds a subtle sharpness that keeps the sauce from becoming one-dimensional sweet. This is also where some of the depth comes from.
- Apple cider vinegar: Just one tablespoon brightens everything up and prevents the sauce from tasting heavy or cloying.
- Worcestershire sauce: A teaspoon gives umami depth that makes people pause and wonder what you did to make it taste so balanced.
- Black pepper: A quarter teaspoon grounds the sweetness with a gentle spice that shouldn't be skipped.
Instructions
- Build your sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apricot jam, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper until you reach a smooth consistency with no jam lumps remaining. This takes about two minutes and ensures the flavors meld rather than settling separately.
- Load the crock pot:
- Dump all two pounds of cocktail sausages into your slow cooker without any fuss. They'll nestle together naturally without needing any special arrangement.
- Coat everything:
- Pour that glossy sauce mixture over the sausages and give them a good stir so each one gets coated with the goodness. This is the only moment of actual hands-on work, so make it count.
- Low and slow approach:
- Cover the crock pot and set it to LOW heat for two hours, stirring halfway through the cooking time to redistribute the sauce. You'll know they're ready when the sauce is bubbling gently at the edges and the sausages are heated through.
- Serve with style:
- Transfer everything to a serving dish with toothpicks on the side, or let guests dig straight from the crock pot if you're keeping it casual. Either way, they disappear fast.
Save My mother-in-law tasted these at Thanksgiving and made them the centerpiece of her New Year's appetizer spread, which felt like the highest compliment she could give my cooking. Now whenever we gather, someone inevitably asks if the sausages are coming, and that's when I know I've found something worth keeping around.
Flavor Customization Ideas
The beauty of this recipe lies in how easily you can shift the flavor profile by swapping just one or two ingredients. I've experimented enough times to know that the structure is solid and flexible, so feel free to play around once you've made it the traditional way. The sauce-to-sausage ratio stays the same, which keeps everything balanced regardless of what variations you try.
Make It Your Own
For heat seekers, adding a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the sauce mixture brings a pleasant kick that doesn't overpower the sweetness. Grape jelly works as a direct substitute for the apricot jam if you prefer a more classic flavor, though the taste shifts toward something closer to traditional cocktail sauce. You can also bump up the Worcestershire sauce slightly if you want more umami or add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for extra depth.
- Spicy version: Add cayenne or hot sauce to the sauce mixture and taste as you go since heat builds over cooking time.
- Grape jelly swap: Use the same amount of grape jelly for a more traditional approach that reads as comfort food.
- Make ahead: Mix the sauce the night before and simply dump everything into the crock pot when you're ready to cook.
Save 
These sausages have shown up at more gatherings in my life than I expected, and every time they do, they bring people together in that effortless way good food should. Make them once, and you'll find yourself pulling out the recipe card whenever you need an appetizer that delivers without stress.
Cooking Guide
- → Can I use a different type of sausage?
Yes, you can use any mini smoked sausages or cut regular smoked sausages into bite-sized pieces. Just ensure they're fully cooked varieties suitable for heating.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Prepare the sausages and sauce mixture, then refrigerate overnight. The next day, pour into the crock pot and cook as directed. This actually enhances the flavor.
- → What can I substitute for apricot jam?
Grape jelly, peach preserves, or pineapple jam work wonderfully. Each brings a unique sweetness that complements the tangy barbecue sauce beautifully.
- → How do I keep these warm for serving?
Keep the crock pot on the warm setting throughout your event. The sausages will stay at the perfect serving temperature for hours without drying out.
- → Can I cook these on high heat instead?
Yes, cook on high for 1 to 1.5 hours instead of 2 hours on low. Stir occasionally and watch to prevent the sauce from burning.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or back in the crock pot until warmed through.