Grape Jelly Little Smokies
16 Comments Mar 07, 2022
Updated Dec 21, 2023
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Grape jelly little smokies are the easiest appetizer to make, with only three ingredients, and in a few hours, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser. Whenever I make this recipe, everyone asks for the recipe! They have no idea how simple it is.
Usually, at parties, you will see grape jelly meatballs served; instead, surprise your guests with this little smokie version! You won’t regret it.
Table of Contents
What are little smokies?
Known as one of the most popular American side dishes and appetizer cuisines, little smokies are also known as cocktail sausages. They are much smaller than ordinary sausages and are perfect finger food.
You’ll almost always see these cocktail weenies served alongside a batch of toothpicks for easy picking and eating. Lil smokies come in various meat choices such as pork, beef, chicken, and turkey. These are the star of many super bowl parties.
Recipe Ingredients
- Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages – you’ll find a variety of brands in your local grocery store. I use pork and chicken from the Hillshire brand. You can also use the store-brand, these taste like mini smoked sausages.
- Chili Sauce – made with ripened tomatoes, garlic, and spices. It’ll add the perfect flavor to this crockpot little smokies recipe. This is NOT a spicy sauce, it almost tastes like ketchup. You will find this near the ketchup and mustard at your grocery store.
- Grape Jelly – you can use any brand of grape jelly. The sweetness pairs perfectly with the tangy chili sauce.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly. Or you can add this directly to the slow cooker and save cleaning an extra bowl.
Step Two – Pour the grape jelly little smokies mixture into the crock pot and cook on your desired heat setting (LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2.5-3 hours).
Variations
- Barbecue Sauce – instead of chili sauce, replace it with BBQ sauce. These also come in a variety of flavors (spicy, tangy, honey, etc.). Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce for more flavor.
- Spicy – if you’re looking to add some spice, consider adding sriracha, cayenne pepper, or some hot sauce. Or you can add one minced jalapeno to jazz up this recipe.
- Cranberry sauce – add one can of jellied cranberry sauce along with chili sauce and brown sugar to create a flavorful homemade base.
How to serve
- As an appetizer – Crockpot Grape Jelly Little Smokies are best served as an appetizer! Set out small plates next to your slow cooker and toothpicks for eating. Great for game days, birthdays, or even barbecues. You can’t go wrong with serving them right out of the crockpot alongside a cheese and cracker tray or a savory dip and spread of some kind.
- As the main course – Yes, some do eat these as the main course! I suggest a plain starchy side such as steamed white rice or mashed potatoes to soak up that delicious sauce. A steamed green veggie or green salad will also even out your meal.
Recipe FAQs
If you don’t have a crockpot, you can put everything in a pot and cook them over medium-low to medium heat. You’ll need to stir it often to keep the sauce from sticking (and scorching). You can also cook these in the oven in a similar way.
The combination of chili sauce will help level out the sweetness.
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the fridge. They will last for up to four days. If you opt-in for the freezer, ensure they are completely cooled, placed in a freezer-safe bag (or container), then stored. Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to reheat them, let them thaw in the fridge first. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Yes! Hot dogs are a GREAT choice if you prefer. Slice the hot dogs into thirds, cutting them on an angle. Hot dogs soak up the sauce nicely and do not get soggy in the crockpot.
You can use ketchup or barbecue sauce instead of chili sauce and still have a fantastic appetizer. Use about 1.5 cups of ketchup or barbecue sauce (or use a combination).
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Slow Cooker Grape Jelly Little Smokies Recipe
Ingredients
- 28 oz. Lit'l Smokies, two 14-oz. packages (I use pork and chicken)
- 18 oz. Concord grape jelly
- 12 oz. chili sauce
Instructions
- Drain the little smokies and place them in a medium-sized bowl. Add the chili sauce and grape jelly and stir. Or you can add everything to the slow cooker instead and stir.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH For 2.5-3 hours or LOW for 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with toothpicks for guests to eat the smokies with and enjoy!
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- Barbecue Sauce – instead of chili sauce, replace it with BBQ sauce. These also come in a variety of flavors (spicy, tangy, honey, etc.). Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce for more flavor.
- Spicy – if you’re looking to add some spice, consider adding sriracha, cayenne pepper, or some hot sauce. Or you can add one minced jalapeno to jazz up this recipe.
- Cranberry sauce – add one can of jellied cranberry sauce along with chili sauce and brown sugar to create a flavorful homemade base.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker BBQ Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker Little Smokies and Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
- Slow Cooker Spinach Dip {with or without artichokes}
- Slow Cooker Bourbon Hot Dogs
- Slow Cooker Hot Dog Chili
- Slow Cooker Taco Dip
Making this today. Already looks great!
Im making for the weekend. If i want to make more smokies do i just add them, or do i need to add more jelly and chili?
So easy and so delicious!
I used three packages of smokies well drained in a colander. I used 12 oz of Chile sauce and 12 oz of grape jelly. The sauce was runny. The sauce was too tangy for me. Next time I’m going to use a different brand of sauce. All I could get was the store brand, everything else was sold out.
Is it ok to substitute grape jam for grape jelly?
Yes, grape jam will work great.
I have made these in my crockpot for years & the sauce became thick enough to stick to the lil smokies. The last couple of times, it has not thickened up & is so runny it doesn’t cling to the smokies at all. Very disappointing. I don’t know what has changed. I always drain my smokies well out of their packaging. Any ideas?
Too much jelly. Need equal parts jelly to chili sauce
I agree that 18 oz. of jelly is too much. I don’t mind having some left over – one doesn’t need to use up the entire jar.
You can also increase the amount of sauce. Frankly if I ever make this recipe I might make the BBQ variation using the whole bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ sauce which typically comes in 18-oz. bottles (used that brand and flavor for the Dr. Pepper ribs recipe on this site and it was absolutely delicious…I think I’m in love with SBR’s Sweet & Smoky LOL)
I made these for a pot luck on Holy Thursday and they were very popular (no leftovers) though it seemed even with equal parts BBQ sauce to jelly it was still a bit runny…probably has to do with the way the jelly liquefies when heated. I’m wondering if maybe some cornstarch dissolved in some cold water might help thicken it a little more.
It’s supposed to be 12 oz of grape jelly, not 18 oz!
They don’t make 12 oz. jars of grape jelly where I live (any where). You can use 12 ounces if you choose though.
You may be interested to know that Grape Jelly comes in several sizes:
Smuckers 18 oz
Welches Squeeze 20 oz
Welches Concord 30 oz
Polaner 17.66 oz
Welches Concord 18oz.
This is not a scientific recipe, more a guideline and a matter of taste. If you like sweet, increase the jelly, if you like tangy increase the chili sauce. I make mine on the stove with the small package of cocktail sausages, about 1/2 jar of jelly and about 1/2 jar of chili sauce or cocktail sauce if that what is in the fridge. They simmer for hours giving the house wonderful aroma.
If you’re looking for equal balance between sauce and jelly you can use also use the whole bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce which usually comes in 18-oz. bottles and is likely what I’ll be using instead of Heinz chili sauce as I think I’m addicted to SBR’s Sweet & Smoky BBQ sauce 🙂