Ever find yourself staring at a party invite (potluck, football night—you know the drill), with absolutely no idea what snack to bring? The Mississippi Lil Smokies Recipe is like food magic. It’s so simple, ridiculously addictive, and somehow always disappears first. Trust me, your plate’ll be wiped clean before you even get a bite. If you’re into easy appetizers or maybe want something sweet after, you should honestly check out these 4 exquisite cheesecake recipes or—my dog’s obsessed—7 wholesome dog ice cream recipes for your furry plus-one. People beg for this, and for once, there’s no need to spill sauce on your shirt.
How To Make Mississippi Lil Smokies
I’m not joking when I say making these things is easier than hunting for your keys in the morning. First, just grab yourself a bag of those mini smoked sausages—I go for the biggest pack they sell at my local store. Then you’ll need a bottle of barbecue sauce (go wild, choose your favorite), some grape jelly (yes, jelly, trust me on this), and a scoop of brown sugar. If you want real Mississippi flavor, toss in a pack of ranch seasoning and a few pats of butter. Sounds funky, right? But somehow it just works.
Now all you have to do is dump everything in your Crockpot, give it a quick stir, and set it to low for about 3 hours. If you’re in a rush (been there), the stove on medium-low will also do, but don’t walk away or your lil smokies might go from delicious to disaster. My cousin actually forgot hers once and the smell lingered for two days—don’t be that guy.
Once it’s thickened and sticky and your whole kitchen smells like smoky heaven, you’re pretty much done. Scoop them out. Toothpicks? Optional, but they keep folks from double-dipping. For that ‘five-star restaurant’ drama, sprinkle some chopped parsley on top. Folks are always so impressed, which cracks me up because it’s laughably easy.
What To Serve With Lil Smokies
Mississippi Lil Smokies taste pretty epic on their own, but I get it. You want the full snack table to shine. Here are a few of my top serving suggestions…
- On Buttery Rolls: Slice open some soft Hawaiian rolls and stuff a few lil smokies inside for mini sandwiches that vanish in seconds.
- Beside Cheese Platters: Pile them up with cubes of cheddar and pepper jack—folks love mingling flavors.
- With Crunchy Veggies: Carrots, celery, even pickles soak up all that sweetness. Kinda odd, but trust me.
- Over Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Okay, weird flex, but this is my family’s favorite twist. Go wild.
And if you’re a comfort-food kinda soul, maybe slather them on bbq chicken flatbread or toss them with a scoop of the bourbon baked beans for a dinner that honestly…rocks.
| Component | Serving Size | Calories | Protein (g) | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Lil Smokies | 5 smokies | 200 | 8 | 15 | 7 | 10 |
| Turkey Sausage Option | 5 smokies | 150 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Plant-Based Sausage Option | 5 smokies | 180 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
Nutrition Facts
Let’s be real—no one eats Mississippi Lil Smokies for the kale content. But I get lots of questions from my calorie-counting friends, so here’s a quick lowdown. One serving (about 4 or 5 smokies, depending on your restraint) nets you something like 200-ish calories. It packs a little protein, some fat, and a solid dose of sugar and sodium (thanks to the jelly and sauce).
If you’re watching your health, swap for turkey sausages or go easy on the brown sugar. Oh, and skip the butter for a lightened-up batch, although—spoiler alert—it’s not quite as magical. I call this ‘balanced indulgence’ because, hey, you only live once and I’m not about to eat carrot sticks at a party.
“These smokies disappeared faster than any other snack at our block party! My kids already begged me to make these again for movie night.” — Emily, actual neighbor and fellow snack fanatic.
Tips for Perfecting Your Lil Smokies
Okay, this part’s crucial, especially if it’s your first rodeo with this Mississippi Lil Smokies Recipe. First off, don’t skimp on quality sausages. The bargain brand just doesn’t taste right—it gets kinda mushy. Always give everything a quick stir after adding to your slow cooker so you don’t end up with clumps of jelly in the corner (I made this mistake once, yikes). If you have picky eaters, half the batch without ranch seasoning is usually a safe bet.
And—small thing—I don’t recommend doubling the jelly unless you want a super-sweet overload. People always try to add more, but trust me, the original ratio wins every single time. Got leftovers? Weird if you do, but store them in a sealed box and reheat with a splash of water. Nothing goes to waste. Leftover sauce tastes pretty dang good drizzled over rice, by the way.
Variations of Mississippi Lil Smokies
Let’s talk jazzing up your usual Mississippi Lil Smokies Recipe. I’ve seen folks use hot pepper jelly instead of grape for a spicy-sweet hit. If you’re a fan of smoky BBQ, toss in chipotle powder. My neighbor swaps out barbecue sauce for sweet chili sauce when she’s feeling fancy, and honestly, it hits different.
Veggie lovers have even tried this with plant-based sausages—the flavor’s a little less classic, but still solid. Some bold souls top their lil smokies with shredded cheese or spicy jalapenos for a nacho-style twist. If you ever end up with any spare sauce, drizzle it on a baked potato for a full Southern moment. You can even serve them party-style on a stick, like I did that one tailgate. Sky’s the limit with these.
Common Questions
Q: Can I make Mississippi Lil Smokies ahead of time?
A: Totally. Just cook them up, refrigerate, and warm them when you’re ready. They taste even richer the next day.
Q: Is there a stovetop version for last-minute parties?
A: Yup. Dump everything in a big pot on medium-low, stir frequently, and you’ll be snack-ready in under 40 minutes.
Q: Do these freeze well?
A: You bet. Freeze in a big bag, thaw overnight, and reheat. The texture holds up just fine (surprisingly!).
Q: What’s the best brand of sausages?
A: I like Hillshire Farm or Eckrich, but any mini smoked sausage will do. Just skip the extra-salty store brands, they get weirdly rubbery.
Q: Can I make this Mississippi Lil Smokies Recipe gluten free?
A: Yep. Check your sauce and ranch pack for gluten, and you’re golden.
Give These Lil Smokies a Whirl—You Won’t Regret It
If you want to wow a crowd with basically no effort, the Mississippi Lil Smokies Recipe is where it’s at. It works for lazy nights and big parties both. I mean, if you get the urge to branch out, these other ideas exist, like the creative suggestions on Mississippi Lil Smokies | Buns In My Oven or the slow cooker tips from Crock Pot Mississippi Lit’l Smokies – The Country Cook. You’ll be the hero of snack time, promise. So just try it, let me know how it goes, and maybe don’t forget the napkins.
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Mississippi Lil Smokies
- Total Time: 190 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free Option Available
Description
An easy and addictive appetizer featuring mini smoked sausages simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for parties and potlucks.
Ingredients
- 1 pack of mini smoked sausages
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup grape jelly
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Combine mini smoked sausages, barbecue sauce, grape jelly, brown sugar, ranch seasoning, and butter in a Crockpot.
- Stir everything together until well mixed.
- Cook on low for 3 hours or on medium-low on the stove, stirring frequently.
- Once thickened, serve with toothpicks and garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Feel free to substitute turkey sausages or plant-based sausages for a lighter option. Adjust the sweetness by regulating the amount of brown sugar and jelly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 smokies
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 30mg