Add Us As A Trusted Google Source Cannellini Bean and Sausage Soup
»
Sweet and Spicy Lil Beef Smokies
Published: September 10, 2024
My Curated Tastes is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When I got my first apartment and had my first “house warming party”, a version of this recipe was on the menu. It was fast, easy and those 20-year-old guys chowed down like there was no tomorrow! You know what they say, the way to the heart is through the stomach? This recipe proved it! I’ve since switched to all beef smokies and have cut out a lot of the added sugar (still a little ketchup in there for good measure), but you know what? No one is missing it and these things still disappear…and the guys are a lot older. LOL They are perfect for big get togethers, game day, Super Bowl and on this year’s Oktoberfest buffet! Sweet and Spicy Lil Beef Smokies are here to stay. And I’ve got to say, this is one of my all time favorite lil smokies recipes (and I’ve tried dozens of them!). Beef sausages are a must in my family since several members won’t eat pork, but pork, turkey and chicken sausages all work in this recipe too. If you are a sausage lover, don’t miss my knockwurst and sauerkraut recipe.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is a crowd-pleaser for one simple reason: the sauce is doing all the heavy lifting. The combination of a brown sugar substitute, ketchup, fruit preserves, and prepared horseradish creates a perfectly balanced glaze — sweet enough to satisfy, with just enough heat to keep people reaching for more. Cooking the smokies low and slow in the crock pot lets that sauce thicken up and cling to every sausage, deepening the flavor over time. Because the beef smokies are already precooked, there’s virtually no prep — just dump, stir, and walk away. The recipe is also incredibly flexible: swap the fruit preserves, dial the heat up or down, use any protein you like. It’s the kind of effortlessly reliable appetizer that looks like you put in way more effort than you did, which is exactly why it’s been a party staple for decades.
Ingredients in This Lil Smokies Recipe
Miniature Beef Smoked Sausage Links The star of the show. Miniature beef smokies are the perfect bite-sized vehicle for this sweet and spicy sauce. They’re already precooked, so all you’re really doing is warming them through and letting them soak up all that flavor. Using all-beef links makes this recipe accessible to anyone who doesn’t eat pork, and their slightly smoky, savory flavor is the ideal counterpoint to the sweetness in the sauce.
Brown Sugar Substitute (Swerve or Lakanto Monk Fruit) This is where the “sweet” in sweet and spicy comes from. Using a brown sugar substitute lets you get all of that deep, caramel-like sweetness without the added sugar. It dissolves beautifully into the sauce and helps it thicken as it cooks. If you don’t need to watch your sugar intake, regular brown sugar works just as well here.
Ketchup Don’t underestimate the ketchup — it’s a quiet powerhouse in this sauce. It adds a touch of tangy sweetness, a hint of tomato depth, and helps give the sauce its body and glossy finish. It also ties together the other ingredients in a way that makes the whole sauce taste cohesive and familiar without being too obvious.
Sugar-Free Blackberry Preserves This is the ingredient that makes people pause and say “wait, what IS that flavor?” The blackberry preserves bring a fruity, jammy sweetness and a subtle tartness that elevates the sauce beyond the usual cocktail smokie recipes. It also adds beautiful color to the sauce. Grape, strawberry, or blueberry preserves all work as substitutes, but the blackberry variety brings something a little more unexpected and sophisticated to the party.
Prepared Horseradish Sauce And here’s the “spicy.” Prepared horseradish sauce delivers a sharp, pungent heat that’s different from chile pepper heat — it hits the back of the nose and fades quickly, making it incredibly snackable. It cuts through the sweetness of the preserves and brown sugar perfectly, keeping the sauce from feeling cloying. This is what gives the recipe its personality and keeps everyone going back for just one more.
Less Sugar Substitutes in this recipe
I’ve seen these made with a variety of ingredients and there are lots of substitutions that will result in a great tasting appetizer. In this recipe, for sweet I’ve used sugar-free brown sugar substitute (Lakanto monk fruit sugar substitute is my favorite but Swerve works too.) but you could use regular brown sugar. I just wanted to remove as much added sugar as possible.
I used regular ketchup (there is sugar in ketchup) but if you like, substitute a sugar-free ketchup. I personally don’t like the taste so I use regular ketchup, but feel free to substitute if you want to eliminate all the extra sugar.
I also use sugar-free blackberry preserves in this recipe (Polner makes a good sugar free blackberry preserves). I love the flavor but here is a spot where you could use grape, strawberry or blueberry preserves. Find your favorite brand. If you don’t mind the sugar, use any regular brand of preserves. Little smokies and grape jelly are a common combination and you’ll often see recipes for cocktail weenies with grape jelly. The combo works great. I also like changing this recipe up on occasion, and make BBQ sauce and grape jelly little smokies too. Tip: Omit the ketchup but keep the brown sugar if you try that combo.
Spicy Ingredient Substitutions
I’ve used prepared horseradish sauce in this recipe for the spicy, but I’ve used chili sauce or a spicy BBQ sauce as substitutes. If you don’t have any of the above on hand, I’d add a pinch of chili flakes. Be sure to taste and adjust the seasoning (heat level) to match your palate. I make a similar sauce with my holiday meatballs, so be sure to check that out too.
Want to share this infographic?
Download the Image Now
or Copy and Paste the code below!
How to make Sweet and Spicy Lil Beef Smokies
The recipe couldn’t be easier.
- I simple add the lil beef smokies to a crock pot or slow cooker. Then in a measuring cup or bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients. Pour over the smokies, stir until everything is coated and turn to low or high depending on how quickly you want to heat your smokies. Follow the devices instructions for heating. Let them simmer for at least an hour and up to 3 hours on low. The sauce gets thicker and coats the sausage for a great taste.
How to serve lil smokies
I’ll either serve these right in the crock pot or put in a serving bowl with a cup of long tooth picks for serving. Be sure to serve with a big spoon too (sometimes, people don’t want to fuss with the toothpicks!).
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have any of these smokies left over, they store beautifully. Transfer them along with the sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days. The sauce will thicken even more as it chills, which is actually a good thing — it just means more flavor when you reheat.
To reheat, place the smokies and sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce is bubbling and the sausages are warmed through, about 5 to 8 minutes. You can also reheat them in a crock pot on low for about an hour if you’re serving a crowd again. If the sauce looks too thick after refrigerating, just add a small splash of water or broth to loosen it up while heating.
A note on freezing: the uncooked, packaged beef smokies can be frozen for up to two months if you haven’t opened them yet. However, once they’ve been cooked in the sauce, freezing is not recommended — the texture and flavor will suffer after the double cooking process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lil smokies are miniature precooked smoked sausage links. In this recipe, all-beef lil smokies are used, making them a great option for anyone who doesn’t eat pork. They’re sold fully cooked, so recipes like this one are simply about heating them through and coating them in a flavorful sauce.
This recipe uses a sweet and spicy sauce made from brown sugar substitute (like Lakanto or Swerve), ketchup, sugar-free blackberry preserves, and prepared horseradish sauce. The combination creates a sticky, tangy glaze with a gentle kick. You can swap the blackberry preserves for grape jelly, strawberry jam, or blueberry preserves — they all work beautifully.
Place the lil smokies and sauce in the slow cooker, stir to coat, and cook on low for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours. The longer they cook, the thicker and more flavorful the sauce becomes. Stir once or twice during cooking. This recipe takes just 5 minutes of prep and 1 hour of cook time.
Yes. If you don’t have a slow cooker or crock pot, you can heat the smokies and sauce in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until the sauce is bubbling and the sausages are heated through, about 15–20 minutes. You can also bake them in a covered baking dish at 325°F for about 45 minutes.
This recipe uses two 12-ounce packages of miniature beef smoked sausage links with ½ cup brown sugar substitute, ¼ cup ketchup, ½ cup blackberry preserves, and 3 tablespoons of horseradish sauce. That ratio creates a nicely coated appetizer for about 12 servings. Double the sauce if you want extra for dipping
Absolutely. These are a great make-ahead appetizer. Prepare the full recipe, let the smokies cool, and store them in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sauce bubbles, or pop them back in the slow cooker on low for about 30 minutes before serving.
Freezing cooked lil smokies in sauce is not recommended, as repeated cooking can affect the texture and quality. However, you can freeze the uncooked sausage links (before saucing) for up to 2 months. Always check the package date before freezing. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
If you don’t have prepared horseradish sauce, you can substitute chili sauce, a spicy BBQ sauce, or a pinch of red chili flakes to add heat. Start small, taste, and adjust to match your preferred spice level. The horseradish gives a sharp, pungent kick rather than a chili-pepper heat, so the substitute will slightly change the flavor profile but still be delicious.
Yes! Cocktail smokies with grape jelly is a classic combination and works great in this recipe. You can also use strawberry, blueberry, or any fruit preserve you enjoy. If you switch to grape jelly and want a slightly different spin, try omitting the ketchup and keeping the brown sugar — it creates a cleaner, sweeter BBQ-style glaze.
Most brands of lil smokies contain gluten, as they often include fillers or are processed on shared equipment. Always check the packaging of your specific brand. The sauce ingredients in this recipe (ketchup, preserves, brown sugar substitute, and horseradish) are generally gluten-free, but you’ll want to verify each product label if you’re cooking for someone with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity.
This recipe is specifically designed to be lower in added sugar. It uses a monk fruit or erythritol-based brown sugar substitute (like Lakanto or Swerve) instead of regular brown sugar and sugar-free blackberry preserves. Regular ketchup is the one ingredient that still contains some sugar, but you can swap in a sugar-free ketchup if you prefer to eliminate it entirely.
This recipe serves approximately 12 people as an appetizer. With two 12-ounce packages of miniature beef smoked sausages, you’re looking at roughly 5–7 smokies per person as a starter. Increase the batch if you’re feeding a crowd at a game day party or Super Bowl gathering.
Lil smokies are best served with long cocktail toothpicks for easy grabbing. Serve them right from the slow cooker to keep them warm throughout your party, or transfer to a serving bowl with a large spoon for guests who prefer not to fuss with toothpicks. They pair well with other game day appetizers, cheese boards, or a casual buffet spread.
This recipe has a mild-to-medium heat level. The heat comes from prepared horseradish sauce, which gives a sharp warmth rather than a fiery burn. If you want more heat, increase the horseradish or add a dash of hot sauce. For a milder version, reduce the horseradish or substitute with a plain BBQ sauce.
How and When to Serve Sweet and Spicy Lil Beef Smokies
How to Serve These smokies are as low-maintenance to serve as they are to make. The easiest option is to set the crock pot right on the buffet table and let it do double duty as both cooking vessel and serving dish — just switch it to the “warm” setting to keep them hot throughout your event. If you’d prefer a prettier presentation, transfer them to a serving bowl with a generous spoon for ladling. Set out a cup of long cocktail toothpicks alongside for easy grabbing (though, fair warning — a spoon nearby is a must, because people will bypass the toothpicks the moment they get hungry enough). Napkins are non-negotiable with these — the sauce is deliciously sticky.
When to Serve This recipe is tailor-made for any occasion where people are gathered and hungry. It’s a natural fit for game day spreads and Super Bowl parties, Oktoberfest buffets, holiday open houses, and casual potlucks. It’s also ideal for any party where you need an appetizer that stays warm and can largely fend for itself while you’re busy hosting. Because the recipe scales up easily and the crock pot keeps everything at the perfect temperature, it works especially well for large groups. And of course — housewarming parties. That’s where this recipe got its start, and it hasn’t lost a step since.
If you like this recipe, please leave a rating and comment below. I’d love to hear if you have a personal twist on the recipe. If you liked this classic, throwback recipe, be sure to try some of these:
Boursin Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Sweet and Spicy Lil Beef Smokies
All beef lil smokies get a bath in a sweet and spicy, no sugar added sauce that aims to please.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 Package 12 ounces miniature beef smoked sausage links
- 1/2 Cup Packed Swerve brown sugar substitute (Or brown sugar substitute or real brown sugar)
- 1/4 Cup Ketchup
- 1/2 Cup Sugar free blackberry preserves (or jelly/jam of your choice)
- 3 Tbsps. Prepared horseradish sauce
Instructions
- Place sausages in a crock pot. Combine the Swerve or Lakanto brown sugar substitute or brown sugar, ketchup, preserves or jam/jelly of your choice and horseradish in a large measuring cup. Mix well. Pour over the sausages and stir to coat. Cover and cook on low for at least one hour. Stir once or twice during the hour. Serve with cocktail toothpicks.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Meet Diane
Hi! I’m Diane. I started this site as a passion project. I love to cook, entertain, travel and laugh. (Who doesn’t love a good laugh?) Of course, being from New York, sarcasm rules!
More About Diane
mycuratedtastes@gmail.com
