These slow cooker 4-ingredient BBQ bacon wrapped lil smokies are the sort of easy party bite that disappears faster than the hamburgers ever do. They have that familiar sweet-smoky flavor folks across the Midwest never seem to tire of, with little sausages wrapped in bacon, coated in barbecue sauce, and cooked low and slow until everything turns sticky, savory, and irresistible. It is the kind of recipe you bring to a potluck, tailgate, church supper, or holiday cookout when you want something simple, crowd-pleasing, and dependable.
Serve these straight from the slow cooker with toothpicks alongside potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, deviled eggs, or a tray of crisp pickles and fresh vegetables. They also fit right in next to burgers, grilled chicken, and corn on the cob, and a cold iced tea, lemonade, or light beer makes a mighty fine match for their sweet and smoky richness.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient BBQ Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies
Servings: 10 to 12 as an appetizer
Ingredients
2 (14-ounce) packages lil smokies sausages
1 pound bacon, cut into thirds
2 cups barbecue sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
Directions
1. Open the lil smokies and drain off any excess liquid if needed. Cut the bacon into thirds so each piece is the right size to wrap around one sausage.
2. Wrap each lil smokie with a piece of bacon and place it seam-side down in the slow cooker. Continue until all the sausages are wrapped and tucked in snugly.
3. In a bowl, stir together the barbecue sauce and brown sugar until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the bacon wrapped smokies.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours or on HIGH for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the bacon is cooked through and the sauce is hot and bubbling. If you like, gently stir once or twice during cooking to coat everything well.
5. Turn the slow cooker to WARM for serving and let guests help themselves with toothpicks or a small spoon. They are best hot, with plenty of sauce clinging to each bite.
Variations & Tips
Sweeter glaze: If your crowd likes that old-fashioned sweet-and-smoky flavor, use a honey barbecue sauce or add an extra spoonful or two of brown sugar. The sauce will cook down into a thicker, stickier glaze.
Crispier bacon: For firmer bacon, partially cook the bacon pieces for a few minutes before wrapping the smokies. You do not want them fully crisp, just started, so they finish nicely in the slow cooker.
Secure for easy serving: If the bacon wants to loosen, fasten each piece with a toothpick before cooking. That makes them easier to lift out and serve at parties, especially when the crock is sitting on a buffet table.
Spicy version: Stir a little cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or a spoonful of chipotle in adobo into the barbecue sauce for a bit of kick. It is a nice balance against the sweetness and works especially well for game day snacks.
Make-ahead tip: You can wrap the smokies and refrigerate them a day ahead. When it is time to cook, place them in the slow cooker, pour over the sauce mixture, and let the crock pot do the rest.