Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce Little Smokies

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When you’re putting together your holiday menu, it’s always a good idea to have gluten free appetizer recipe on hand! And who doesn’t love the combination of sweet and spicy ingredients? With this recipe for cranberry sauce little smokies, you can prepare a delicious finger food for your holiday get-togethers using just three ingredients! Toss everything in the slow cooker to whip up this Crockpot recipe in minutes.

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how to make cranberry sauce little smokies

Since these three ingredient smoked sausages are quick and easy to make, they’re going to be your new favorite appetizer to serve at all your holiday parties! Everyone will love the sweet and spicy combination of ingredients in this simple gluten free party food recipe.

And since all the ingredients used to prepare this simple appetizer are naturally gluten free, it’s perfect for serving all your party guest!

Cranberry Sauce Little Smokies

Now you know this recipe is easy to make and can be put together with just three ingredients. So what are you waiting for? Let’s start cooking!

cranberry sausages

To make your own cranberry sauce smokies, you’ll need just three simple ingredients:

  • Little smokies: You can use any brand you want for your little smokies. These mini smoked sausages usually come in both pork and beef varieties, so choose which ever type of sausage you prefer.
  • Cranberry sauce: I used whole berry cranberry sauce to make my little smokies, but jellied sauce works well too. Use your favorite brand of canned sauce or use leftover sauce from your holiday dinner!
  • Chili sauce: The key to giving your smoked sausages a spicy kick is to use chili sauce. While this sauce is similar to BBQ sauce, it does have a slightly different taste and texture. You can usually find a bottle of chili sauce next to the ketchup. I usually use Heinz chili sauce, but you can use any brand you find at your store.

Are cocktail sausages the same as little smokies?

These delicious mini sausages go by many different names, including cocktail sausages, little smokies, lil’ smokies, and cocktail franks. While the names are different, they all refer to the same type of small smoked sausages.

Are little smokies gluten free?

Yes! Most cocktail sausages are gluten free. I always purchase Hillshire Farms little smokies, but the majority of other brands are also safe to eat. Always check the package to ensure that there are no harmful ingredients listed or risks of cross-contamination.

How to Make Cranberry Sauce Little Smokies

You’re going to love how quick and easy it is to make these cranberry little smokies! With the help of your crockpot, you can whip them up with just a few minutes of prep work.

cranberry chili sauce smokies

Start by combining all the ingredients in the bowl of your slow cooker. Add the sausages, chili sauce, and the cranberry sauce to the crockpot and stir the ingredients together with a spoon.

little smokies with cranberry sauce

Once the sauce ingredients are well mixed, it’s time to start cooking! Set the slow cooker to cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours, stirring the sauce and sausages halfway through the cook time.

sweet and spicy little smokies

Once the cook time is up, serve your sausages immediately. Or set the slow cooker to the warm setting until you’re ready to serve them.

Cranberry Sauce Sausage Recipe Ideas

Once you try the sweet and spicy sauce on these little sausages, you’ll never make cocktail franks without it again! And since this recipe is so simple to make, you can easily adjust it to suit your family’s tastes.

cranberry little smokies

Try some of these recipe adjustments and serving ideas to create a delicious appetizer for any celebration:

  • Use BBQ sauce. Chili sauce really is the way to go with this recipe. But if you can’t find any or don’t have any on hand, you can use BBQ sauce instead. Try to mix in a variety that has some spiciness to it. And avoid sweetened BBQ sauces (like ones with honey or brown sugar) because the sauce may end up too sweet when combined with the grape jelly.
  • Make it with meatballs. This sauce is delicious on cocktail sausages, but it also tastes amazing on meatballs! Try my cranberry sauce meatballs for your next party!
  • Bake them in the oven. Using your slow cooker is the easiest way to prepare these sausages. But if you’re short on time, you can also bake them in the oven. Combine the sausages with the sauce, then pour all the ingredients into a greased baking dish. Bake the weinies at 350 for 30 minutes, until the sauce is just beginning to bubble and the sausages are heated through.
cranberry sausages

Cranberry Sauce Little Smokies Recipe

Yield: 12 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes

Whip up a quick and easy holiday appetizer with this 3 ingredient cranberry sauce little smokies recipe.

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces little smokies sausages
  • 1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 12 jar chili sauce

Instructions

  1. Stir together the little smokies, cranberry sauce, and chili sauce in the bowl of the slow cooker.
  2. Set to cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
  3. Stir to coat the sausages in sauce before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 242Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 611mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 8g

Did you make this recipe?

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More Easy Recipe Ideas:

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath for Christmas

Cranberry Jello Salad

Four-Ingredient Gluten Free Little Smokies

Cranberry Millionaire Salad

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