Instant Pot Little Smokies Recipe : A Crowd-Pleaser (2024)

Lil’ Smokies are a tried and true appetizer. Easily make this Instant Pot dish for your next gathering!

BBQ Lil’ Smokies

I’m a big fan of quick and easy recipes – and nothing is easier than BBQ Lil’ Smokies.

We recently shared a slow cooker Lil’ Smokies recipe…but since I use my Instant Pot a lot more than I use my slow cooker, I thought I should develop a version for that.

What are little smokies?

Little Smokies, also known as co*cktail sausages or co*cktail wieners, are small, bite-sized sausages that are typically made from a combination of pork and beef. They are fully cooked before packaging, so they can be eaten cold or heated for serving.

These sausages are often enjoyed as appetizers, party snacks, or finger foods at gatherings and events. Due to their small size, they are convenient for skewering with toothpicks or serving with dipping sauces. Little Smokies are versatile and can be prepared in various ways, such as simmered in a sauce, wrapped in bacon, or grilled.

One popular preparation involves simmering the Little Smokies in a flavorful sauce, often made with barbecue sauce, grape jelly, and mustard. This combination creates a sweet and tangy glaze that coats the sausages, making them a popular choice for parties and potlucks.

They are available in the refrigerated or frozen section of most grocery stores and are often sold in packages, making them easy to incorporate into a variety of recipes or to serve on their own as a tasty snack.

This is such a simple recipe, and the results are delicious. We actually had these for dinner with rice, but they make for a fantastic side dish or appetizer.

I’ve never known anyone NOT to love this dish, and it’s always gone pretty quickly at any party I’ve eaten them at.

Tips For Making Lil Smokies in the Instant Pot

Making Lil Smokies in the Instant Pot is a quick and convenient way to prepare these tasty co*cktail sausages. One idea is to use the sauté function on your Instant Pot to brown the Lil Smokies before pressure cooking. This step adds flavor and caramelization to the sausages.

Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick pressure release to stop the cooking process immediately. This helps prevent the Lil Smokies from overcooking and becoming mushy. If you’re making Lil Smokies for a party or gathering, use the Instant Pot’s “Keep Warm” function to maintain the temperature while serving. After cooking, you can thicken the sauce by using the sauté function. Mix a small amount of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce until it thickens to your liking.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 3/4 cup grape jelly
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 packages Lil Smokies

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and water in the pot of your Instant Pot. If you have a particularly thick BBQ sauce, you may want to use a little more water.
2. Add in the Lil’ Smokies and stir until covered.
3. Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and set to seal.
4. Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for ten minutes.
5. When the timer goes off, quick pressure release all the remaining pressure.
6. Remove the lid and set the Instant Pot to saute. Mix the sauce and sausages around until you reach the desired thickness.
7. Remove Lil’ Smokies and enjoy!

What BBQ Sauce did you use?

For this particular recipe, I just used Simple Truth brand BBQ sauce. It is a little thinner than some sauces. Stubbs is my favorite, but I don’t buy it unless it’s on sale!

My sauce is watery – what should I do?

If you turn the Instant Pot to saute for a bit, you should be able to thicken it up!

What type of Lil’ Smokies did you use?

I use Hillshire Farms brand – we have used both the beef version and the chicken/pork combo, and I honestly can’t tell a difference when it’s all cooked up.

Can I use a different kind of jelly?

I have only used grape jelly, but you could certainly experiment!

Is there an alternative to BBQ sauce that I can use?

I have heard of people using ketchup or Heinz Chili sauce!

Are Lil’ smokies fully cooked?

Yes, they are.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Always double-check the ingredients, but it should be.

Is this recipe keto-friendly?

Due to the carbohydrates in the BBQ sauce and the jelly, it’s really not. If you can find a sugar free BBQ Sauce and Jelly, that might help!

How long is this recipe good for?

It will stay good in the fridge for a few days.

How many Lil’ smokies are in a package?

There are about 40 pieces in each package, but I’ve found it varies slightly 🙂

Substitutions And Additions

Lil Smokies are versatile and can be customized with various substitutions and add-ons to suit your taste. Instead of traditional Lil Smokies, try using different types of sausages such as kielbasa, co*cktail wieners, or even vegetarian sausages for a meatless option. Experiment with different sauce bases.

Instead of the usual barbecue sauce, consider using teriyaki sauce, honey mustard, buffalo sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or a combination of your favorite sauces. If you want to cut down on sugar or prefer alternative sweeteners, use honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar substitutes in your sauce.

Instant Pot Lil' Smokies

Yield: 80 Smokies

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

See Also

Sous Vide Tri Tip Steak Recipe with Cilantro Sauce

BBQ Lil' Smokies have never been easier than with this Instant Pot recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 3/4 cup grape jelly
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 packages Lil Smokies

Instructions

1. Combine BBQ sauce, grape jelly, and water in the pot of your Instant Pot. If you have a particularly thick BBQ sauce, you may want to use a little more water.
2. Add in the Lil’ Smokies and stir until covered.
3. Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and set to seal.
4. Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for ten minutes.
5. When the timer goes off, quick pressure release all the remaining pressure.
6. Remove the lid and set the Instant Pot to saute. Mix the sauce and sausages around until you reach the desired thickness.
7. Remove Lil’ Smokies and enjoy!

What goes well with Lil’ Smokies?

Lil’ Smokies are the ideal appetizer for a casual party or sports event. They’re so small and perfect for filling up a small plate. I love the sweet and savory flavor they offer. I recommend serving them with dips, fruits, veggies, and other finger food that can pass as appetizers.

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Bust out your Instant Pot for this simple and savory recipe for bite-sized Lil’ Smokies!