Can I make these Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies in an Instant Pot instead?

Absolutely! Use the sauté function to mix everything together, then cook on high pressure for 5 minutes with a natural release. For the same sticky texture, switch back to sauté after pressure cooking and simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce.

What if I can't find hot honey at my grocery store?

No problem! Make your own by warming 1/4 cup regular honey with 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Let it infuse for about 10 minutes, then cool slightly before using in the recipe.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! You can either prepare the sauce a day ahead and store it separately, then combine with the sausages in the slow cooker on the day of your event. Alternatively, cook everything completely, refrigerate, and reheat in the slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours before serving.

Are these too spicy for kids?

Most kids who enjoy a little flavor actually love these! The hot honey provides more of a gentle warmth than intense heat. For very sensitive palates, substitute regular honey and omit the black pepper for a milder, kid-friendly version.

Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies Recipe

Name: Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (14-ounce) packages lit’l smokies sausages; 1 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup hot honey; 2 tablespoons minced garlic; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons hickory liquid smoke; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard or 2 teaspoons yellow mustard

These Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that practically cooks itself! Tender, juicy little sausages swim in a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce that caramelizes to sticky perfection in your slow cooker. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have an irresistible appetizer that disappears faster than you can say “seconds, please!”

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Entertaining: Toss everything in your slow cooker and let it do the work while you focus on other dishes or mingle with guests.
Sweet-Heat Balance: The combination of hot honey, garlic, and savory sausages creates a perfect harmony of flavors that appeals to almost everyone.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep in advance and let the slow cooker work its magic, making this perfect for parties, game days, or holiday gatherings.
Crowd Favorite: Watch these little bites vanish from the serving plate – they’re always the first appetizer to disappear!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Lil Smokies Sausages: The star of the show! These bite-sized sausages soak up all the delicious sauce flavors while maintaining their juicy texture.
Ketchup: Forms the base of our sauce, providing tomato richness and natural sweetness.
Hot Honey: The secret weapon that adds both sweetness and a spicy kick. The heat level is perfect – noticeable but not overwhelming.
Minced Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and savory notes that balance the sweetness perfectly.
Worcestershire Sauce: Brings umami richness and complex flavor that takes these smokies to the next level.
Hickory Liquid Smoke: Creates that incredible barbecue-like flavor without needing a grill. A little goes a long way!
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the other flavors in the dish.
Ground Mustard: Adds a subtle tang and depth to the sauce. Don’t skip this – it really rounds out the flavor profile.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Spice Level Adjustments

Want it hotter? Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. For milder palates, use regular honey and add just a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Flavor Twists

Try adding a tablespoon of brown sugar for extra caramelization, a splash of bourbon for sophisticated depth, or a tablespoon of grated ginger for an Asian-inspired version.

Meatball Alternative

No Lil Smokies? This sauce works beautifully with frozen meatballs too! Simply substitute equal weight of frozen, fully-cooked meatballs.

Extra Additions

Throw in some diced bell peppers or pineapple chunks during the last hour of cooking for added texture and flavor contrast.

How to Make Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker

Place both packages of Lil Smokies sausages into your slow cooker. No need to slice them – their bite-sized nature makes them perfect as is.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine ketchup, hot honey, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, liquid smoke, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Stir until everything is well incorporated and smooth. The sauce will be somewhat thick but pourable.

Step 3: Combine and Cook

Pour the prepared sauce over the sausages in the slow cooker, then stir gently to ensure each little sausage gets an even coating. Cover with the lid and set your slow cooker to low.

Step 4: Slow Cook to Perfection

Let everything cook for 4-6 hours on low, stirring occasionally if you’re around. The sauce will gradually thicken and become gloriously sticky, while the sausages absorb all those amazing flavors.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once the sauce has thickened and the sausages are heated through, they’re ready to serve! Keep them warm in the slow cooker for gatherings, or transfer to a serving dish with toothpicks for easy grabbing.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Sauce Consistency: If the sauce gets too thick during cooking, add a tablespoon or two of water and stir gently.
Even Cooking: Stir the smokies about once an hour if possible to ensure they’re evenly coated in sauce and heat evenly.
Make Your Own Hot Honey: If you can’t find hot honey, make your own by warming 1/4 cup regular honey with 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
Double Batch: This recipe doubles beautifully for larger crowds – just use a larger slow cooker and maintain the same cooking time.

How to Serve

Party Presentation

Serve straight from the slow cooker (set to warm) with toothpicks or cocktail forks nearby. Place a small empty bowl next to it for used toothpicks.

Meal Options

Transform these from appetizer to main dish by serving over steamed rice or alongside mac and cheese for a fun family dinner.

Complementary Sides

Pair with cooling sides like a creamy coleslaw, fresh vegetable platter, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Garnish Ideas

Sprinkle with sliced green onions or sesame seeds just before serving for a pop of color and extra flavor dimension.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover smokies and sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors actually improve overnight as the sausages continue to absorb the sauce.

Freezing

These freeze surprisingly well! Cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Leave some room for expansion in your container.

Reheating

For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in 30-second intervals until hot throughout. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

FAQs

Can I make these Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies in an Instant Pot instead?

Absolutely! Use the sauté function to mix everything together, then cook on high pressure for 5 minutes with a natural release. For the same sticky texture, switch back to sauté after pressure cooking and simmer uncovered for 5-10 minutes to thicken the sauce.
What if I can’t find hot honey at my grocery store?

No problem! Make your own by warming 1/4 cup regular honey with 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Let it infuse for about 10 minutes, then cool slightly before using in the recipe.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party?

Definitely! You can either prepare the sauce a day ahead and store it separately, then combine with the sausages in the slow cooker on the day of your event. Alternatively, cook everything completely, refrigerate, and reheat in the slow cooker on low for 1-2 hours before serving.
Are these too spicy for kids?

Most kids who enjoy a little flavor actually love these! The hot honey provides more of a gentle warmth than intense heat. For very sensitive palates, substitute regular honey and omit the black pepper for a milder, kid-friendly version.

Final Thoughts

These Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies hit that perfect sweet spot between ease of preparation and maximum flavor impact. The sticky-sweet sauce with its gentle heat makes them utterly irresistible, while the set-it-and-forget-it cooking method means you can focus on enjoying your gathering rather than fussing in the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting game day, planning holiday appetizers, or just want to treat your family to something special, this recipe delivers big on flavor with minimal effort. Give them a try—I promise they’ll become one of your go-to crowd-pleasers!