These buttery Mississippi Lil’ Smokies are the kind of party appetizer that disappears before you know it! Made with juicy little smoked sausages, rich butter, tangy pepperoncini peppers, ranch seasoning, and savory au jus gravy mix, they’re packed with bold, irresistible flavor.
The slow cooker does most of the work, making this recipe perfect for game days, holiday gatherings, potlucks, family parties, and casual get-togethers. Just add everything to the crockpot, let the flavors come together, and serve these delicious little bites warm with toothpicks.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2–3 hours on LOW or 1–2 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: Approximately 2–3 hours
- Servings: 10–12
- Course: Appetizer, Party Food
- Cuisine: American
- Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Savor The Taste Of The South With Mississippi Lil Smokies – My Homemade Recipe
- 2 packages (14 ounces each) Lil’ Smokies cocktail sausages
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into pieces
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet (1 ounce) au jus gravy mix
- ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Slow-Cook Your Little Smokies Sausages For A More Flavorful Snack
Step 1: Prepare the sausages
Open the packages of Lil’ Smokies and drain off any excess liquid. Pat them lightly with paper towels if needed. Transfer the sausages into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
Mississippi Little Smokies | Punchfork
Step 2: Add the seasonings
Sprinkle the ranch seasoning mix and au jus gravy mix evenly over the sausages. Add the garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
Crock Pot Mississippi Lit’l Smokies | Punchfork
Step 3: Add butter and pepperoncini
Arrange the butter pieces over the sausages. Add the sliced pepperoncini peppers and pour in the pepperoncini juice. These ingredients create the rich, tangy, buttery sauce that makes Mississippi-style appetizers so delicious.
Easy Crock Pot Mississippi Lit’l Smokies – Party Appetizer – Quickie Recipe
Step 4: Cook in the slow cooker
Cover with the lid and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1–2 hours. Stir gently once or twice during cooking to distribute the melted butter and seasonings evenly. Cook until the sausages are hot throughout and the sauce is bubbling gently.
Mississippi Smokies with Pepperoncini and Ranch – Savory Find
Step 5: Stir and coat
Once cooked, gently stir the Lil’ Smokies so every sausage is coated in the buttery pepperoncini sauce. Taste the sauce and adjust the pepperoncini juice or seasoning if desired.
The Best Slow Cooker Little Smokies Recipe | Food Network Kitchen | Food Network
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Keep the slow cooker on the WARM setting for serving, and provide toothpicks so guests can easily grab these delicious little bites.
Tips for the Best Mississippi Lil’ Smokies
- Use quality sausages: Cocktail smoked sausages give the appetizer its classic smoky flavor.
- Don’t add extra salt too early: Ranch and au jus seasoning packets already contain salt.
- Adjust the tanginess: Add more pepperoncini juice for a tangier sauce or use less for a milder flavor.
- Stir gently: This helps distribute the sauce without breaking the sausages.
- Keep them warm: A slow cooker on WARM makes serving easy at parties.
- Avoid overcooking: The sausages are already cooked, so the goal is to heat them thoroughly and let the flavors blend.
Delicious Recipe Variations
1. Sweet and Spicy Lil’ Smokies: Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and a little extra red pepper flakes for a sweet-and-spicy flavor.
2. Cheesy Mississippi Smokies: Sprinkle shredded cheddar over the sausages during the final 10 minutes of cooking.
3. BBQ Mississippi Smokies: Add ¼ cup of your favorite barbecue sauce for a smoky, tangy twist.
4. Extra Pepperoncini Flavor: Add a few extra sliced pepperoncini peppers and another tablespoon of their juice.
5. Garlic Butter Smokies: Add an extra minced garlic clove and a little extra butter for a richer garlic flavor.
What to Serve with Mississippi Lil’ Smokies
These party favorites pair wonderfully with:
- Creamy macaroni and cheese.
- Loaded potato skins.
- Deviled eggs.
- Coleslaw.
- Fresh vegetable sticks and ranch dip.
- Cheese and cracker platters.
- Soft dinner rolls.
- Crispy potato wedges.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Allow leftovers to cool slightly and refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours of serving. Store for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating: Warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in a covered microwave-safe dish until steaming hot. Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C).
Freezing: Freeze cooled sausages and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make Ahead: Add the sausages, seasonings, pepperoncini, and juice to the slow cooker insert ahead of time. Refrigerate covered, then add the butter and cook when ready. Do not leave the assembled ingredients at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Lil’ Smokies already cooked?
Most packaged cocktail sausages are fully cooked, but always check the package instructions. This recipe heats them thoroughly and adds flavor through the buttery sauce.
2. Can I make Mississippi Lil’ Smokies on the stovetop?
Yes! Add all the ingredients to a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Heat over low to medium-low heat for approximately 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausages are steaming hot.
3. Can I make this recipe less spicy?
Absolutely. Use mild pepperoncini peppers, reduce the amount of pepperoncini juice, and leave out the red pepper flakes.
4. Can I use regular smoked sausage instead?
Yes. Slice smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces and follow the same cooking instructions.
5. Can I serve these at a party for several hours?
Yes. Once thoroughly heated, transfer the slow cooker to its WARM setting. Keep the lid on between servings and follow food safety guidance for hot holding.
Printable Recipe Card
Buttery Mississippi Lil’ Smokies
Crockpot Mississippi Cocktail Smokies | Punchfork
Juicy cocktail sausages cooked in a rich buttery ranch and au jus sauce with tangy pepperoncini peppers. An easy slow cooker appetizer for parties and game days.
PREP TIME
5 minutes
COOK TIME
2–3 hours
TOTAL TIME
2–3 hours
SERVINGS
10–12
Ingredients
- 2 packages (14 oz each) Lil’ Smokies
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Drain the Lil’ Smokies and place them in a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning, au jus mix, garlic powder, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes over the sausages.
- Add butter pieces, sliced pepperoncini, and pepperoncini juice.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours or HIGH for 1–2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Stir gently until all sausages are coated in the buttery sauce.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm with toothpicks.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
Approximate values, based on 12 servings.
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Protein: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Fiber: 0 g
