Description
Savory Mississippi Lil Smokies combine tangy barbecue sauce with irresistible sausage links for an unforgettable appetizer. Slow cooker magic brings party guests together, creating delicious memories with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (14 oz / 397 g) lil smokies (cocktail sausages)
- 68 pepperoncini peppers
- 1 packet (1 oz / 28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 packet (1 oz / 28 g) au jus gravy mix
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps pepperoncini jar juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar (optional, for sweetness)
Instructions
- Liquid Base Preparation: Whisk ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, and pepperoncini juice in the slow cooker, creating a robust and tangy foundation for the little smokies.
- Butter Integration: Distribute butter cubes across the liquid mixture, allowing them to melt and contribute a rich, smooth undertone to the overall flavor profile.
- Pepper Preparation: Chop pepperoncini peppers into bite-sized pieces, ensuring their zesty essence will permeate the entire dish during the cooking process.
- Sausage Immersion: Delicately submerge little smokies into the seasoned liquid, guaranteeing complete coverage and maximum flavor absorption.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover the slow cooker and set to low heat, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and develop a complex, savory taste over several hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even seasoning distribution.
- Serving Presentation: Once little smokies are thoroughly heated and saturated with the pepperoncini and ranch-infused sauce, transfer to a serving dish. Ladle any remaining sauce over the top to amplify the dish’s robust and tantalizing flavor profile.
Notes
- Prevent Burning: Stir occasionally during cooking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent smokies from sticking to the slow cooker’s bottom.
- Sauce Consistency Control: If sauce seems too thin, remove lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow slight reduction and thickening.
- Customize Spice Level: Adjust pepperoncini quantity based on desired tanginess and heat preference; fewer peppers mean milder flavor.
- Dietary Adaptation: For low-sodium version, use reduced-sodium ranch mix and au jus gravy mix to decrease overall salt content while maintaining rich taste profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 263
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1030 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg