Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa is a 3 ingredient gluten-free appetizer recipe that couldn't be simpler. Perfect for parties and game day!
It’s about to get real Midwest up in here! Little smokies or, if we’re feeling bold — cocktail weenies — were a staple at all social gatherings I attended growing up here in Iowa.
Christmas party ➡️ crock pot full of cocktail weenies. Church potluck ➡️ giant vat of little smokies. Graduation party ➡️ you get the idea. No meat-eating person I know could resist a tiny hotdog on a stick coated in bubbling BBQ sauce.
Well today we’re saying goodbye to appetizer past, and hello to appetizer present with Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa!
Little smokies are swapped for sliced kielbasa smothered in a mixture of BBQ sauce and Thai Sweet Chili sauce before being slow cooked until sizzling. Each smokey, sweet, and slightly spicy bite of this crock pot appetizer recipe is totally addicting and perfect for sharing.
My Mom always has a bunch of appetizers out on holidays to nibble on before the big meal – chips and guacamole, meats and cheeses, hummus and crudites, a pickle and olive platter – and now we’ve got Crock Pot Sweet Chili Kielbasa to add to the mix.
This three, yes THREE, ingredient appetizer recipe is perfect to have bubbling on the countertop with a bowl of toothpicks nearby so everyone can snag a bite or 17 as they’re walking by.
This recipe is great for holidays and parties, but also perfect for game day when you want a salty/spicy/sweet bite to eat in between plays that will compliment the cold drink in your hand. Game day, holidays, any day is a good day to get this seriously simple and mouthwatering gluten-free appetizer recipe ready!
Start by slicing kielbasa into 1″ rounds or into ovals by slicing on the diagonal then add to a 6 quart crock pot (a 4 or 5 quart slow cooker would work just fine too.)
Next, stir together sweet chili sauce and your favorite BBQ sauce then pour over the kielbasa and stir to combine.
I like Grama’s Sweet Chili Sauce, Sky Valley Sweet Chili Sauce, Frank’s Sweet Chili Sauce, and A Taste of Thai Sweet Chili Sauce, in that order. What can I say, I like sweet chili sauce!
Cover then cook the kielbasa on low for 3 hours, or on high for 1-1/2 – 2 hours, or until the kielbasa are hot, then remove the lid and let the sauce thicken up for 10-15 minutes before serving with toothpicks.
That’s all she wrote — told you it doesn’t get easier than this recipe!
Whether you serve slow cooker appetizer as a holiday or game day nibble, or for any reason in between – enjoy!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2, 13.5 oz packages kielbasa, Johnsonville recommended
- 1 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 cup bbq sauce
Directions
- Slice kielbasa into 1" rounds then add to a 6 quart crock pot (could use a 4 or 5 quart as well.) Whisk sweet chili sauce and bbq sauce together in a bowl then add to crock pot and stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 3 hours or high for 1-1/2 - 2 hours, or until hot. Let crock pot sit with the lid off for 10-15 minutes after cooking to help sauce thicken up a bit.
Notes
- This recipe can be easily doubled - increase cooking time by an hour or until kielbasa is hot.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
3/26/23 – Made this for a large family dinner using the slow cooker feature of the 3 quart Instant Pot. I’ve found the IP slow cooker feature isn’t as good as a traditional dedicated slow cooker so I cooked this for 4-5 hours on the medium slow cooker setting. Came out Excellent! Big hit with the family. This will be in our regular rotation of recipes.
Used 2 packages of polish kielbasa. There weren’t any leftovers…
I made these for book club last night, everyone loved them! I even used my instant pot to make them, 15 mins high pressure…done, voila!
So delicious and easy!
Could this be served over white rice?
Sure!
What do you think of the idea of adding pineapple chunks?
That sounds delicious!!
Made this for supper with farmer’s sausage instead of kielbasa, and served it with a salad, garlic bread, and roasted potatoes, beets, and carrots. I used a 4-quart crock pot and could have easily cut the sauce by about a quarter. Great flavor combination and everyone enjoyed it!
I’m gonna make it Xmas morning
I made these for a party today and they were a BIG hit!!!! So easy to make and so delicious!!!
This is what I used to eat when I was in primary school!
simple sausage with sweet chilli sauce won’t go wrong for sure. And it’s a good appetizer as well!
I love these so much! Instead of sweet chili sauce, I use Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce which makes them pretty spicy – perfect for us! We call them ‘Basa Bites :)
Do I leave the crockpot on and lid off to thicken
Turn the crock pot off and remove the lid to help thicken. :)
Have you ever tried to freeze the leftovers?
I haven’t but I’m sure it’d be just fine!