It’s about to get real Midwest up in here!
Little smokies or, if we’re feeling bold – cocktail weenies – are or at least were a staple at all social gatherings that I attended growing up here in the Midwest. Christmas party ➡️ crock pot full of cocktail weenies. Church potluck ➡️ giant vat of little smokies. Graduation party ➡️ ok you get the idea. No meat-eating person I know can resist a tiny hotdog on a stick coated in bubbling BBQ sauce, right? I mean they’re too adorable to turn down!
That said, I honestly can’t tell you the last time I attended an event where cocktail weenies were also present. Not sure what’s up with that, but instead of bringing little smokies back, I’m trading them in for kielbasa y’all! Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa has all the deliciousness I remember about those irresistable little apps, but kicked up a few hundred notches thanks to spiking the BBQ sauce with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. Each smokey, sweet, and slightly spicy bite of this crock pot appetizer recipe is tooooootally addicting but luckily, 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 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 2, 13.5oz packages Johnsonville Polish kielbasa, or 1-3/4lb of your favorite kielbasa, into 1″ rounds then add to a 6 quart crock pot (a 4 or 5 quart slow cooker would work just fine too.) Ben thought it’d be a nice touch to slice the kielbasa on a deep diagonal so you get more sauce to keilbasa coverage, but you can do either!
Next, stir together 1 cup each 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 my friend – told you it doesn’t get easier than this recipe! Whether you serve this as a holiday nibble, game day app, or anything in between – enjoy!
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Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa
Description
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!
Ingredients
- 2-13.5oz packages or 1-3/4lb kilebasa (I used Johnsonville)
- 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.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
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!
[…] And that’s literally it. Check out the Iowa Girl Eats Blog for all of her awesome food ideas. You can find this particular recipe, here! […]
Recipe looks great. Planning to try it this Sunday for Super Bowl party. One question, could I do it in oven or stove?
Either would work!
Oh my, I can feel my stomach rumbling.
[…] Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa – Iowa Girl Eats […]
[…] Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa | Iowa Girl Eats […]
You had me cracking up at the little smokies reference! Little smokies with Cookies BBQ sauce was definitely a staple at holidays at my grandmas in Iowa! I now live in Boston but I will always be an Iowa girl at heart!!! This recipe looks awesome!
[…] miss these great ideas from these bloggers…. Slow Cooker Little Smokies from foodie crush Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa from Iowa Girl […]
I made these for NYE and they were SO good and easy to make! Definitely our go-to party snack now :) Thanks!
thank you for actually leaving a review!!
[…] Crock Pot Sweet Chili BBQ Kielbasa | Iowa Girl Eats […]
I took these to 2 Holiday gatherings and everyone loved them. So easy too! Thanks for the recipe!
So glad to hear that, Ashley! Thanks so much for the feedback!
Do you think I could use the same ingredients (minus the kielbasa) with meatballs as an appetizer?
Absolutely!
Totally hear you on the little smokies memory!! My mom made them all the time for special events.
How would your recommend cooking instead of a crockpot. Only going to be three of us so I will half the recipe and I don’t have a small crockpot.
You could just simmer on the stovetop!
I’ll have you know that I made bacon-wrapped little smokies as one of the apps I made for a party I hosted last wknd (along w/ your Kung Pao chicken meatballs & Balsamic BBQ meatballs). Someone else brought them as well! Lil smokies are alive & well! Especially when wrapped in bacon. ;) These look yummy too (& MUCH easier!).
Ummm, say no more – bacon wrapped little smokies!? Brilliant!
Yum! This looks great!
I had to google “lil smokies”(I seem to have left the house with my north jersey showing, how embarrassing)and all these goodies sounds like the food down in the Polish and German neighborhoods closer to Rutgers–everyone really enjoys that, too. A friend does a version of your recipe except its seared(I’m not a meat eater but its also well-received).
PS there’s a website for a Pulaski Meats in Linden, NJ <–recommend!
This looks so good, and easy to make to boot. These would be perfect if you’re hosting people for Christmas.
Oh these look so good. Love the combination of sweet chili and bbq sauce. Do you have favorite bbq sauces?
I have tried super hard to like “healthy” BBQ sauces but they just don’t cut it for me. That said I like my homemade BBQ sauce (http://iowagirleats.com/2015/05/08/crock-pot-bbq-chicken-with-homemade-bbq-sauce/) or KC Masterpiece!