Effortless Mississippi Smokies

With this Mississippi Lit'l Smokies dish, you turn plain cocktail sausages into a lip-smacking snack with basically no work. Let your slow cooker do all the work while that mouthwatering smell drifts through your place.

The first time I made these at a game-day get-together, everyone was shocked at how good they were for almost zero effort. Now, they're always on the menu when friends are over. I keep everything on standby for last-minute hangs.

Vibrant Ingredients

• Pepperoncini peppers: Grab 6 from the jar—they're mild and zingy, and look great scattered through the pot
• Au jus gravy mix: Toss in a 1-ounce packet for rich, savory flavor (fresh mix makes a big taste difference)
• Ranch seasoning mix: A 1-ounce packet gives you herby notes and just a bit of garlicky kick—classic ranch works best
• Little smokies: Use a 28-ounce pack—these mini sausages hold up in the slow cooker and soak up all the goodness
• Unsalted butter: Cut up 1/2 cup; pick a good quality brand for max creaminess in your sauce
• Pepperoncini juice: Pour in 1/4 cup from the jar for that tang and deep flavor to balance it all

Simple Step-by-Step

Finish It Off:

When the sauce is nice and a bit thick and every smokie is coated, stir everything up well before serving. Throw them in a bowl with some toothpicks or just let them hang out on warm in the slow cooker for guests to help themselves.

Get Cooking:

Pop on the lid and set your slow cooker to low for 2–3 hours, depending on how hot your model runs. They're good to go when the sauce is bubbling and the sausages look shiny and plump.

Add Butter And Peppers:

Slice your butter and spread it evenly over the top. Nestle in the pepperoncini peppers in different spots so their flavor mingles everywhere. The butter melts for a rich sauce, and peppers give a little tang and crunch.

Sprinkle On Flavors:

Dump both seasoning packets—ranch first, then au jus—on top of all that. Try to cover the whole surface instead of letting it clump, so the seasonings melt right into everything as it cooks.

Pour In Liquids:

Splash the pepperoncini juice all over the smokies, spreading it around so everyone gets its tang. It makes the sauce zingy and helps steam through the sausages.

Start With Sausages:

Take your bag of little smokies and spread them in a 6-quart slow cooker. No need to thaw if they're frozen, just tack on a couple extra minutes to your cooking time. Spreading them out helps everything cook the same and soak up the flavor.

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When I fixed these for the family, my nephew called them Magic Meat Bites since they vanished right away. The pepperoncini juice is what really kicks the flavor up. Even folks who aren't into peppers totally dig these.

Easy Prep Ahead

These Mississippi Lit'l Smokies are ideal for making the night before. Just toss everything in your slow cooker insert, cover, and stash it in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready, drop the insert into your slow cooker and let them go, adding about half an hour to cover the chill. The flavors get even better after a rest in the fridge—talk about no-stress party food!

Fun Ways To Serve

Sure, toothpicks are classic, but you can mix it up. Pile the smokies on small slider buns with a bit of that awesome sauce for tiny sandwiches. They’re also fantastic spooned over mashed potatoes or some rice if you want to turn this snack into a meal. Need something lighter? Dish them up with roasted veggies and let the sauce make the veggies extra awesome.

Bold Variations

You can totally switch up the Mississippi flavors. Like it hot? Sprinkle in a little red pepper flake or add a hit of hot sauce. Want sweet? Drop in some brown sugar or drizzle with honey before you cook. For smoked vibes, swap in some chopped smoked sausage for half the little smokies. You can also use this method with chicken or pork tenderloin if you want a heartier main course.

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Your next hangout just got easier and tastier. Try making this and watch everyone come back for seconds!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap in other sausages for this?

Definitely! Try mini smoked sausages, plain cocktail weenies, or even sliced-up kielbasa. Most any cooked smoked sausage is fine here—just keep an eye on the time if they're bigger or cut differently.

→ What's a good sub for pepperoncini?

No pepperoncini? Go for banana peppers and their juice, or try mixing some pickle juice with a shake of red pepper flakes for a bit of kick.

→ Will these Mississippi Smokies be very spicy?

They're not super spicy—barely a medium heat from the pepperoncini. You'll mainly taste the zip, not the fire. Just pull out some peppers or skip the seeds for even less heat.

→ Is it possible to whip this up ahead?

Yup! Get everything together the night before, let it chill in your slow cooker pot, and then cook when you're ready. The longer it sits, the better those flavors mellow together.

→ How should I serve Mississippi Smokies?

They're awesome for grabbing with toothpicks, but they're also killer in slider buns. Or serve them on top of mashed potatoes or rice and pour that yummy sauce over everything.

→ Could I use an Instant Pot for this?

Of course! Tap sauté to melt the butter, chuck in the rest, and pressure cook on high for five minutes. Quick release, then flip to warm to keep 'em hot for serving.