Crock Pot BBQ Cocktail Sausage (Printable)

Smoked cocktail sausages slow-cooked in tangy BBQ sauce, apricot jam, and spices for a comforting sweet and savory soup.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound smoked cocktail sausages, sliced into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids and Bases

05 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
06 - 1 cup BBQ sauce, tangy-style preferred
07 - 1/2 cup apricot jam or preserves
08 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
13 - Salt to taste

# Directions:

01 - Add sliced cocktail sausages, chopped onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the slow cooker.
02 - Pour chicken broth, BBQ sauce, and apricot jam into the slow cooker. Stir until jam dissolves and mixture is well combined.
03 - Add drained diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. Stir gently to combine.
04 - Cover and cook on low setting for 4 hours until vegetables are tender and flavors have fully melded.
05 - Taste and adjust salt as needed. Serve hot, optionally garnished with chopped fresh parsley.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day, returning to an incredible savory sweet aroma that greets you at the door.
  • Its deceptively impressive at potlucks where people always ask for the recipe, though Im almost reluctant to reveal how simple it actually is to throw together.
02 -
  • The soup thickens substantially as it cools, so if you prefer a thinner consistency, add an extra half cup of broth during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
  • Dont stir too aggressively or too often, as the tomatoes and peppers will break down too much and you want them to maintain some of their texture and identity in the final dish.
03 -
  • The quality of your BBQ sauce makes a massive difference here, so use one youd happily eat on its own rather than the cheapest option on the shelf.
  • If the soup seems too sweet after cooking, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar stirred in at the end will balance everything perfectly without compromising the depth of flavor.
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