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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer & Snacks

    Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Lil Smokies

    Published: May 31, 2025 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest pin for slow cooker Lil Smokies Pinterest pin.
    Pinterest pin for slow cooker Lil Smokies Pinterest pin.

    Enjoy our simple set-it-and-forget-it, Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Lil Smokies Recipe. The Dr Pepper adds the perfect caramelization to the sausages, and the BBQ Sauce gives a nice smoky flavor with a hint of spice from chili powder.

    A white bowl with lil smokies in the bowl sitting on a checkered red and tan linen with Dr Pepper in a glass behind the bowl.

    For specifics on the recipe, use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredient List
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • Eileen's Tips for Success
    • Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Slow Cooker Lil Smokies are always a hit, quick, and easy to prepare.
    • Dr Pepper Lil Smokies uses just a few simple ingredients.
    • From beginner cook to advanced, anyone can make this little smokies recipe, and it will always be delicious.
    • These little smokies are perfect for game day, family gatherings, and BBQs. Anytime you want an easy, delicious appetizer.

    I love slow cooker appetizers because they are easy to prepare with delicious results. Some of my favorites are Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs and Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Dip.

    Ingredient List

    Ingredients with text overlay to make crockpot lil smokies with bbq sauce and Dr Pepper.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    •  ½ cup BBQ sauce
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ¼ light brown sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 12-ounce can Dr. Pepper
    • 2 (28) ounce packages of Lil Smokie 

    Equipment

    • Slow Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Instructions

    This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

    A slow cooker vessel with lil smokies ready to be cooked with Dr Pepper and BBQ Sauce.
    1. Whisk ingredients together in the slow cooker. Add the Lil Smokies.
    A slow cooker vessel with lil smokies made with BBQ Sauce and Dr Pepper.
    1. Cook on low temperature for 6 hours or high temperature for 4 hours.
    Dr Pepper Lil Smokies with BBQ sauce made in the slow cooker.

    Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    Storage - Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Freezer - The little smokies can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. They can be reheated in the slow cooker on low for about an hour, stovetop, or in the oven.

    A white bowl with little smokies made with Dr Pepper and BBQ sauce in the bowl. A can of Dr Pepper is in the background.

    Eileen's Tips for Success

    • Every slow cooker is slightly different when it comes to heating. Check on the sausages around the 3-hour mark to see if they are heated through.
    • I garnish the little smokies with chopped fresh parsley for color, this is optional.

    Variations

    Want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.

    • Dr Pepper: Use any soda, such as cola, root beer, or lemon-lime soda.
    • BBQ Sauce: Use either store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce.
    • Lil Smokies: Any cocktail sausage or cocktail hot dogs can be used for this recipe.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are Lil Smokies already cooked?

    Yes, the Lil Smokies have been precooked before packaging. This makes it easy to place them in a sauce in the slow cooker.

    Can these Lil Smokies be baked in the oven?

    Yes. If you don't have a crockpot, bake the Lil Smokies in an oven-safe pan with the sauce uncovered for about 20 minutes to warm the sauce.

    Are Lil Smokies already cooked?

    The beauty of these little sausages is that they are already cooked. You only need to heat them in the sauce for an easy recipe.

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    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Eileen  xo

    If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

    📖 Recipe

    A white bowl with little smokies cooked in Dr Pepper and BBQ sauce on a checkered linen. A can of Dr Pepper in the background.

    Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Lil Smokies

    These Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Lil Smokies are a delicious appetizer that are always a hit. With just a few simple ingredients and the secret to the success of this recipe, Dr Pepper, you will be in for a treat! The Lil Smokies have a decadent glaze from Dr. Pepper soda, brown sugar, and mustard.
    Print (Email Required) Pin Rate
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    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Dr Pepper Lil Smokies, slow cooker lil smokies
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 4 hours hours
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 15 servings
    Calories: 249kcal
    Author: Eileen Murphy Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • Slow Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups

    Ingredients

    • 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ¼ light brown sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 12 ounce can Dr. Pepper
    • 2 (28) ounce packages of Lil Smokie 56 ounces total

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    Instructions

    • Whisk together 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce, ¼ cup honey, ¼ light brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard, and 12 ounce can Dr. Pepper in the vessel of a slow cooker.
    • Place 2 (28) ounce packages of Lil Smokieinto the bottom of a slow cooker.
    • Pour the mixture over the smokies and stir to combine.
    • Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
    • Serve!

    NOTES

    Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above for important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe. 
    Note 1: The lil smokies can be cooked on low for 6 hours. We cooked these on high for 4 hours. 
    Storage:  Store leftovers in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
    Variations:
    Spice: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of spice. 
    Flavors:  Use any of sodas, we prefer Dr. Pepper, which adds a great flavor. 
    Mustard: Use any mustard you have on hand in the pantry. 
    BBQ Sauce: A store-made or homemade BBQ Sauce can be used for this recipe. 
    I'm not a registered dietitian, but I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. 
     
    • Don’t forget to shop at the Everyday Eileen store on Amazon.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4lil smokies | Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 898mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 223IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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