Crock Pot BBQ Cocktail Sausage (Printable)

Smoky sausages simmered in tangy BBQ-apricot broth for effortless slow cooker comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb 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 & 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 oz) 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

# How To Make It:

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 completely and mixture is well blended
03 - Stir in drained diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired
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 parsley

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The unexpected marriage of BBQ sauce and apricot jam creates this incredible sweet-savory depth that will have everyone asking what your secret ingredient is.
  • Its deceptively impressive for how little active work you actually do - the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you get the credit.
02 -
  • Dont try to rush this on the high setting - I did once and the sausages got tough while the vegetables turned to mush.
  • If your BBQ sauce is particularly sweet, cut the amount of apricot jam in half or the soup might end up tasting more like dessert than dinner.
03 -
  • If youre serving this at a gathering, keep it warm in the slow cooker on the warm setting and put out mugs instead of bowls for easier mingling and eating.
  • A splash of apple cider vinegar stirred in right before serving brightens all the flavors and cuts through the richness - I discovered this by accident when trying to balance an overly sweet batch.
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