This is the best cocktail sausage recipe EVER! These little smokies are made with mexican beer, brown sugar, chili powder and lime juice and they are addicting! Dunk them in my baja chipotle sauce for extra goodness.
Cocktail Sausages - Everything you need to know
This cocktail sausage recipe is unlike anything you've probably ever tasted before.
Inspired by the viral burnt end cocktail sausages, these mini hot dogs are the cocktail weenies of your dreams. They're braised in beer and seasoned with brown sugar, chili powder and lime juice. And since they're bite size pieces, they make the best party snack.
Traditionally, cocktail franks are served during game days or as party appetizers. You'll sometimes see them cooked up in a slow cooker for a couple of hours with wild ingredients like grape jelly and barbecue sauce. Or more popularly, pigs in a blanket recipes where they're wrapped in a crescent roll and baked. But this recipe isn't like that. This hits different!
So put away the crock pot because you can make this easy little smokies recipe right on your stove top in a matter of minutes.
All you need for this lil smokies recipe is a frying pan, some simple ingredients from your local grocery store, and about 15-20 minutes. The results are perfectly cooked cocktail wieners that are salty, sweet, tangy, and smokey. They're the perfect party appetizer especially when dunked in my baja chipotle sauce!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cocktail Sausages: We're talking classic cocktail sausages. You know, the ones that are about 2-3 inches, tender on the inside with a snappy beef collagen casing on the outside. You could also cut up some hot dogs into quarters if you prefer.
- Modelo Beer: Modelo Beer adds so much flavor and seriously helps make this the perfect recipe. If you avoid alcohol, you could use a little beef stock instead.
- Brown Sugar: The sweet, tanginess of this cocktail sausage recipe wouldn't be possible without the brown sugar. I would not swap it for another time of sugar if you can avoid it.
- Chili Powder: Most of my favorite appetizer recipes have a sweet and smokey flavor. One of the easy ways to get that smokey goodness infused into these cocktail sausages is with chili powder or smoked paprika. I don't recommend using liquid smoke.
- Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice is best because the natural flavors are just so much more vibrant... but you could use shelf stable lime juice if you had to.
- Additional Add-ins: Want to give this easy recipe your own spin?! DO IT! Here are some popular additions when making cocktail weenies. Try worcestershire sauce or barbeque sauce. Or if you want to get real funky, try grape jam and your favorite kind of bbq sauce. If you wanted to go a different way and do an asian approach, try adding soy sauce, chili sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and fresh herbs like cilantro and scallions.
How to make them
First, add your cocktail sausages to a shallow pan in a single layer over medium high heat. I'm using a stainless steel pan from Madein and I love it.
Slowly pour beer on top - making sure that they're all submerged. Drop the heat down to medium and let it cook for 7-10 minutes or so. Depending on the size of your pan, cooking time may vary so be sure to watch your cocktail weiners as they cook.
Once almost all of the beer has almost evaporated, drop it down to low heat. DO NOT LET THE LIQUID EVAPORATE ALL THE WAY - it will turn bitter. Add the brown sugar, chili powder and lime juice and stir. Cook them down for another 2-4 minutes less or until a sticky glaze coats the outside of the cocktail sausages.
Serve them with little cocktail forks and my favorite baja chipotle sauce.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for a few days. For microwave ovens, place them on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. You could also add them to a baking sheet and place them in a 350 F oven.
What to serve with cocktail sausages
When it comes to easy appetizers, these beer braised cocktail sausages take the cake! Here are some of my favorite easy recipes to go with it.
- Easy Greek Appetizer Platter (Mediterranean Mezze Spread)
- CAVA Crazy Feta - Copycat Spicy Feta Dip Recipe
- Easy Chicken Sliders Recipe with Honey Mustard & BaconBalsamic Vinegar & Olive Oil Bread Dip - The Best Recipe!
- Fried Pickle Dip with White Cheddar
- Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Recipe
Glazed Cocktail Sausages (The Best Little Smokies Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz package Cocktail Sausages
- 1 12 oz can Modelo Beer
- ½ medium Lime juiced
- 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 recipe Baja Chipotle Sauce *optional*
Instructions
- First, add your cocktail sausages to a shallow pan in a single layer over medium high heat.
- Slowly pour the beer on top - making sure that they're submerged. Drop the heat down to medium and let it cook for 7-10 minutes or so. (Depending on the size of your pan, cooking time may vary so be sure to watch your cocktail weiners as they cook)
- Once almost all of the beer has almost evaporated (DO NOT LET IT ALL EVAPORATE - it will get bitter), drop the heat down to low. Add the brown sugar, chili powder and lime juice and stir. Cook them down for another minute or two or until a sticky glaze coats the outside of the cocktail sausages.
- Serve them with little cocktail forks and my favorite baja chipotle sauce.
