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Recipe for Cocktail Weenies

This easy cocktail weenies recipe is always a hit at parties. It’s the perfect appetizer during football games, especially Big Game parties, as well as birthday parties and holiday parties.

I mean, is it even a party if you aren’t serving cocktail wienies?

Make this recipe for cocktail weenies with only three or four ingredients and minimal effort using your stove top or crock pot.

For more party appetizers, check out our Black Bean Avocado Taco Cups and other Big Game party food ideas.

Cocktail wieners in barbecue sauce in crock pot.

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Easy Cocktail Wieners Appetizers

This is one party appetizer I’ve come to expect, especially when homegating during football season.

It’s so simple to make and works well for just about any occasion.

Do You Have to Use Grape Jelly?

I know, I know, cooking cocktail weenies with grape jelly may sound odd, but the flavor of the sauce is so good. You don’t really taste the grape, but it cuts the barbecue sauce perfectly.

You don’t have to use grape jelly though, you can use any jelly flavor. If you really want to skip the jelly all together, you can. The sauce may not thicken up as much, but the cocktail smokies will still taste fine.

Party Cocktail Wienies Recipe

Cocktail Weenies Ingredients:

  • 1-2 packages of little smokies or cocktail wieners
  • 1 12oz jar grape jelly
  • 1 18oz bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)

You can use any jelly, any brand. I just get the store brand. Same goes for the BBQ sauce, but I like the tang of Sweet Baby Ray’s.

How to Make Cocktail Weenies

Whether you are making these on the stove or in a slow cooker, the preparation is essentially the same, but the cook time will vary. Lil smokies are small smoked sausages that need to be heated thoroughly before eating.

I prefer making these in a small crock pot so it is easier to keep them warm throughout the party.

Stove Top Method:

Start by emptying the whole jar of jelly and whole bottle of BBQ sauce into a medium sauce pan. Using medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally until nearly smooth.

Then stir in chili powder. Drain the wienies and stir them in.

Cover and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Serve with or without toothpicks. Yum!

Cocktail wienies on paper plate.

Crock Pot Method:

Add entire bottle of barbecue sauce and entire jar of jelly to a small slow cooker.

Add chili powder and stir. Add drained cocktail wieners and stir.

Heat on HIGH for about 2 hours or LOW for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Leave on WARM while serving.

More Party Food Recipes:

Cocktail wienies on paper plate.

Easy Cocktail Wienies Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This easy cocktail weenies recipe is the perfect appetizer during football games and holiday parties. Make with only 4 ingredients using stove or crock pot.

Ingredients

  • 1-2 packages of little smokies or cocktail wieners
  • 1 12oz jar grape jelly
  • 1 18oz bottle Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder (or to taste)

Instructions

Stove Top

  1. Start by emptying the whole jar of jelly and whole bottle of BBQ sauce into a medium sauce pan. Using medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally until nearly smooth.
  2. Then stir in chili powder.
  3. Drain the wienies and stir them in.
  4. Cover and simmer for at least 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Crock Pot

  1. Add entire bottle of barbecue sauce and entire jar of jelly to a small slow cooker (3-4 quart).
  2. Add chili powder and stir.
  3. Add drained cocktail wieners and stir.
  4. Heat on HIGH for about 2 hours or LOW for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  5. Leave on WARM while serving.

Notes

Cook time varies depending on method of preparing this recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

collage of cocktail weenies on plate and cooking in slow cooker with text overlay.

Nikki

Monday 24th of December 2018

So good! I experimented with more chilli powder and dry mustard, loved it!!!

Darcy Zalewski

Saturday 29th of December 2018

Those sound like great additions! Thank you for sharing, Nikki!

25 Must Make New Year's Eve Party Appetizers » Tales From the Nursery

Wednesday 30th of December 2015

[…] Cocktail Wienies […]

Journeysof TheZoo

Tuesday 24th of January 2012

Mmmm, cocktail wienies. Deadly!

dv8

Monday 23rd of January 2012

A little bit of peanut butter can complement the jelly. (It goes well with the chili and BBQ sauce.)

Darcy

Tuesday 24th of January 2012

I'm finding peanut butter tastes good with many things I didn't think it would!

Denise Taylor-Dennis

Monday 23rd of January 2012

Simple and yummy I haven't had these in a long time.

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