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Mississippi Lil’ Smokies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 75 reviews
  • Author: Mary
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours (slow cooker) or 30 minutes (stovetop)
  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Southern
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Mississippi Lil’ Smokies are a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer featuring beef or pork cocktail sausages simmered in a buttery blend of ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, and tangy pepperoncini peppers. Perfect for game days, parties, or potlucks, these smokies deliver a savory, mildly spicy bite that is sure to please any crowd.


Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1 (14-ounce) package beef or pork cocktail sausages (Lil’ Smokies)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ounce dry ranch seasoning mix (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1 ounce au jus gravy mix (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 4 to 6 pepperoncini peppers, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon pepperoncini juice


Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients. In a slow cooker or saucepan, combine the Lil’ Smokies, unsalted butter, dry ranch seasoning mix, au jus gravy mix, sliced pepperoncini peppers, and pepperoncini juice. Stir everything together thoroughly to coat the sausages evenly with the seasoning and juices.
  2. Cook Slowly. If using a slow cooker, set it on low heat and cook the mixture for 2 to 3 hours. Alternatively, if cooking on the stovetop, place the saucepan over low heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to let the flavors meld.
  3. Serve Warm. Once the Lil’ Smokies are heated through and infused with the flavorful sauce, serve them warm. Provide toothpicks for easy snacking, making them ideal for parties or casual gatherings.

Notes

  • Perfect for game days, parties, or potlucks.
  • For extra heat, add more pepperoncini peppers or a splash of hot sauce.
  • Can be kept warm in the slow cooker during serving to maintain temperature and flavor.