Easy Crockpot Lil’ Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To elevate the flavor profile of this dish, consider browning the cocktail sausages in a hot skillet with a touch of oil before adding them to the slow cooker.

This extra step takes only a few minutes but creates a beautiful caramelized crust on the sausages, locking in their smoky juices and adding a deeper dimension of flavor to the entire slow-cooked mixture that pairs beautifully with the sweet honey.

If you find that your slow cooker runs particularly hot and the sauce is still too thin at the end of the cooking cycle, you can easily thicken it.

Whisk one tablespoon of cornstarch with one tablespoon of cold water to create a smooth slurry, stir it directly into the bubbling crockpot, and cook on high for an additional fifteen minutes until the glaze becomes thick, glossy, and beautifully bound to the ingredients.

Variations

• Spicy Honey-Garlic: Add one teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or a tablespoon of sriracha to the sauce for a sweet and spicy kick.
• Maple-Dijon Twist: Swap the honey for pure maple syrup and add two tablespoons of Dijon mustard for a tangy, rustic flavor profile.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.

Allow any leftovers to cool completely at room temperature for no more than two hours before transferring them to an airtight container. Store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. The flavors will actually continue to develop and deepen as the dish sits, making the leftovers taste even better the next day when the potatoes have fully absorbed the sweet glaze.

You can easily prep this entire meal the night before. Chop the potatoes and green beans, whisk the honey-garlic sauce together, and layer everything in the slow cooker insert. Cover the insert with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, simply place the insert into the heating base and set your cooking timer, adding an extra thirty minutes to the cook time.

Serving ideas

This hearty slow cooker meal is a complete dinner on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice, quinoa, or even mashed potatoes to soak up every last drop of the delicious honey-garlic glaze.

A light, crisp garden salad with a simple vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the sausages and glaze, balancing out the meal perfectly.

For a fun party presentation, you can serve these Lil' Smokies directly from the warm crockpot with a bowl of toothpicks nearby. This makes it an incredibly easy and popular appetizer for game days, potlucks, or holiday gatherings.

Garnish the top with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or finely sliced green onions just before serving to add a pop of color and a fresh, crunchy finish that guests will love.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Easy Crockpot Lil' Smokies with Potatoes and Green Beans

Prep 15 minCook 4 hRest 10 minTotal 4 h 25 minServes 6

Ingredients

• 14 oz cocktail sausages
• 1 1/2 lb baby potatoes, halved
• 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed and snapped
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Wash the baby potatoes thoroughly and slice them in half. Trim the ends of the fresh green beans and snap them into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth and emulsified.
3. Place the cocktail sausages, halved baby potatoes, and snapped green beans into the slow cooker insert. Pour the prepared honey-garlic glaze over the top and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
4. Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low for six to eight hours, or on high for three to four hours, until the potatoes are completely tender and the cocktail sausages reach a safe internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
5. Turn off the slow cooker and remove the lid. Stir the ingredients gently to redistribute the glaze, then let the dish rest for ten minutes before serving.

Contains: soy, gluten

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

340

Protein

12 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

17 g

Fiber

4 g

Sugar

15 g

Sodium

750 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.