Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes & Green Beans

When life gets busy, a comforting slow cooker dinner can make the evening so much easier. This Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes & Green Beans recipe is exactly the sort of meal I turn to when I want something hearty, flavourful and simple without spending ages in the kitchen.

Smoky cocktail sausages, tender baby potatoes and green beans cook together in a rich barbecue sauce, creating a satisfying combination of savoury, sweet and gently tangy flavours. The potatoes soak up some of that delicious sauce, while the sausages bring the familiar smoky taste that makes Lil Smokies such a favourite.

Best of all, this easy Crockpot Lil Smokies recipe uses just five main ingredients, including the salt and pepper. There’s no complicated preparation, no need to brown the sausages first in the supplied method, and only a few straightforward steps.

Simply add everything to your slow cooker, stir to coat, and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours. Then give everything another good stir and serve with crusty bread to soak up the barbecue sauce.

It’s a lovely choice for busy weeknights, relaxed family dinners or those evenings when you want the slow cooker to do most of the work.

Crockpot Lil Smokies Recipe Overview

Recipe: Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes & Green Beans
Recipe Type: Main Course
Cooking Method: Slow Cooker
LOW Cooking Time: 6 hours
HIGH Cooking Time: 3 hours
Main Ingredient: 1 package Lil Smokies
Potatoes: 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
Vegetables: 1 can green beans, or fresh green beans
Sauce: 1 cup barbecue sauce
Serving Suggestion: Crusty bread or a simple salad

Timing note: The source provides slow cooker cooking times but doesn’t specify preparation time or total time.

Yield note: The recipe doesn’t give a number of servings, and the exact package and can sizes aren’t specified.

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Lil Smokies

Perfect for busy evenings: Just combine the ingredients and let the slow cooker do the work.
Minimal preparation: Halve the baby potatoes and add everything to the pot.
Simple ingredients: Smoked sausages, potatoes, green beans and barbecue sauce.
Rich barbecue flavour: The sauce coats the sausages and vegetables as they cook.
Comforting and filling: Baby potatoes make this more substantial than a traditional Lil Smokies appetiser.
Flexible cooking schedule: Use the LOW or HIGH setting to suit your day.
Easy to customise: Add corn or carrots as optional extras.
Great with bread: Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the sauce.

Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes and Green Beans Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients from the original recipe:

1 package Lil Smokies
1 lb baby potatoes (approximately 454 g), halved
1 can green beans, or fresh green beans if preferred
1 cup BBQ sauce, your favourite variety
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Additions

Corn
Carrots

For Serving

Crusty bread
Simple salad

Ingredient note: The original recipe doesn’t specify the weight of the Lil Smokies package, the size of the green bean can or how much fresh green bean to use instead. Keep those differences in mind when choosing ingredients.

Ingredient Notes and Helpful Substitutions

Lil Smokies

The recipe calls for one package of Lil Smokies.

These small smoked cocktail sausages are popular in American slow cooker recipes because they bring plenty of savoury, smoky flavour.

Package sizes vary, so the amount of sausage in your finished meal will depend on the product you buy.

Check the packaging to confirm whether your sausages are fully cooked or require additional cooking.

For UK readers, fully cooked mini smoked sausages or cocktail sausages may be a suitable alternative, although the flavour and cooking requirements can differ.

Baby Potatoes

One pound of baby potatoes gives the recipe its hearty, comforting character.

The original method uses potatoes that have been cut in half.

Baby potatoes are particularly convenient because their skins are usually tender enough to leave on after washing.

Try to choose potatoes of a similar size so they cook evenly.

Green Beans

The recipe allows one can of green beans or fresh green beans.

Canned green beans are particularly convenient because they’re already tender.

Fresh green beans generally keep a firmer texture, depending on how long you cook them.

The source doesn’t specify whether canned beans should be drained, so that’s a texture decision rather than an original instruction.

Barbecue Sauce

One cup of BBQ sauce ties the whole dish together.

A sweeter sauce creates a sticky, sweet-smoky finish, while a spicy barbecue sauce adds heat.

Use a variety you genuinely enjoy, because its flavour will be prominent in the finished dish.

Salt and Black Pepper

Season to taste, but remember that smoked sausages and bottled BBQ sauces can already contain significant amounts of salt.

It’s worth tasting before adding too much extra seasoning.

Equipment You’ll Need

Slow cooker or Crockpot
Chopping board
Sharp knife
Measuring cup
Large spoon or heatproof spatula
Serving bowls or plates

Choose a slow cooker large enough to hold the sausages, potatoes, green beans and sauce comfortably, with enough space to stir.

How to Make Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes & Green Beans

The original recipe keeps the preparation wonderfully simple.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Wash the baby potatoes and cut them in half.

Have the Lil Smokies, green beans and barbecue sauce ready.

If using fresh green beans, wash and trim them as needed.
Step 2: Add Everything to the Slow Cooker

Place the following ingredients into the Crockpot:
- 1 package Lil Smokies
- 1 lb halved baby potatoes
- 1 can green beans, or fresh green beans
Spread the ingredients around the slow cooker so they’ll be easy to coat with sauce.
Step 3: Add the Barbecue Sauce and Seasoning

Pour 1 cup BBQ sauce over the sausages and vegetables.

Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Remember that the sausages and sauce may already contain salt.
Step 4: Stir to Coat

Give everything a good stir so the sausages, potatoes and green beans are coated with the barbecue sauce.
Step 5: Slow Cook

Cover with the slow cooker lid.

Cook using either of the original recipe’s settings:
- LOW: 6 hours
- HIGH: 3 hours
Before serving, check that the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork and the sausages are heated or cooked according to their packaging requirements.
Step 6: Stir and Serve

Give everything another good mix so the sauce coats the ingredients evenly.

Spoon into bowls or onto plates.

Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious BBQ sauce.

Should You Cook Lil Smokies on LOW or HIGH?

The original recipe offers two cooking options.

LOW for 6 Hours

The LOW setting is convenient when you want to prepare dinner earlier in the day and allow the ingredients to cook gradually.

The potatoes should become tender as the sauce warms and coats everything.

HIGH for 3 Hours

The HIGH setting is useful when you have less time.

It follows the same simple method but uses a shorter cooking period.

Which Setting Is Better?

Both timings come directly from the supplied recipe.

However, slow cookers vary in temperature and performance, and potato size can affect the result.

The most practical final check is whether the baby potatoes are fork-tender.

Also confirm the sausages are safe to serve according to the package instructions, especially if you’re using a product that isn’t fully cooked.

How to Get Tender Potatoes and Delicious Green Beans

Although this recipe is simple, the potatoes and green beans have different starting textures.

Baby Potatoes Need Time to Soften

Halving the baby potatoes helps them cook more evenly.

Check the largest pieces with a fork before serving.

Canned Green Beans Are Already Tender

Canned green beans generally start out much softer than fresh beans.

Cooking them for the full stated slow cooker time may make them very soft, which suits some people’s preferences.

Fresh Green Beans Have a Firmer Starting Texture

Fresh green beans may retain more structure, although the final texture depends on your slow cooker.

Barbecue Sauce Adds a Rich Coating

The sauce becomes a key part of the dish, bringing together the smoky sausages, potatoes and beans.

Extra Liquid Isn’t Included

The original recipe doesn’t call for water or stock.

Because barbecue sauces and slow cookers vary, check the mixture during cooking if your appliance’s instructions recommend doing so. Any additional liquid would be an adjustment rather than part of the source recipe.

Expert Tips for the Best Crockpot Lil Smokies Dinner

1. Choose a BBQ Sauce You Enjoy

Its flavour will dominate the finished dish, so pick a favourite.

2. Wash the Potatoes Well

Baby potatoes often keep their skins on, making a good wash especially important.

3. Cut the Potatoes Evenly

Halved potatoes of similar size are more likely to cook consistently.

4. Check the Sausage Packaging

Not all cocktail sausage products have the same preparation requirements.

5. Avoid Adding Too Much Salt

Smoked sausages and BBQ sauce can already be well seasoned.

6. Stir Before Cooking

Coat the potatoes and sausages evenly with the sauce.

7. Use the Recommended Cooking Setting

Follow the source’s LOW 6-hour or HIGH 3-hour timing.

8. Check Potato Tenderness

Use a fork to test the largest potato pieces before serving.

9. Consider Green Bean Texture

Canned beans will usually be softer than fresh beans after the same cooking time.

10. Give Everything a Final Stir

Mixing before serving helps redistribute the barbecue sauce.

11. Serve with Bread

A crusty loaf is ideal for soaking up the remaining sauce.

12. Keep the Recipe Simple

The original version relies on just a few ingredients, so there’s no need for complicated additions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Leaving Large Potatoes Whole

The recipe specifically calls for halved baby potatoes.

Using an Overfilled Slow Cooker

The ingredients need enough room to cook and be stirred properly.

Assuming Every Sausage Product Is Fully Cooked

Check the packaging before using different types of cocktail sausages.

Adding Too Much Salt Immediately

BBQ sauce and smoked sausages may already contain plenty of seasoning.

Forgetting to Stir the Ingredients

The original recipe calls for stirring before cooking and again before serving.

Expecting Canned and Fresh Beans to Have the Same Texture

They start at different levels of tenderness and may finish differently.

Ignoring the Potatoes at the End

Check that the potatoes are fully tender before serving.

Adding Too Many Optional Vegetables

Extra corn or carrots can change the slow cooker volume and cooking requirements.

Optional Crockpot Lil Smokies Variations

The original recipe includes a few easy ways to customise this meal.

Sweet BBQ Lil Smokies

Choose a sweet barbecue sauce for a sticky, sweet-smoky flavour.

Spicy BBQ Lil Smokies

Use your favourite spicy barbecue sauce for more heat.

Slow Cooker Lil Smokies with Corn

Add corn as an optional vegetable, following the original notes.

Slow Cooker Lil Smokies with Carrots

Add carrots for extra colour and sweetness.

If using raw carrots, cut them into suitable pieces and check that they’re tender before serving.

Fresh Green Bean Version

Choose fresh green beans instead of canned if you prefer.

Different Smoked Sausage Variation

In places where Lil Smokies aren’t readily available, another suitable smoked mini sausage may work, provided you follow its cooking instructions.

Note: The original recipe doesn’t specify quantities for optional corn or carrots.

What to Serve with Crockpot Lil Smokies and Potatoes

Crusty Bread

This is the original recipe’s first serving suggestion.

The bread is excellent for soaking up the rich, smoky barbecue sauce.

Simple Green Salad

A crisp salad adds freshness and balances the sweet, savoury flavours.

Buttered Bread Rolls

Soft bread rolls make another easy option for enjoying the sauce.

Coleslaw

Crunchy coleslaw can provide a cool contrast to the warm BBQ-coated sausages.

Steamed Vegetables

If you’d like more vegetables, steamed broccoli or carrots can accompany the meal.

For the simplest dinner, serve the Crockpot Lil Smokies, potatoes and green beans with crusty bread and a fresh side salad.

How to Store and Reheat Crockpot Lil Smokies

The original recipe doesn’t include storage directions. These are general guidelines for a properly cooked sausage and vegetable dish.

Refrigerating Leftovers

Cool the leftovers briefly and refrigerate promptly in covered, food-safe containers.

As general guidance, use refrigerated leftovers within approximately 3–4 days.

Reheating in a Saucepan

Place the sausages, potatoes, green beans and sauce in a saucepan over gentle heat.

Stir occasionally until everything is piping hot throughout.

Reheating in the Microwave

Transfer a portion to a microwave-safe dish and heat thoroughly, stirring partway through if needed.

Freezing

The original recipe doesn’t specify freezing instructions. Potatoes and green beans can change texture after freezing and thawing.

Make-Ahead Tip

You can wash and halve the baby potatoes shortly before cooking, or prepare other ingredients ahead following safe storage guidance.

For the best texture, cook according to the original slow cooker method and serve while hot.

Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Lil Smokies

What are Crockpot Lil Smokies, Potatoes and Green Beans?

They’re small smoked sausages slow-cooked with baby potatoes, green beans, barbecue sauce, salt and black pepper.

How many ingredients does the recipe use?

It uses Lil Smokies, baby potatoes, green beans, barbecue sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.

How much Lil Smokies do I need?

One package. The original recipe doesn’t specify the package weight.

How many potatoes does the recipe use?

One pound of baby potatoes, halved.

Do I need to peel the baby potatoes?

The original recipe doesn’t instruct you to peel them. Washing them thoroughly and leaving the tender skins on is a practical option.

Can I use fresh green beans?

Yes. The original recipe explicitly allows fresh green beans instead of canned.

Should I drain the canned green beans?

The source doesn’t specify. Draining them is an optional texture choice, but it changes how much liquid goes into the slow cooker.

What BBQ sauce should I use?

Any variety you enjoy. The original recipe suggests choosing a sweet or spicy sauce according to your preference.

How long should I cook Lil Smokies on LOW?

Six hours, according to the original recipe.

How long should I cook them on HIGH?

Three hours.

Do I need to brown the sausages first?

No separate browning step appears in the original method. However, always follow the sausage product’s cooking requirements.

Do I need to add water?

The original ingredient list doesn’t include water or stock.

How do I know when the potatoes are ready?

They should be tender when pierced with a fork.

Can I add corn?

Yes. Corn is an optional ingredient suggested in the original notes.

Can I add carrots?

Yes. Carrots are another optional addition.

Can I make the recipe spicy?

Yes. Choose a spicy barbecue sauce.

Can I make it sweeter?

Yes. A sweeter barbecue sauce changes the flavour without requiring extra ingredients.

What should I serve with it?

Crusty bread and a simple salad are the original serving suggestions.

Can I store leftovers?

Yes. Refrigerate promptly and follow appropriate food-safety storage guidance.

How many servings does it make?

The original recipe doesn’t specify a serving yield.

Can I use cocktail sausages instead of Lil Smokies?

Potentially, but sausage products vary. Choose a suitable alternative and follow its packaging instructions for safe cooking.