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I stumbled upon these Mississippi Cocktail Sausages while planning a sports viewing party and they've quickly become my favorite crowd hit. The way these smoky little links absorb that zesty pepperoncini butter mixture creates something absolutely wonderful in your crockpot. Whenever I bring these tasty bites out, they vanish before I can even turn around.
Effortless Party Wonder
What really grabs me about this dish is how it basically cooks itself. You'll spend just a few minutes getting things ready, then your crockpot handles the rest, building those incredible Mississippi tastes. The mix of sharp pepperoncini, smooth butter and well-seasoned little sausages has guests constantly coming back for more.
What You'll Need
- Lit'l Smokies: These small sausages work perfectly but I've thrown in cut-up polish sausage when in a pinch.
- Pepperoncini Juice: This gives that wonderful zing use plain water if you want something milder.
- Au Jus Gravy Mix: Makes that deep flavorful base I grab reduced salt when watching sodium.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: Adds just the right tangy kick I sometimes mix my own blend at home.
- Unsalted Butter: Pulls all the tastes together with creamy goodness.
- Pepperoncini Peppers: They add that gentle heat mild yellow peppers can work too.
Let's Get Cooking
- Ready Your Pot
- First dump those sausages into your crockpot then pour a good amount of pepperoncini juice over them.
- Add Your Flavors
- Toss your seasoning mixes across everything then add butter chunks and those tangy pepper pieces.
- Time to Wait
- Let everything cook together for several hours stirring now and then to mix the flavors around.
- Time to Enjoy
- Serve straight from the pot or put them in a nice dish don't forget to set out toothpicks.
Perfect Pairings
These tasty morsels go great with hot garlic bread or crunchy breadsticks. I'll sometimes put them over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice for something more filling. They're always the first food to disappear at gatherings no matter how I present them.
Make Life Easy
I often get everything ready the night before and just drop the container into my crockpot when it's time to start cooking. Any extras keep well in your fridge for quick snacks during the week or can be frozen perfectly for later get-togethers.
Mix It Up
I might throw in some cut onions or sprinkle extra red pepper when I want more kick. Putting a bunch of grated cheese on top to melt at the finish creates an amazing topping. You can try tons of changes once you get the hang of the main approach.
Why Everyone Loves These
There's just something about how these flavors work together that makes folks want seconds. The simple cooking method plus that rich tasty sauce turns these little sausages into stars at every party. Whether you're passing them as snacks or making them part of dinner they always wow everyone.
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Common Questions
- → How can I make these less spicy?
Simply swap out the pepperoncini juice for water, and leave out the peppers if you want it milder.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
Sure! Cook it, then leave it on the warm setting in your slow cooker. It'll stay ready to serve for hours.
- → Why use both ranch and au jus?
It's the combo that gives these smokies the signature savory tangy flavor associated with Mississippi dishes.
- → Is it possible to double the batch?
Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is big enough and stick to the same ingredient ratios.
- → Do I need to thaw frozen sausages first?
Yep, thawing ensures they cook evenly in the slow cooker.