These Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies cooked in a Crock Pot with a sweet grape jelly and ketchup sauce are a delicious appetizer that couldn't be easier to prepare and your friends and family will love them.
COOK + BAKE | Updated January 27, 2026
COOK + BAKE | Updated January 27, 2026
One should always have a few appetizer recipes on hand that will wow guests but don't require a lot of prep or work.
Anytime you have visitors, your time is better spent socializing than slaving in the kitchen. That is one reason why I'm always a fan of serving some sliced meats, cheese balls, and crackers at get-togethers.
But there are times when you want to put a little more effort into preparing something delicious for your friends and family to enjoy. The slow cooker is as useful in those moments as it is for cooking your dinner as you go about your day.
One recipe I make quite often (whether guests are coming or not!) is for little cocktail hot dogs that are marinated with a mixture of grape jelly and ketchup.
I know......if you've never heard of these before, I'm sure you're as skeptical as I was before I tried them that this odd combination could taste even remotely good.
But after hours in a slow cooker, these Lit'l Smokies are one of the most delicious appetizers ever.
And best of all, aside from the few minutes spent tossing everything into the crock pot and lifting the lid a few times to stir it all, you're free to go about the rest of your day as they cook.
You can easily double or triple this recipe according to how many guests you plan on serving.
What You'll Need
For your convenience, a full ingredients list, directions for making these slow cooker cocktail hot dogs, and a printable recipe option appear further down in this article. Here is a brief overview of what you'll be needing.
- Cocktail Hot Dogs - If you've never heard of them, these are like miniature hot dogs. I prefer Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies and they come in all-beef, pork and chicken, or turkey options. You can also use two pounds of ordinary hot dogs cut into thirds.
- Ketchup - Choose your favorite brand or make your own!
- Grape Jelly
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Garlic Salt
You'll also need a slow cooker. Adding a slow cooker liner makes for easy cleanup with a recipe like this.
How to Make Cocktail Hot Dogs in a Ketchup and Grape Jelly Sauce
Making an appetizer in a Crock-Pot is so simple. You simply dump in the ingredients, do a few stirs until they are done, and can work on other party prep as they cook. Here is exactly how to make this delicious snack:
- Mix all of the ingredients together in the slow cooker. Stir everything together until the cocktail hot dogs are well coated and the ingredients thoroughly combined.
- Cook the combination on low for three to four hours, stirring occasionally until they are cooked and heated through.
- They are best served directly out of the slow cooker so that the Smokies and sauce remain hot.
If there are any leftovers, they can be served in an airtight container for up to a week. Heat them back up in a pan on the stovetop until hot.
So whether you want to mix together a batch for your next party, potluck, or you are just looking for an evening treat for your family, these Grape Jelly and Ketchup Cocktail Hot Dogs are a winning recipe you must try.
Other Appetizer Posts You Might Enjoy
Not-So-Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings - All the buffalo flavor without so much heat!
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball - Two popular flavors mixed into one delicious spread.
Homemade Potato Chips - Skip the bags and make your own with just potatoes and oil at home.
Mild Buffalo Chicken Dip - A little more ranch, a little less hot sauce.
Olive Pecan Cheese Log
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GRAPE JELLY COCKTAIL HOT DOGS
Lit'l Smokies and a delicious ketchup and grape jelly sauce cooked in a slow cooker.
Makes about 8 to 10 servings
PRINT RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
- 2 - 14 ounce packages of Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies (or 2 pounds of hot dogs cut into thirds)
- 2 cups Heinz ketchup
- 8 ounces grape jelly
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Mix all the ingredients together in a slow cooker and stir until cocktail hot dogs are well coated.STEP 2: Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally until you're ready to serve.