The tangy-sweet sauce with that hint of heat makes these sausage bites impossible to resist.
The best part? They’re ridiculously simple to make.
Just slice, simmer, and serve!
Ingredients
- 2 packages (14 oz each) smoked sausage or kielbasa
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Toothpicks for serving
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
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Instructions
- Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage slices for about 2-3 minutes on each side. You may need to do this in batches. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet (after removing excess grease), combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), honey, and apple cider vinegar.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Return the sausage slices to the skillet, stirring to coat them evenly with the sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the sausage bites.
- Transfer to a serving dish, insert toothpicks, and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These BBQ sausage bites are perfect for busy days when you need to bring something to a gathering but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
They require minimal prep work but deliver maximum flavor.
The combination of smoky sausage with the sweet-tangy sauce creates a perfect balance that appeals to all ages. Kids love them as much as adults do!
They’re incredibly versatile too.
You can easily adjust the heat level by adding more red pepper flakes for spice lovers or omit them entirely for a milder version.
Another huge plus: these can be made ahead of time and reheated, or served at room temperature, making them perfect for transporting to events.
Tips for Success
- For the best flavor, use a high-quality smoked sausage. I’ve found that kielbasa or andouille sausage works particularly well.
- If you’re short on time, you can skip browning the sausage, but that extra step adds a wonderful depth of flavor.
- The sauce can be customized to your taste—add a splash of bourbon for a grown-up twist or a tablespoon of maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
- These bites keep well in a slow cooker on the warm setting for parties, making them perfect for grazing.
- For a prettier presentation, use colorful toothpicks or small skewers with decorative tops.
Easy BBQ Sausage Bites
These glazed BBQ sausage bites are the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer for any gathering. Sliced smoked sausage is simmered in a sweet-tangy sauce made with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and seasonings until thick and caramelized.
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 40 bites 1x
Ingredients
- 2 packages (14 oz each) smoked sausage or kielbasa
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- Toothpicks for serving
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage slices for about 2-3 minutes on each side. You may need to do this in batches. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
- In the same skillet (after removing excess grease), combine BBQ sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (if using), honey, and apple cider vinegar.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring frequently until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Return the sausage slices to the skillet, stirring to coat them evenly with the sauce.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the sausage bites.
- Transfer to a serving dish, insert toothpicks, and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
