Lil Smokies Burnt Ends

If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a delicious snack that’s easy to make, look no further than Lil Smokies burnt ends. These bite-sized sausages are transformed into tender, flavorful morsels with the perfect balance of sweet and smoky. Whether you're hosting a game day party or just want a tasty treat, this recipe is sure to be a hit.

Let’s Prep

Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s get all our ingredients ready. Here’s what you’ll need to make these delectable Lil Smokies burnt ends:

Ingredients:

• 1 package of Lil Smokies
• 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
• ¼ cup of your favorite BBQ rub
• ½ cup of brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons of butter, cut into small pieces

Start by preheating your smoker to 250°F. While the smoker is heating up, place the Lil Smokies in a large bowl. Pour the BBQ sauce over the sausages, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. The BBQ sauce will act as a delicious glue, helping the BBQ rub to stick to the sausages.

Next, sprinkle your favorite BBQ rub over the sauced Lil Smokies. Toss them gently to ensure an even coating. The combination of BBQ sauce and rub will infuse the sausages with a rich, smoky flavor that’s simply irresistible.

Let’s Cook

Lil Smokies ahead!

Now that our Lil Smokies are prepped and ready, it’s time to get cooking. Place the sauced and rubbed Lil Smokies directly onto the smoker grate or in a smoker-safe dish. Make sure they are spread out in a single layer to ensure even cooking.

Smoke the Lil Smokies at 250°F for 1 hour. This initial smoking phase allows the flavors to penetrate the sausages and gives them a wonderful smoky aroma. After an hour, remove the Lil Smokies from the smoker.

In a smoker-safe dish, add ½ cup of brown sugar and 4 tablespoons of butter, distributing them evenly over the sausages. The brown sugar will caramelize as it cooks, creating a sweet and sticky glaze that perfectly complements the smoky flavor of the sausages. The butter adds richness and helps to meld all the flavors together.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil to lock in the flavors and return it to the smoker. Cook for an additional hour. This covered cooking phase allows the Lil Smokies to become incredibly tender and soak up all the delicious flavors.

Cooking in the Yard Store!

After an hour, remove the foil and give the Lil Smokies a good stir to mix the melted butter and brown sugar. Place the uncovered dish back on the smoker and smoke for another 30 minutes. This final phase allows the BBQ sauce to firm up to your liking, giving the sausages a beautiful, glossy finish.

Let’s Eat

Once your Lil Smokies burnt ends are perfectly cooked, remove them from the smoker and serve hot. These tasty morsels are perfect for serving at parties, family gatherings, or any time you want a delicious snack.

Lil Smokies burnt ends are incredibly versatile. You can serve them as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy snacking, or pile them onto a platter for a more substantial offering. They pair wonderfully with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, or even more BBQ sauce.

For a fun twist, try serving Lil Smokies burnt ends in slider buns with a bit of coleslaw for a tasty mini sandwich. They also make a great addition to a charcuterie board, adding a burst of smoky, savory flavor.

The combination of tender Lil Smokies, sweet caramelized brown sugar, and smoky BBQ sauce creates a flavor explosion that’s sure to impress your guests. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory, with just the right amount of spice from the BBQ rub.

Whether you’re serving them at a party or enjoying them as a snack, Lil Smokies burnt ends are a surefire hit. Their rich, smoky flavor and tender texture make them irresistible, and they’re so easy to make that you’ll find yourself whipping up a batch for every occasion.

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