Dinner

Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies Recipe

ByMaya Quinn January 19, 2026January 19, 2026

Introduction

Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies are a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors wrapped around tender bite-sized sausages. This easy appetizer is ideal for parties, game days, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing snack.

The image shows a close-up of seven thick sausages stacked in a pile on a white plate, each covered with a shiny, rich red-brown sauce that glistens under the light. The sauce looks sticky and smooth with small bits of crushed red pepper spread evenly on the surface. Three wooden skewers are pierced vertically through the sausages, holding them together. The sausages have a slightly textured, caramelized skin visible beneath the sauce, adding a golden-brown detail. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, contrasting with the deep colors of the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (14-ounce) package beef or pork Lil Smokies
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as sriracha or Frank’s Red Hot)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Chopped parsley or green onions, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic in olive oil for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 2: Add the Lil Smokies to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and heated through.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, hot sauce, and soy sauce until well combined.
Step 4: Pour the sauce over the Lil Smokies and stir to coat them evenly.
Step 5: Let the sausages simmer in the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Step 6: Remove from heat. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Serve warm with toothpicks.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, increase the amount of hot sauce or add more red pepper flakes.
To make it gluten-free, ensure the soy sauce is tamari or another gluten-free variety.
Swap parsley for cilantro or basil for a different fresh flavor.
Try mixing in a splash of lime juice to brighten the sauce before serving.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. Stir well before serving to redistribute the sauce.

How to Serve

A pile of small meatballs covered in a shiny reddish-brown sticky glaze with visible specks of red chili flakes on their surface, each meatball held together by a small wooden toothpick, stacked in three layers on a white plate, with the glaze slightly dripping onto the plate, set against a blurred soft background and a white marbled texture beneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use turkey or chicken Lil Smokies instead of beef or pork?

Yes, turkey or chicken Lil Smokies work well with this recipe and offer a leaner option without sacrificing flavor.

Is there a way to make this dish less spicy?

To reduce the heat, use less hot sauce and omit the red pepper flakes. You can also substitute a milder hot sauce to suit your taste.

Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 56 reviews

This Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, featuring bite-sized sausages glazed in a honey, garlic, and hot sauce mixture. It’s a quick and easy appetizer ideal for parties, game day, or casual snacking.

Author: Maya
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 (14-ounce) package beef or pork Lil Smokies
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce Ingredients

1/3 cup honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as sriracha or Frank’s Red Hot)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish

Chopped parsley or green onions (for garnish)

Instructions

Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Cook Lil Smokies: Add the Lil Smokies to the skillet and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and heated through.
Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, hot sauce, and soy sauce until well combined. Pour the sauce over the Lil Smokies in the skillet and stir to coat evenly.
Simmer: Let the sausages simmer in the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the sausages.
Finish: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if desired and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions. Serve warm with toothpicks for easy snacking.

Notes

Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the level of spiciness to suit your taste.
Use gluten-free soy sauce if you need a gluten-free option.
Serving warm is best as the glaze thickens and sticks better to the Lil Smokies.
These can be prepared ahead and reheated gently before serving.
For a milder version, omit red pepper flakes.

Keywords: Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies, spicy appetizer, sweet and spicy sausage, party appetizer, easy snack

Maya Quinn

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