Keto Cocktail Weenies

Prep: 5 min Cook: 20 min Total: 25 min Servings: 11
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published December 18, 2022 • Updated November 28, 2025

A classic party favorite

Reader Rating
5 Stars (2 Reviews)
5 Ingredients or LessDairy FreeEasyEgg FreeInstant PotNut FreeOne PotSlow Cooker

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This three ingredient keto lil' smokie recipe is a favorite around the holidays and at potlucks. Lit'l Smokie Cocktail Weenies are slowly cooked with sugar-free BBQ sauce and grape jelly to create a delicious smoky, sweet comfort finger food.

A low-carb version of America’s favorite cocktail weenie appetizer, this keto lil’ smokie recipe is an easy dish you can throw together when you have guests coming for a party. Keep the lil’ smokie theme going and serve with these stuffed jalapeno poppers or even serve the leftover sauce with easy meatballs made in the air fryer. A toothpick holding a lit'l smokie sausage over a bowl. Everyone loves these cute little sausages – especially when you slow cook them in BBQ sauce and grape jelly. The flavor is a knockout!! These keto cocktail weenies give a smoky, heat mixed with sweet hints of grape with every beefy bite. And with a few simple substitutions for the BBQ sauce and grape jelly, you can enjoy a favorite appetizer without all the added sugar!

How to make cocktail weenies

  1. Pour sugar-free BBQ sauce into a crockpot, Instant Pot or sauce pan.
  2. Add sugar-free grape jelly.
  3. Dump lit’l smokies into the pot. Stir.
  4. Let slow cook for the time specified below in the recipe.
  A bowl with cocktail weenies smothered in sauce.
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Keto Cocktail Weenies

5 (2) Prep 5m Cook 20m Total 25m 11 servings

Ingredients

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Combine ingredients

Add BBQ sauce, grape jelly and cocktail weenies to a slow cooker, pressure cooker or sauce pan. Stir to combine.

A slow cooker with lit'l smokies dumped into it.
2
Slow cooker instructions

Cover and slow cook on high for 2-3 hours.

An instant pot with cooked cocktail weenies in sauce.
Tip To thicken the sauce after smokes are done cooking, pour some of the sauce into a saucepan and let simmer over medium-high heat until the sauce has thickened.
3
Instant Pot instructions

Add 1/4 cup water to the ingredients in the Instant Pot liner to prevent burning. Place the lid on, set valve to sealing and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Quick release pressure after done cooking. Stir. Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode and let cook until sauce has thickened.

A finger pressing the start button on an Instant Pot.
4
Stove top instructions

Heat all ingredients in a saucepan over medium to medium-low heat. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the cocktail sausages are heated through and sauce has thickened.

A sauce pan over a gas burner on a stove top.
Nutrition Per Serving 6 smokies
214 Calories
16g Fat
9.8g Protein
4.1g Net Carbs
8.5g Total Carbs
11 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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A bowl of keto cocktail weenies covered in grape bbq sauce with text that reads 'keto cocktail weenies".

Keto approved cocktail weenies

Although the brand Lit’l Smokies may not contain the cleanest of keto ingredients, they are low in carbs (only 2 grams net carbs per 5 sausages). You can easily fit that into your macros. If you are looking for a cleaner keto version that is grass-fed, contains no sugar, gluten-free and nitrate free, Teton Waters Ranch makes a cocktail sausage that can be found at some grocery stores or purchased online. These weenies are < 1 g carbohydrate for five of them.
A hand holding a toothpick stabbed into a cocktail sausage.

Sugar free BBQ sauce options

There are many keto BBQ sauce options you can use in this keto appetizer recipe. The bottle sugar free sauce all have about the same carbohydrates per tablespoon (1 gram carb). You can always make your own low-carb BBQ sauce if you have the time. This is often more budget friendly and it won’t contain any unnecessary filler ingredients. But it’s easy just to buy it, so here are some brands I love:

Keto grape jelly

Traditional grape jelly is loaded with sugar! However, there are some brands you can find that are making sugar free grape jelly.
  • ChocZero Grape Jam – A sugar-free Concord Grape spread that is only 1 g net carb per tablespoon. Use code KETOFOCUS to have 10% off your order!
  • Good Good Grape Jelly – Sweetened with erythritol and stevia and only 1 g net carb per tablespoon. Does have 1 g sugar from the grape juice concentrate.
  • Skinny Girl Merlot Grape – Only 1 g net carb per tablespoon; however, this brand does contain maltodextrin and sucralose.

Storage instructions

This is an ideal keto appetizer to make up a few days ahead of time and store in the refrigerator until the day of the party. Reheat in the stove top for 10-15 minutes over medium heat. Any leftover keto lil smokies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
Keto Cocktail Weenies

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat lil smokies without cooking them?

Yes, they are fully cooked when you buy them; however, it's always best to check the packaging before consuming anything.

Are lit'l smokies keto?

Yes! Smokies are low in carbs and high in fat. There are around 1-2 grams of carbs per 5 weenies.

What is a cocktail weenie?

Cocktail weenies a mix of pork or beef sausage; although, you can find them that are all pork or all beef sausage. They are small enough to be eaten in a single bite making them a popular appetizer to be served at a gathering like a cocktail party.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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Reviews 2
5 Stars (2 Reviews)
  1. K
    Kevin May 15, 2025

    Tried this for a holiday potluck and they were a hit. I used the stove top method and it worked perfectly. The sugar-free grape jelly added a really nice sweetness.

    Reply
  2. L
    Lindsey Mar 21, 2025

    I made these for our game night using the Instant Pot. They were done in no time and had a great balance of sweetness and smokiness. Low carb and super easy. Thanks love!

    Reply

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