x
  • Start Here
  • Free Keto Diet Plan
  • Keto Food Guide
  • Recipe Index
  • Meal Prep Course
  • Our Cookbooks
  • Our Ebooks
  • About The Keto Queens
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
cropped the keto queens logo

The Keto Queens

Making Keto Approachable

  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Fat Bombs
    • Main Course
    • Salads
    • Sauces and Condiments
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soup
    • Spice Mixes
  • Blog
  • Travel
    • USA
    • Europe
  • About
    • About Faith
    • About The Keto Queens
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
  • Shop
    • Our Cookbooks
    • Our Ebooks
    • Meal Prep Course
  • Members Login
  • Keto 101:
  • Keto Diet Explained
  • Beginner’s Guide
  • Keto Food List
  • Meal Prep
  • Keto Meal Plan
  • Low Carb Guide to Eating Out
Home Recipes

BBQ Lit’l Smokies Appetizer

bbq lit'l smokies appetizer featured image
Posted on November 23, 2019 By Lara
Jump to RecipePrint Recipe

This post has been sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. All thoughts and opinions are our own.

Our low-carb BBQ Lit’l Smokies appetizer plate is perfect for your next holiday party! This appetizer is made in just 12 minutes from start to finish, so it’s perfect if you’re short on time or need to make up another batch!

lit'l smokes low carb appetizer tray on a white background

The holidays are meant to be spent enjoying time with friends and family, and that’s why we love quick and easy appetizers. We’re all about reducing stress around the holidays, and these can do just that!

Today, we’re sharing our recipe for BBQ Lit’l Smokies made with Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies® Cocktail Links. We love these because they are so versatile and slow-cooked with natural spices using quality cuts of beef! We’re able to grab all the ingredients for this easy appetizer at H-E-B in one quick trip, making the whole process stress-free!

The secret is in the sauce! While traditional BBQ sauces are loaded with sugar and sometimes even high fructose corn syrup, we make our low carb BBQ sauce without either of those!

To make the low carb BBQ sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon liquid stevia
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper

First, stir together all ingredients in a saucepan with high sides (to help avoid splattering). Bring to a boil, and then cover with a lid (but keep the lid ajar), turn the heat down to simmer and cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken as it cooks and it will thicken more as it cools.

lit'l smokes in a white bowl on a white background

These have always been a family favorite, especially at Friendsgiving and other holiday events! There would always be a few slow cookers going with different flavored BBQ sauces.

We think this appetizer is great by itself, but impress your guests by adding it to a party tray and adding a few of your favorite cheeses and nuts! 

lit'l smokes low carb appetizer tray on a white background

To make this an awesome party tray, you’ll need the following:

  • 2-3 different types of cheese (hard cheeses are best for finger foods)
  • 2-3 different types of nuts or you can even get a can of mixed nuts without peanuts
  • Fresh Rosemary and Cranberries to make your platter look super festive!

We picked up the Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies because they’re made with farmhouse quality meats. Grab them at H-E-B in the prepared meat case on the back wall of the store. 

Tyson products on a white background

The staff at H-E-B were super helpful! I was looking for an item and I couldn’t find it. They checked on online and saw that it was available in the store. They wandered around the store with me until we both found it 🙂 

They also had a few other items that we picked up, including Aidells® Meatballs Teriyaki & Pineapple (we loved the unexpected flavor combinations as well as the high quality meats and ingredients) and Jimmy Dean® Fully Cooked Turkey Sausage.

With the Aidells Meatballs, they have enough flavor on their own, so just heat them up, put them on a white plate, and sprinkle with parsley. BOOM! You’re done.

tyson products in an HEB red bag

While you’re at H-E-B, be sure to grab some Wright Brand Bacon and make our bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed jalapeño poppers. These are always a crowd pleaser at our holiday parties. Not sure of your closest H-E-B? Find your closest store with their store locator. 

Looking for more holiday appetizers? Hop on over to Tyson and check out their holiday recipes.

If you have any friends or family that are from out of town and are staying with you, don’t forget to be great hosts and make them breakfast the next morning! We love Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Turkey Sausage because their signature seasonings are delicious and pair nicely with fried eggs in the morning. 

Jimmy Dean fully cooked turkey sausage on a white background

If you want to be a little fancier, whip up our chorizo breakfast hash and replace the chorizo with Jimmy Dean Roll Sausage. Your friends and family will be asking you to make them breakfast every morning after this meal!

Need even more holiday appetizer ideas? Check out this post we wrote about our favorite low-carb appetizers or our ebook with our favorite crowd-pleasing appetizers. 

Join our newsletter if you want to be notified when a new recipe or blog post is live ?

lit'l smokes low carb appetizer tray on a white background

BBQ Lit’l Smokies Appetizer

Our low-carb BBQ Lit’l Smokies appetizer plate is perfect for your next holiday party! This appetizer is made in just 12 minutes from start to finish!
Author: Faith
Servings: 8
Calories: 226
Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Print Pin Rate

Ingredients

  • 1 12-ounce pack Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies® Cocktail Links
  • 1/4 cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon scallion thinly sliced
  • 8 oz cheese
  • 4 oz mixed nuts no peanuts

Instructions

  • Add the sausage (with its juices) to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the liquid is evaporated and the sausages are browned, about 6 to 8 minutes—stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in the BBQ sauce and cook until warm, about 1 to 2 minutes—stirring constantly.
  • Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle on the scallion.
  • Serve.
Nutrition Facts
BBQ Lit’l Smokies Appetizer
Amount Per Serving
Calories 226 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 236mg10%
Potassium 120mg3%
Carbohydrates 5g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 292IU6%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 214mg21%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: appetizer, BBQ
Tried this recipe?Mention @TheRealKetoQueens or tag #TheKetoQueens!

I want to start keto!

Let's do this together! In a month you'll be happy you started. Take it one step at a time:

  1. Read this article about keto. It'll answer a ton of your questions.
  2. Calculate your macros. It's easy and we'll walk you through it.
  3. Find out what foods are keto. It's more than you might think!
  4. Put together your keto meal plan. Go with recipes you love, and try some new things too.
  5. Make your keto shopping list.
  6. Grocery shop. Cook. Enjoy. And reap the benefits of keto.

Connect and stay in touch!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Free 3 Day Meal Plan

Reader Interactions

Share Your Thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi! I'm Faith.

Hello! Whether you’re a keto newbie, already keto-adapted, or just keto-curious, you’re in the right place. Here at The Keto Queens, we share keto lifestyle tips, informative tidbits, and of course tasty low carb and keto recipes that your whole family will love. We want to inspire you, and show you that you can do this! Welcome to the family.

Read More About The Keto Queens


Facebook


Instagram


Pinterest


YouTube


Youtube

Find a Recipe

Or browse the Recipe Index

Don't miss out!

Get free keto recipes and lifestyle tips delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe »

Cookbooks

keto junk food cookbook cover
keto drinks cookbook cover
the keto meal plan cookbook resized to 750
Keto Bread cookbook Cover
keto power bowls cookbook cover

More Keto Books

Related Posts

bacon cheeseburger soup recipe without potatoes featured imageKeto Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
keto egg salad featured imageKeto Egg Salad
best low carb ip recipes featured imageThe Best Low Carb Instant Pot Recipes
instant pot ace blender cauliflower soup featured imageInstant Pot Ace Blender Cauliflower Soup

Ultimate Keto Diet Ebook Bundle

FacebookTweetPinYummly

Featured On

Let's Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Don’t miss out!
Get free keto recipes and lifestyle tips delivered to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup

shop
recipes
blog
about
contact
disclaimer | accessibility | privacy policy

The Keto Queens is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, The Keto Queens may receive a percentage of the sales price. We only recommend products that we love and use. To learn more, please read our Privacy Policy.
© 2024 The Keto Queens

Copyright © 2025 · The Keto Queens

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required
This site uses cookies to ensure the best user experience possible.ACCEPTNO THANKSPrivacy Policy