Description
These smoky, sweet, and spicy sausage bites are a Southern favorite, perfect for parties or breakfast. Smoked sausage is browned in a cast-iron skillet and simmered in a homemade barbecue-style sauce made with pure cane syrup, bourbon, and spicy mustard for a flavorful twist. Serve them warm from the skillet or keep them cozy in a slow cooker for easy entertaining.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 tbsp. canola oil
- 2 lb. spicy hickory-smoked sausage (such as Conecuh), sliced diagonally into 1 1/2-inch-thick pieces (about 6 cups)
- 1/2 cup pure cane syrup (such as Steen’s)
- 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 2 tbsp. spicy brown mustard
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
-
Brown the Sausage:
- Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add half of the sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned (about 4–5 minutes).
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Repeat with the remaining sausage.
- Pour the drippings into a small heatproof bowl, set aside to cool, and discard later (do not wipe the skillet clean).
-
Make the Sauce:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together cane syrup, brown sugar, ketchup, bourbon, spicy mustard, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined.
- Pour the sauce into the skillet and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens slightly (about 2–3 minutes).
-
Coat the Sausage:
- Return the sausage to the skillet, stirring until well coated with the sauce.
- Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until heated through (about 1 minute).
Notes
- For easy serving at a party, keep the sausage bites warm in a slow cooker.
- These can also be made ahead and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg