Aunt denise sets these down and suddenly everyone is “just grabbing one more” until they’re gone.

These Southern Honey Mustard Lil Smokies are a game-changer for any tailgate or holiday spread. By using a blend of both yellow and Dijon mustards along with apple cider vinegar, you get a “Carolina-style” tang that perfectly balances the floral sweetness of the honey. The real secret here is the final broil; it transforms a liquid sauce into a thick, sticky glaze that clings to every bite, ensuring you don’t leave all the flavor at the bottom of the pan.

Honey Mustard Lil Smokies

Ingredients:

How To Make Honey Mustard Lil Smokies:

Step 1: Prep the Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a disposable aluminum pan (or a 9×13-inch baking dish) with nonstick spray. Placing the pan on a rimmed baking sheet makes it much easier to slide in and out of the oven without spills.

Step 2: Whisk the Glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, both mustards, brown sugar, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and all the spices. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and the sugar has mostly dissolved.

Step 3: Coat and Toss: Spread the cocktail sausages into an even layer in your pan. Pour the honey mustard glaze over the top and toss gently until every sausage is fully submerged.

Step 4: Bake to Bubbly: Bake for 25/30 minutes. At the halfway mark, give the sausages a gentle stir. You want the sauce to be bubbling and starting to reduce around the edges.

Step 5: The “Sticky” Finish: Turn your oven to Broil (High) for 2/4 minutes.

Tip: Do not leave the kitchen! The high sugar content in the honey and brown sugar can go from “beautifully caramelized” to “burnt” in seconds. You are looking for the sauce to become glossy and the sausages to get slightly browned edges.

Step 6: Rest and Set: Remove from the oven and let them sit for 5/10 minutes. This is crucial—as the temperature drops slightly, the glaze will thicken into a “clingy” sauce that won’t just run off the sausages when picked up with a toothpick.