This 4-ingredient honey garlic sausage recipe is one of those ‘dump it in the slow cooker and walk away’ dinners that saves my sanity on busy weeknights. It reminds me of the kind of potluck dish you’d see at a church basement gathering here in the Midwest—simple, cozy, and guaranteed to disappear fast. The sweet-and-savory combo of honey and garlic makes these sausages sticky, saucy, and totally addictive, with almost no effort. It’s perfect for nights when you’re juggling work, kids’ activities, or just don’t feel like hovering over the stove, but still want something that tastes like you planned ahead.
These honey garlic sausages are super versatile, so you can dress them up or keep things low-key. I love serving them over fluffy white rice or buttered egg noodles to soak up all that sweet and garlicky sauce. If you’re feeling a little more classic Midwestern, pair them with mashed potatoes and a simple side of steamed green beans or roasted carrots. They also work great as a party appetizer—just slice them into bite-sized pieces and serve with toothpicks. For a lighter option, pile the sausages over a bed of mixed greens or alongside a simple chopped salad and some crusty bread to mop up the extra sauce.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Honey Garlic Sausages
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 pounds fully cooked sausages (such as smoked sausage, kielbasa, or bratwurst), sliced into 1–2 inch pieces
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium if preferred)
3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder)
Directions
Prepare the sausages: Slice the fully cooked sausages into 1–2 inch pieces. If you like a little extra texture, you can quickly brown them in a skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, but this step is optional.
Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic (or garlic powder) until smooth and well combined.
Add to slow cooker: Place the sliced sausages into the slow cooker in an even layer. Pour the honey garlic sauce over the top, stirring gently to coat all the pieces.
Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or on HIGH for 1 1/2–2 hours, until the sausages are heated through and the sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened.
Stir and serve: Give everything a good stir before serving to make sure each piece is coated in sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed—add a splash more soy sauce for saltiness or a drizzle of extra honey for sweetness.
Optional finishing touches: If you want the sauce a bit thicker, remove the lid for the last 20–30 minutes of cooking on HIGH, or transfer the sausages and sauce to a skillet and simmer for a few minutes. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Variations & Tips
To make this recipe your own, you can play around with the type of sausage and the balance of sweet and savory. Try using spicy sausage for a little kick, or chicken sausage if you want something lighter. If you like heat, add 1–2 teaspoons of sriracha, hot sauce, or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce. For a bit more depth, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of ketchup or barbecue sauce—it gives the dish a slightly tangy, smoky flavor that feels very potluck-friendly. You can also toss in extras like sliced onions or bell peppers at the start of cooking for a built-in veggie side. For meal prep, this dish reheats really well: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. If you’re feeding a crowd, you can easily double the recipe—just make sure your slow cooker isn’t filled more than about two-thirds full so everything heats evenly.
