If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful dish that feels like pure comfort food, this BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe is going to become your new go-to. I absolutely love how the smoky sausage melds with the sweetness of the peppers and onions, all glazed in a sticky, tangy BBQ sauce that makes every bite sing. It’s one of those recipes that’s incredibly simple but tastes like you spent hours preparing it.
What I find so great about this BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe is how versatile it is—you can whip it up for a casual weeknight dinner, bring it to a potluck, or even serve it as an impressive party appetizer. Plus, it comes together in about 15 minutes, which is perfect for those times when you want something delicious but don’t want to stand over the stove forever.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick to Make: It takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish — perfect for busy nights.
- Bold Flavor Combo: The smoky sausage paired with sweet peppers and tangy BBQ sauce creates a crowd-pleasing taste.
- Great for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual dinner or a party appetizer, this recipe fits right in.
- Minimal Ingredients: With just a few simple ingredients, it’s an easy recipe to keep on repeat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing fresh, simple ingredients is key here because each one shines through in this BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe. Stick to good-quality smoked sausage and ripe veggies for the best flavor.
- Smoked sausage: I like using kielbasa or any smoked variety for that rich, smoky flavor.
- BBQ sauce: Pick your favorite bottle or homemade sauce—sweet, spicy, or smoky all work beautifully.
- Sweet onion: Yellow or Vidalia onions add the perfect mild sweetness once broiled.
- Red bell pepper: Adds color, crunch, and a natural sweetness to balance the savory sausage.
Variations
One of the things I love about this BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Feel free to swap in different peppers, try spicy sausage for a kick, or even make it vegetarian with your favorite plant-based sausage alternatives.
- Spicy Upgrade: Adding diced jalapeño or swapping the sausage for a spicy chorizo amps up the heat, and my family goes crazy for it this way.
- Smoky Sweet Mix: Try mixing red and yellow bell peppers for a colorful, sweeter flavor profile I’ve found kids especially love.
- Grill It: When the weather’s nice, grilling the sausage bites and veggies really infuses that comforting smoky barbecue aroma—one of my favorite twists on this recipe.
- Vegetarian Option: Using smoked plant-based sausage substitutes works surprisingly well; just be sure to adjust cooking time based on package instructions.
How to Make BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Slice Everything Evenly
Start by preheating your broiler to high — this gives you that beautiful char and caramelization in minutes. Slice the smoked sausage into roughly 1-inch pieces, and chop the onion and red bell pepper into similarly sized chunks. This size ensures everything cooks evenly and looks great on the plate.
Step 2: Broil Sausage and Veggies
Spread the sausage, peppers, and onions on a foil-lined baking pan, then slide it onto the top oven rack. Broil for about 9 minutes, watching closely—the sausage should just start to blacken a bit, which adds that amazing smoky flavor. Keep an eye on it because broilers vary and you don’t want it to burn, just get that slight char.
Step 3: Toss with BBQ Sauce and Finish Broiling
Once out of the oven, transfer everything to a large bowl and stir in about ½ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce until everything is well coated. Pour it right back onto the baking pan and broil again for just 4 minutes, or until you see the sauce start to bubble and caramelize but before it burns. This step is where the magic happens and really kicks the flavor up.
Step 4: Serve Immediately and Enjoy
Once done, remove from the oven and serve hot. The sausage will be juicy, the peppers tender but still vibrant, and the onions caramelized beautifully — I promise your family or guests will be asking for seconds before you know it.
Pro Tips for Making BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe
- Watch That Broiler: Broilers can burn food quickly, so keep a close eye to get a perfect char without burning—this makes all the difference.
- Uniform Sizing: Cutting your sausage and veggies into uniform pieces helps everything cook evenly and finish at the same time.
- Use Foil for Easy Clean-Up: Lining your pan with foil saves you from scrubbing later and helps with even heat distribution.
- Stir Before Second Broil: Tossing the ingredients well with BBQ sauce before the final broil ensures every piece is coated and caramelized.
How to Serve BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe
Garnishes
I often top this dish with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions to add a pop of color and freshness. A little dash of crushed red pepper flakes also works wonders if you like a touch of heat. These small touches really bring the dish together visually and flavor-wise.
Side Dishes
This BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery corn on the cob. For something lighter, a crisp green salad or coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch. When I’m feeling indulgent, I serve it with thick slices of toasted garlic bread to soak up all those delicious juices.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I sometimes pile the sausage and pepper mixture into soft buns for easy handheld sliders, great for parties or game day. Another fun idea is to serve it over creamy polenta or rice, making it more of a hearty meal to impress guests. You could also keep it warm in a slow cooker during gatherings so everyone can help themselves.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator where they keep well for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after resting overnight, so sometimes I find the next-day leftovers taste better than fresh!
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully too. Just cool completely, portion into freezer-safe bags or containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or extra BBQ sauce if things have dried out a touch. Heating slowly helps keep the sausage juicy and the veggies tender without overcooking.
FAQs
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Can I make this BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe on the grill?
Absolutely! Grilling adds an extra smoky depth to the dish. Just thread the sausage bites and veggies on skewers or place them in a grill basket, cooking over medium-high heat and turning frequently until nicely charred and cooked through. Toss with BBQ sauce near the end and grill briefly to caramelize.
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What type of BBQ sauce is best to use?
Use whichever BBQ sauce you love most, whether that’s sweet and smoky, spicy, or tangy. I often reach for a hickory-smoked or honey BBQ sauce, but feel free to experiment to match your taste preferences.
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How do I prevent the food from burning under the broiler?
Broilers vary widely in heat output, so keep a very close watch during cooking and adjust timing if needed. Instead of walking away, stand nearby and check every couple of minutes—removing the pan the moment things start to brown too much.
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Can I use other types of sausage?
Yes! Smoked sausages like kielbasa or andouille work great, but you can also try bratwurst, Italian sausage, or even pre-cooked sausages you love. Just adjust cooking times if sausages are raw.
Final Thoughts
This BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s that perfect balance of fast, flavorful, and fuss-free. I remember the first time I made it for friends—they couldn’t believe something so simple tasted so good! I’m confident you’ll enjoy making (and eating!) it just as much. Give it a try next time you want a satisfying dish that feels like a warm hug after a long day.
Print
BBQ Smoked Sausage with Peppers and Onions Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
Description
A quick and flavorful BBQ Smoked Sausage recipe featuring smoky sausage bites broiled with sweet onions and red bell peppers, tossed in tangy BBQ sauce, perfect for a delicious appetizer or easy meal.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 14 ounce smoked sausage
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 medium sweet onion
- 1 medium red bell pepper
Instructions
- Preheat broiler: Preheat your oven broiler to high heat to prepare for quick cooking and caramelization of the sausage and vegetables.
- Prepare ingredients: Slice the smoked sausage into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Chop the sweet onion and red bell pepper into similarly sized 1-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Broil initial mixture: Arrange the sliced sausage, chopped onions, and peppers on a foil-lined baking pan. Place the pan on the top oven rack under the broiler and broil for approximately 9 minutes, or until the sausage begins to char slightly.
- Toss with BBQ sauce: Carefully remove the pan from the oven, transfer the sausage, peppers, and onions into a large bowl, and toss thoroughly with ½ cup of BBQ sauce to coat all pieces evenly.
- Broil with sauce: Pour the BBQ-coated mixture back onto the baking pan and return it to the broiler for an additional 4 minutes, watching closely until the sauce begins to bubble and edges almost burn to intensify the flavor.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately, enjoying the smoky, tangy, and slightly caramelized sausage and vegetables.
Notes
- Food can burn quickly under the broiler; monitor closely to prevent burning, as broiling times vary by oven heat.
- For serving at parties, keep the cooked sausages warm in a crock pot instead of a serving platter.
- This recipe can easily be adapted for grilling: cook sausage bites on the grill over high heat, turning frequently, then baste with BBQ sauce and cook briefly again for caramelization.
