Charred Smoked Sausage Skewers with Spicy Chipotle Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Smoked sausage links grilled over high heat for a smoky char, coated in a spicy and slightly sweet chipotle barbecue glaze perfect for casual gatherings. This american-inspired grilling ready in about 80 minutes turns tablespoons olive oil, tablespoons honey, ketchup into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 40 min Cook: 40 min Serves 6 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your grill or smoker to 300°F and soak 1 cup of wood chips in water for 30 minutes. Thread 12 smoked sausage links onto skewers, brushing each with 2 tablespoons olive oil to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: Place the sausage skewers on the grill grates or smoker rack and add the soaked wood chips to the heat source to create smoke. Cook for 30 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even smoke and heat.
  3. Step 3: While the sausages smoke, whisk together 2 tablespoons minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 3 tablespoons honey, 1/2 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl.
  4. Step 4: Increase grill heat to medium-high (about 425°F). Remove the sausages from the smoker and brush generously with the chipotle glaze. Grill the sausages for 5-7 minutes, turning and basting with more glaze until the edges are charred and caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving the skewers with any remaining spicy glaze on the side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Charred Smoked Sausage Skewers with Spicy Chipotle Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (40 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charred Smoked Sausage Skewers with Spicy Chipotle Glaze?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Smoked Sausage Skewers with Spicy Chipotle Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charred Smoked Sausage Skewers with Spicy Chipotle Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Charred Smoked Sausage Skewers with Spicy Chipotle Glaze?

American grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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