Top Picks for Tastiest Little Smokies Brands

Lil Smokies, those bite-sized savory sausages, have become a staple for party appetizers and quick snacks across households. With their delightful flavor and versatility in recipes, choosing the right brand can elevate any culinary experience. Brands like Hillshire Farm, known for their classic taste and high-quality ingredients, often top the list among consumers. Johnsonville also offers a flavorful variety, prized for their unique blend of spices. For a comprehensive rundown of the best lil smokies brands available, read on below.

Illustration of lil smokies

Best brands of lil smokies in 2025

Hillshire Farm

Hillshire Farm, a brand owned by Tyson Foods, is renowned for its high-quality meat products, particularly the popular "Lit'l Smokies" line of bite-sized smoked sausages. Introduced in the mid-20th century, these sausages are made with quality cuts of pork and chicken, smoked to perfection, and are fully cooked, ready in minutes. Each serving of Lit'l Smokies contains 190 calories, 26% of the daily value for total fat, and 22% of the daily value for sodium. Since 1934, Hillshire Farm has stood for honest, handcrafted meats, reflecting the brand's commitment to quality and integrity. The brand's products are widely available and are a favorite for parties and snacks.

Nathan's Famous

Nathan's Famous is renowned for its high-quality products, including its popular Lil' Smokies, which are a staple in many retail and foodservice settings. In fiscal 2023, the company saw a significant increase in sales, with royalties from the retail agreement with Smithfield Foods rising by 4% to $29,998,000, and the Branded Product Program, which includes Lil' Smokies, experiencing a 15% increase in volume and a 4% increase in average selling price. This growth is attributed to stronger attendance at venues such as professional sports arenas, amusement parks, and shopping malls. Nathan's Famous products are marketed in approximately 79,000 locations worldwide, including supermarkets and mass merchandisers. The company's diverse business lines and strong brand recognition have driven its performance despite challenges like supply-chain and inflationary changes. For more information, visit the Nathan's Famous website.

Johnsonville

Johnsonville, though not the producer of Lit'l Smokies, is a renowned brand in the sausage industry, particularly known for its high-quality bratwurst, Italian, snack, and breakfast sausages. Founded in 1945 by Ralph F. and Alice Stayer, Johnsonville has grown to become the No. 1 national sausage brand, available in over 45 countries. The company, still family-owned and operated, employs around 3,500 members and generates an annual revenue of $1.2 billion. Johnsonville's products are made in their Midwest facilities, ensuring a commitment to quality and local production. With a history of innovation and expansion, Johnsonville has increased its sales significantly, such as a 20-fold increase in sales from the mid-1980s.

Hebrew National

Hebrew National, renowned for its high-quality kosher products, has been a trusted name in the hot dog industry since 1905, producing 100% beef franks without artificial colors, fillers, or by-products. While they are best known for their kosher beef franks, their commitment to kosher standards and premium ingredients makes them a reliable choice for other products as well. Although specific information on "lil smokies" is not provided, their reputation for quality and kosher certification extends across their product line. Founded by Theodore Krainin, the company has maintained its standards through various ownership changes, including its current operation under ConAgra Inc since 1993. Hebrew National's products are certified by Triangle K, ensuring their kosher status.

Eckrich

Eckrich is renowned as one of the best producers of Li'l Smokies, offering high-quality, naturally hardwood smoked sausage links that are gluten-free and made in the USA. These fully cooked, heat-and-eat sausages are ideal for appetizers and snacks, with each serving of 6 links containing 180 calories, 14g of total fat, and 5g of protein. The Original Cocktail Smoked Sausage and the Beef Cocktail Smoked Sausage variants are popular choices, with the beef version having 15g of total fat and 6g of saturated fat per serving. Eckrich's Li'l Smokies are widely appreciated for their convenience and flavor, making them a staple in many gatherings. The sausages can be easily prepared on the grill, in a skillet, or in the microwave. For more information, visit their website about Eckrich Li'l Smokies.

Ball Park

Ball Park Franks, a renowned brand under Tyson Foods, may not be specifically known for producing 'lil smokies,' but it is a leading producer of hot dogs and other sausage products. Ball Park Franks were introduced in 1958 and have since become the most consumed hot dog in America, with 94.9 million consumers in 2017 and annual sales topping half a billion dollars. In 2022, Ball Park Franks were the leading selling refrigerated frankfurter with $160.7 million in sales. The brand offers various varieties, including Prime Beef Franks, Angus Beef Franks, and Turkey Franks. Its popularity is underscored by its widespread presence in ballparks and grocery stores across the U.S. For more information, check out their official website.

Oscar Mayer

Oscar Mayer is a leading manufacturer of processed meats, including the popular 'lil smokies,' which have been a staple in the market since the mid-20th century. By the 1950s, Oscar Mayer, along with other companies like Jones Dairy Farm and Stark & Wetzel, was already marketing these miniature smoked sausages. Oscar Mayer's parent company, Kraft Heinz, has a significant market share in the processed meats industry, with Oscar Mayer holding around 17.5% of the cold cuts and other processed meats market in 2017. The brand is known for its innovative products and strong market presence, having reported a 4% increase in sales volume in 1996 and dominating the lunch combinations market with its Lunchables brand. Oscar Mayer's products are widely recognized for their quality and convenience. For further details, visit their official website.

Bar-S

Bar-S Foods, a leading player in the hot dog and sausage industry, is renowned for its high-quality products, including those similar to Lit'l Smokies. As part of the broader sausage market, Bar-S contributes to the industry's significant revenue, with the U.S. hot dog and sausage production market estimated to reach $24.8 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% over the past five years. Bar-S Foods competes on factors such as price differentiation, product extension, and flavor innovations, catering to a wide consumer base, particularly during high-demand periods like summer cookouts and sports events. The company's products, including dinner sausages, command premium prices and account for nearly half of the industry's revenue due to their widespread consumer acceptance. With a strong market presence, Bar-S Foods continues to be a major contributor to the thriving sausage and hot dog market. For more details, refer to the Hot Dogs Market report.

Armour

Armour is not specifically highlighted as a producer of Lit'l Smokies; instead, Hillshire Farm is well-known for its Lit'l Smokies, which are fully cooked, smoked cocktail sausages made with quality cuts of pork and chicken. These sausages have been a popular choice since Hillshire Farm started running ads for them in 1984, and they remain widely available, especially in Midwest grocery stores. Each serving of Lit'l Smokies contains 190 calories, 17g of total fat, and 7g of protein. They are convenient to prepare and can be heated through various methods, including boiling, baking, or microwaving. Lit'l Smokies are a staple in many social gatherings and parties.

Smithfield

Smithfield Foods, as one of the largest pork processors and hog producers worldwide, is renowned for its high-quality products, including Lil' Smokies. In 2002, the company reported a significant increase in processed meats sales, with Smithfield Premium branded packaged processed meats volume climbing 17%, and hot dogs, which include Lil' Smokies, seeing a 63% increase. Smithfield's strategic focus on value-added products and efficient operations has contributed to its market dominance, with the company holding approximately 26% of the US pork market share as of 2023. Their extensive product line and successful marketing campaigns have heightened brand awareness and consumer preference. Smithfield's commitment to quality and innovation ensures that products like Lil' Smokies remain popular among consumers.