18 Time-Saving Slow-Cooker Barbecue Recipes For Your Next Cookout

Great barbecue without the hassle.

Slow-Cooker Pork Sandwiches
Photo:

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Everyone has a different technique when it comes to barbecue. Whether you fire up the grill or ready the smoker, you know the feeling of an afternoon spent tending the meats. But what about those days when you want barbecue but don't have any time to spend at the grill? Turn to your slow-cooker. After all, the secret ingredient to great barbecue is time.

These slow-cooker barbecue recipes have something for everyone. There'S slow-cooker recipes for barbecue brisket, pork, chicken, and even Cowboy Beans. We have plenty of recipes for slow-cooker barbecue, and we'll even show you how to make ribs in the slow-cooker.

These slow-cooker barbecue recipes will be the envy of the neighborhood, and everyone will be coming back for seconds, guaranteed. With all the time you're saving while making these slow-cooker barbecue recipes, you'll have plenty of extra minutes to mix up a tasty homemade barbecue sauce to accompany it.

Read on for our best slow-cooker barbecue recipes that anyone can make.

01 of 18

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken

Southern Living Slow Cooked Barbecued Chicken

Morgan Hunt Glaze; Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Barbecue chicken is a weeknight staple. You'll love this recipe, which significantly cuts down on prep time.

02 of 18

Slow-Cooker Brisket

Southern Living Slow Cooker Brisket shredded with sauce ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

No smoker? No problem. The process of slow cooking allows the meat to fall apart from tenderness after cooking for 8 hours.

03 of 18

Easy BBQ Ribs

Easy BBQ Ribs
Hector Sanchez

We've made delicious ribs even easier by taking them to the slow cooker. Homemade rub and sauce ensure there's no shortage of flavor.

04 of 18

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders
Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Every single review for these sliders is for five stars, y'all. "This recipe was delicious, easy to prepare and very flavorful, my guests asked for the recipe," wrote one reviewer.

05 of 18

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Greg DuPree

Don't skip the step of browning the meat before it goes in the slow cooker. This creates a lovely crust and seals in flavor without drying the pork out.

06 of 18

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans
Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Channel your inner cowboy with a meal of beans from the slow cooker. Even though beans are normally a barbecue side dish, this slow-cooker recipe is hearty enough to be a main dish.

07 of 18

Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Mix things up with a versatile pork shoulder for dinner. This recipe is tangy, flavorful, and oh-so good.

08 of 18

Spicy-Sweet Ribs and Beans

Spicy-Sweet Ribs and Beans
Southern Living

Ribs in the slow cooker? Oh yes. One taste, and you'll be adding it to your weekly rotation.

09 of 18

5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Photo: Iain Bagwell

You probably have these five ingredients on hand, so you're already on your way to a meal of tasty pulled pork. Plus, it comes together with just 10 minutes of hands-on time.

10 of 18

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Pickled Peppers & Onions
Becky Luigart Stayner

Take the morning off, but ensure that you still have a delicious Saturday lunch on the table with our recipe for barbecued chicken sandwiches straight from the slow cooker.

11 of 18

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa
Alison Miksch

Make a summery, barbecue-inspired meal out of brisket and tacos. A dollop of summer salsa makes it even more seasonal.

12 of 18

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Melina Hammer

Once you've put together this four-ingredient recipe, treat it like barbecue (sauce and all!), and you'll have a shortcut to a delicious meal.

13 of 18

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos
Laurey W. Glenn

The kids will cheer when you tell them they're having nachos for dinner. (And you'll cheer when you realize how easy they are to make!)

14 of 18

BBQ Brisket

BBQ Brisket
Hector Manuel Sanchez

This easy brisket recipe starts with a sweet-and-spicy dry rub your family will love. Finish it off by slicing against the grain and serving with sauce.

15 of 18

Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Let the slow cooker take care of the game day meal. Your guests will come for the sliders, stay for the pickled peppers. Yum!

16 of 18

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pork

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pork
Jennifer Davick

The possibilities are endless once you've made this barbecue pork—put it in sandwiches, tacos, or eat it on its own.

17 of 18

Easy Brunswick Stew

Easy Brunswick Stew

This is the perfect cool-weather stew for barbecue lovers. Start with a Boston Butt and a slow cooker, and you're on your way to Brunswick stew perfection.

18 of 18

Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

The only thing this easy slow-cooker recipe needs is one of our favorite barbecue side dishes alongside it. The recipe makes 12 servings, so unless you're feeding a crowd, you'll even have leftovers for the next day.

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