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

Slow-Cooked Cowboy Brisket and Beans
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.

From eclectic options like Coriander-Coconut-Braised Ribs to classic picks like Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches, these slow-cooker barbecue recipes have something for everyone. 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.

01 of 22

Easy BBQ Ribs

Easy BBQ Ribs
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Easy BBQ Ribs

We've made delicious ribs even easier. Hungry? Not for long.

02 of 22

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Greg DuPree

Recipe: Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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.

03 of 22

Spicy-Sweet Ribs and Beans

Spicy-Sweet Ribs and Beans
Southern Living

Recipe: Spicy-Sweet Ribs and Beans

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

04 of 22

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken
Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken

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

05 of 22

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pork

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pork
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pork

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

06 of 22

Coriander-Coconut-Braised Ribs

Coriander-Coconut Braised Ribs
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Coriander-Coconut-Braised Ribs

This recipe showcases a surprising coconut-coriander combination that just works. Take our word for it.

07 of 22

5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

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

Recipe: 5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

You probably have these five ingredients on hand, so you're already on your way to a meal of tasty pulled pork.

08 of 22

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Pickled Peppers & Onions
Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

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.

09 of 22

Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

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

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Come for the sliders, stay for the pickled peppers. Yum!

10 of 22

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa
Alison Miksch

Recipe: Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

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

11 of 22

Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

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

12 of 22

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings
Greg Dupree

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings

This recipe starts with slow cooker-prepared pork, a delicious base for suppertime tacos.

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Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Melina Hammer

Recipe: Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

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.

14 of 22

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos
Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

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!)

15 of 22

Sweet-and-Spicy Barbecue Sauce

Sweet-and-Spicy Barbecue Sauce
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Sweet-and-Spicy Barbecue Sauce

Get the best of both barbecue worlds with this sweet-and-spicy concoction.

16 of 22

Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

Recipe: Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

The only thing this easy slow-cooker recipe needs is one of our favorite barbecue side dishes alongside it.

17 of 22

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders

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

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders

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.

18 of 22

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans
Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Cowboy Beans

Even though beans are normally a barbecue side dish, this slow-cooker recipe is hearty enough to be a main dish.

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BBQ Brisket

BBQ Brisket
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: BBQ Brisket

This easy brisket recipe starts with a sweet-and-spicy dry rub your family will love.

20 of 22

Easy Brunswick Stew

Easy Brunswick Stew

Recipe: 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 you way to Brunswick stew perfection.

21 of 22

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
Southern Living

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

Make a simple weekend lunch even easier with a batch of barbecue beef sandwiches whipped up in the slow cooker.

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Slow-Cooked Cowboy Brisket and Beans

Slow-Cooked Cowboy Brisket and Beans
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooked Cowboy Brisket and Beans

Channel your inner cowboy with a meal of brisket and beans from the slow cooker.

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