If you love the smoky, tangy flavors of barbecue but don’t want to spend hours at the grill, the slow cooker is your best friend. With minimal effort, you can create tender, juicy, and flavorful dishes that taste like they’ve been slow-smoked all day. These 10 easy slow cooker BBQ recipes are perfect for weeknight dinners, family gatherings, or even game day parties.
Start with the classic slow cooker pulled pork. Seasoned with a blend of spices and your favorite BBQ sauce, the pork cooks low and slow until it’s fork-tender and ready to be piled onto buns, topped with slaw, or served alongside roasted veggies.
For a chicken option, try slow cooker BBQ chicken breasts or thighs. The chicken simmers in a tangy sauce until juicy and flavorful, perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served over rice.
If you’re craving something hearty, slow cooker BBQ beef brisket is a must. Cooking brisket in the slow cooker with BBQ sauce and onions results in melt-in-your-mouth tenderness with rich, smoky flavors.
Another family favorite is slow cooker BBQ ribs. With the slow cooker doing all the hard work, ribs come out fall-off-the-bone tender. Finish them under the broiler for a caramelized, smoky glaze that rivals any grill.
For something unique, try slow cooker BBQ meatballs. These bite-sized treats are cooked in a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, making them perfect for parties, potlucks, or as a fun appetizer.
If you want a comforting meal, slow cooker BBQ baked beans with ham or bacon are a hit. The beans soak up smoky, tangy flavors while becoming rich and hearty—ideal as a side or even a main dish.
Seafood lovers can enjoy slow cooker BBQ shrimp. Quick to cook yet full of flavor, the shrimp take on a smoky, sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with rice, pasta, or cornbread.
For a lighter but delicious choice, slow cooker BBQ turkey is a lean option. Turkey breast or drumsticks simmer in a smoky sauce until tender, giving you all the BBQ satisfaction without the extra calories.
A fun and crowd-pleasing recipe is slow cooker BBQ nachos. Use shredded BBQ chicken or pork as the base, then layer it over tortilla chips with cheese, jalapeños, and toppings for an easy party dish.
Lastly, try slow cooker BBQ jackfruit for a vegetarian twist. Jackfruit mimics the texture of pulled pork and soaks up BBQ sauce beautifully, making it a great meatless option for sandwiches or bowls.
These 10 easy slow cooker BBQ recipes bring all the smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors you love—without firing up the grill. From tender meats to vegetarian options, there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a party, or simply craving BBQ flavors, your slow cooker makes it simple, delicious, and completely stress-free.
Tender Barbecued Chicken
After a long day at work, a slow-cooked meal is a great help. One of my family’s favorites is this moist slow-simmered chicken. For an appealing look, choose a darker brown barbecue sauce. —Jacqueline Blanton, Gaffney, South Carolina
Pulled BBQ Pork
During years of vacationing on the North Carolina coast, I became hooked on their pork barbecue. The version I developed is a favorite at potluck dinners. —Joseph Sarnoski, West Chester, Pennsylvania
Gourmet Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
These beef sandwiches were a tradition in my family on winter vacations after a long day of snow skiing, but they’re a hit anytime we make them. Serving the savory barbecue beef on croissants with melty provolone cheese makes the sandwiches a little more special. —Katie Anderson, Vancouver, Washington
Slow-Cooker Peach BBQ Ribs
For eat-the-whole-rack ribs, start with a rub of chili powder, cumin, paprika and cayenne. Then slather on sweet peachy sauce. Keep the napkins coming. — Sue Ryon, Shorewood, Wisconsin
Tangy Barbecue Wings
I took these slow-cooked wings to work, and they vanished before I even got a bite! The tangy sauce is lip-smacking good. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
Texas Beef Barbecue
A boneless beef roast simmers for hours in a slightly sweet sauce before it’s shredded and tucked into rolls to make hearty sandwiches. This is a family favorite. —Jennifer Bauer, Lansing, Michigan
Secret’s in the Sauce” BBQ Ribs
A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken
I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet and slightly spicy taste of Carolina vinegar chicken. I make my version in the slow cooker. After the tempting aroma fills the house, your family is sure to be at the dinner table on time! —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos
I wanted to try a different take on taco night and decided on a barbecue theme. Even my father enjoyed this meal, and he doesn’t usually care for tacos. —LaDale Hymer, Cleveland, Oklahoma
BBQ Brats
In Wisconsin, brats are a food group! We are always looking for new ways to cook them. This recipe is easy and a hit at any tailgate party or cookout, any time of year. —Jessica Abnet, DePere, Wisconsin
