12 Must-Make Slow Cooker BBQ Recipes That Rival Grill-Cooked Fare (2024)

One-Pot Cuban-Style Barbecue Pulled Pork

Add a little Cuban flair to this slow cooker BBQ pulled pork recipe that can be made as a slow and low recipe or in no time if you choose to use a pressure cooker. Either way you'll end up with delightfully tender pork perfect on hoagie buns with a little mayo and pickles.

• Related: How to Make Perfectly Juicy Pulled Pork

Super Simple Peachy BBQ Chicken

That's right—just three ingredients produce a richly flavored, sweet-tangy BBQ sauce for unbelievable slow cooker BBQ chicken. If you like your BBQ on the sweet side, one reviewer suggests adding brown sugar and peach puree to the sauce as well. Add peaches as a garnish when in season to add pizzazz to the plating of this slow and low BBQ recipe.

• Related: Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipes

Apricot Chipotle Pork Ribs

Chili sauce and chipotle peppers bring the heat while apricot preserves and brown sugar add a touch of sweetness to our saucy five-ingredient slow cooker BBQ pork ribs.

Low Sugar BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

BBQ sauce can be high in sugar, but this version uses Medjool dates to naturally sweeten the sauce. Feel adventurous? Make your own whole-wheat hamburger buns for the slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches or buy store-bought—just watch for sneaky added sugars.

Apple Bourbon Country Style Pork Ribs

Bourbon adds a hint of smokiness to our sweet and tangy slow cooker ribs. This saucy, apple-loaded BBQ pork rib dish is perfect for feeding a crowd. Choose traditional baking apples or a tart variety for a little extra tang.

Slow-Simmered Pulled Pork Sandwiches

It doesn't get much better than classic pulled pork sandwiches. Make our mouthwatering slow cooker pulled pork with a simple homemade BBQ sauce, or use a store-bought BBQ sauce if you're short on time.

Apricot Pulled Pork Hoagies

Add a twist to our slow cooker BBQ pulled pork. Apricot jelly and sliced, dried apricots blend nicely with bottled BBQ sauce to elevate this slow and low BBQ recipe. Snips of dried fruit add texture and more apricot flavor to these crave-worthy sandwiches.

• Related: Toasty Warm Sandwiches

Balsamic Honey Pulled Pork Sliders

Balsamic-infused BBQ sauce adds an unexpected tang to these mini slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches, perfect for a crowd. Load up the meat with tangy sauce and stack with crunchy coleslaw and pickles.

Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Be the hit of the tailgate with these slow cooker BBQ pulled pork sandwiches that make root beer the star. Cook the meat overnight and you'll wake up to delicious smells and perfectly shreddable meat. Bring your slow cooker to the tailgate to keep things warm (if you have a power source or a car adapter), and sandwich on-site with lettuce and tomato on a hamburger bun.

Pulled Pork with Rhubarb BBQ Sauce and Kohlrabi Slaw

There are endless ways to prepare BBQ slow cooker pulled pork, and this recipe pulls on unique ingredients. Find rhubarb popping in the spring and use it to add an unexpected flavor profile to BBQ sauce. Our tangy sauce recipe can even be made ahead. A kohlrabi and carrot slaw adds crunch and brightness to the dish.

• Related: Rhubarb Recipes to Make This Spring

Slow Cooked Barbecue Country Style Ribs

We love these slow cooker BBQ-sauced pork ribs so much that we give you two ways to enjoy them. Eat the saucy ribs for dinner right after you make them, then shred the remaining portion of the ribs. Chill the meat for up to 3 days (or freeze up to 3 months) for a tasty pulled pork sandwich that's ready when you are.

Spicy Pulled Pork

These yummy mini slow cooker BBQ pork sandwiches receive a kick from the Dr. Pepper-flavored BBQ sauce. Make a full-size sandwich by using a regular bun instead of the baguette slices called for. Top with pickles for a bit of crunch.

• Related: Best Ever Dill Pickles

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