Fifty-plus amazingSouthern-style Barbecue Recipesfor your grill, oven, slow cooker, smoker, and Instant Pot.
Spicy Southern Barbecue Secrets
A while back, Mr B and I had the chance to fly down to Tennessee to attend the retirement of one of his old Navy buddies, after 37 years of service. (Just when he and I became old enough to have "old buddies" is beyond me!) While we were there, we got to attend a fancy Naval "Change of Command & Retirement Ceremony," experience a little more of the South, and spend some quality time with Mr B's best friends from his Navy days.
As part of the retirement festivities, Mr B and I were treated to healthy portions of both Southern hospitality anddelicious barbecue. The barbecue was so good, in fact, that once we got home to Oregon, I took a big step out of my comfort zone.
You see, many of my own family roots are in the South, and I am painfully aware and deeply respectful of how tightly some of those old family recipes are kept. But that barbecue...
So I sent a message to our hostess (who, as you may remember, I had onlyjust met):
Hi Beverly - ...I’m starting to write my travel posts from our Tennessee trip, and decided to include a round-up of BBQ recipes. I’d love to headline it with your delicious slow-cooker Spicy BBQ, and I’m wondering if you would be willing to share the recipe with me. If it’s a secret family recipe, or you just aren’t up to sharing it for any reason at all, I totally understand...
Bev's Super Easy Slow Cooker BBQ Pork
After I hit send, I set back and crossed my fingers that my new friend wouldn't think I was being too presumptuous.Here is her graciously candid reply:
Hi Renée - ...confession is good for the soul lol. My sister cooked a Boston Butt roast overnight in the crockpot. Took it out in the morning, covered it and let it cool, cut it up and eliminated any excess fat and froze it. We took it out of the freezer bags, put it in the crockpot and added Corkys BBQ sauce.
That was it in a nutshell. Sis likes to add a bunch of other stuff like brown Sugar, green peppers, onion, pancake syrup and bbq sauce. I’m not a fan of sweet BBQ so chose not to add the sugar or syrup, just Corkys Spicy BBQ and Regular BBQ in two separate crock pots.
No secret recipe, but since it’s Corkys you can certainly feel free to give a Shout out to a Memphis tradition.
Beverly P.
Well then, all I can say to that is: first, thanks to Beverly for her kindness, her sense of humor, her candor,and her recipe. And second -I am totally on board with the Corky's Spicy BBQ!! Let's hear it for this Memphis tradition: I imagine Corky's (or some other bottle) is behind a lot of those "secret," closely guarded Southern barbecue recipes!
Now for some original and heirloom BBQ recipes from across the American South, including recipes for sauces and rubs, grilling tips, and ideas for your Grill, Oven, Slow cooker, Smoker, and Instant Pot.:
50+ Southern BBQ Recipes, Sauces & Rubs
BBQ Recipes on the Grill
1
Fall of the Bone Tender BBQ Ribs
Photo Credit:www.westviamidwest.com
Grilled low and slow yields Fall off the Bone BBQ Ribs, brush with a tangy bbq sauce for lip-smacking deliciousness. Perfect for summertime entertaining! (Oven option too)
2
Tri-Tip with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:www.theorganickitchen.org
Tri tips smothered in BBQ sauce and topped with caramelized onions! You can make the sauce a couple of days in advance.
3
Chicken Kabobs with Mango Jalapeno BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:momsdinner.net
These Chicken Kabobs are the perfect summer night dinner. The homemade BBQ sauce is full of bright flavors like mango, jalapeño, and tomato, balanced with the deep smoky flavor of chili powder and smoked paprika.
4
How to Smoke Ribs on Charcoal
Photo Credit:www.awayfromthebox.com
There’s something about crackling wood or charcoal that just takes an otherwise plain piece of meat to amazingly delicious levels. Everyone deserves to know how to smoke ribs on a charcoal grill.
5
Beer Brined Spatchco*ck BBQ Chicken
Photo Credit:livelytable.com
Barbecue chicken has never been easier or more delicious! Beer Brined Spatchco*ck BBQ Chicken comes out juicy, flavorful and evenly cooked every time – perfect for summer cookouts! (nut-free, dairy-free)
6
Best Barbecued Smoked Ribs
Photo Credit:www.gonnawantseconds.com
Our Barbecued Smoked Ribs are dry rubbed, smoked over hickory chips, then sauced with our homemade Bourbon Barbecue Sauce! Now, these are good eating!
Smoker BBQ Recipes
7
Kansas City-Style Smoked Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:sizzlingmess.com
This Kansas City-style smoked pulled pork has a deeply flavorful bark, a smoky flavor all the way through, and is so tender and juicy that it will shred with just your hands. The best part? It’s low maintenance and besides watching your smoker, you can set it and forget it until it’s done!
8
Tender Hickory-Smoked Ribs
Photo Credit:www.garlicandzest.com
Barbecue. There’s the easy way — and the right way.For those who want accolade, admiration and the moniker “Pit-Master”, this one is for you.
9
Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Photo Credit:bbqsmarts.com
Smokey, sweet, and amazingly tender, these bites of pork belly goodness are an awesome alternative totraditional brisket burnt ends. Imagine the amazing taste of bacon, but even juicier and covered in a combination of honey and your favorite BBQ sauce – these are truly meat candy!
Slow Cooker BBQ Recipes
10
BBQ Beef Brisket
Photo Credit:mooreorlesscooking.com
Turn on your slow cooker for this delicious melt in your mouth, slow cooker BBQ Beef Brisket! Homemade Spice Rub and Homemade BBQ sauce makes this drool worthy brisket a family favorite.
11
Super Simple Shredded BBQ Chicken
Photo Credit:lemonsandzest.com
This Simple Shredded BBQ Chicken made in the slow cooker is a perfect weeknight dinner especially when eating needs to be in “shifts’ thanks to practice, dance lessons and more. Bonus: leftovers are the best!
12
Smoked Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:www.binkysculinarycarnival.com
Everyone will love this smoked pulled pork! It is so much more flavorful than just throwing the pork in the crockpot! Best part? You don't need a smoker to do it. You can even do it with same process in the oven, if it's raining!
13
Root Beer Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:www.pinchmeimeating.com
Slow cooker root beer pulled pork is juicy, flavorful, and provides the perfect base for mixing in your favorite barbecue sauce or using in other recipes! Takes only 5 minutes to prep.
14
Baby Back Ribs
Photo Credit:www.iheartnaptime.net
Easy baby back ribs smothered with a homemade rub and sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Cooked to perfection in the crockpot and fall off the bone delicious. These are the best slow cooker ribs!
15
Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:beautifullybrokenjourney.com
Need an easy recipe for pulled pork? This Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe is so simple, and is sure to satisfy your craving for tender pulled pork!
16
Pork Ribs With Killer Barbecue Sauce [Slow Cooker]
Photo Credit:beautyandthefoodie.com
Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs It’s easy to make this recipe for Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs. Also includes a delicious low carb homemade BBQ sauce with a paleo version.
17
Easy Crock-Pot BBQ Ribs
Photo Credit:www.therisingspoon.com
Learn how to make the easiest fall-off-the-bone slow cooker ribs that will have everyone licking their fingers & plates!This is the best method for fixing bbq ribs if you don't own a smoker or it's cold outside.
18
BBQ Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:www.theanthonykitchen.com
The best ever BBQ Pulled Pork in the slow cooker for perfectly tender shredded pork coated with an easy, flavorful sauce.
19
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Photo Credit:butteryourbiscuit.com
This easy Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwich is the perfect meal for those busy weeknights.
20
Pulled Chicken
Photo Credit:dancingthroughtherain.com
This super easy Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken is something you can throw into your crockpot, set it and forget it! Use your favorite barbecue sauce, pick up some buns and the store, set some rice in a rice cooker, make some quick coleslaw, and you’ve got dinner when you get home from work!
21
Pineapple Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:www.gogogogourmet.com
This easy Slow Cooker Pineapple Pulled Pork has tons of tropical flavor that is perfect for any summer BBQ!Piled high with barbecue sauce an a slice of pineapple, it makes great tacos or even sliders!
22
BBQ Ribs
Photo Credit:www.homemadeinterest.com
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs are tender, fall-of-the-bone ribs, coated in a sweet BBQ sauce. It’s an easy Crock Pot recipe that makes a great weeknight dinner or a potluck recipe for parties.
Instant Pot BBQ Recipes
23
Best Ever BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs
Photo Credit:www.melaniecooks.com
These amazing Instant Pot BBQ baby back ribs are truly fall off the bone! They are better then the ribs at the restaurant!
24
Baby Back Ribs
Photo Credit:www.simplyhappyfoodie.com
This is the EASIEST recipe for delicious Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs. Who cares what the weather is doing out there, you can make ribs indoors, in about an hour!
25
Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:www.onehappyhousewife.com
This Instant Pot Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork is an incredibly easy and crowd pleasing meal. With only 4 ingredients and a few simple steps you'll have a delicious and versatile shredded pork that can be used in so many delicious ways!
26
Easy Beef Ribs
Photo Credit:laraclevenger.com
You’re gonna love these easy peazy, mouth-wateringInstant Pot Ribs!They’re made in minutes not hours with yourbeloved pressure cooker!
27
Keto Country Style Ribs
Photo Credit:beautyandthefoodie.com
It’s easy to make this recipe for Keto Instant Pot Country Style Ribs. Also includes a delicious low carb homemade BBQ sauce with a paleo version.
28
Barbecue Beef Roast
Photo Credit:www.simplyhappyfoodie.com
For a great tasting, super easy recipe that is perfect for feeding a crowd, meal planning, or Game Day, try Instant Pot Barbecue Beef. Use the meat for barbecue beef sandwiches, or over rice or on potatoes.
29
Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:nourishnutritionblog.com
Pulled pork is one of the easiest and most versatile meats. Make this pressure cooker pulled pork into a pulled pork sandwich withrainbow coleslawand pineapple to make a truly delicious summer entertaining meal.
30
Pork Ribs
Photo Credit:www.wenthere8this.com
The easiest ribs you will ever make, these Instant Pot Pork ribs areon the table in less than 1 hour. Finished on the grill with the most amazing sweet and tangy homemade BBQ sauce, you’re going to want to eat a whole rack all by yourself!
31
Easy Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:thewineloverskitchen.com
Pulled pork in under 2 hours with only 15 minutes effort and 4 ingredients! This is a perfect recipe for serving a crowd. It makes a lot and doesn’t require much attention.
Oven BBQ Recipes
32
Baby Back Ribs
Photo Credit:asimplepalate.com
Amazing, baby back ribs in the oven – made with a smoky paprika rub, then broiled with a sweet bbq sauce. So delicious, easy, and one of the best rib recipes I’ve had!
33
BBQ Beef Ribs
Photo Credit:www.westviamidwest.com
TheseOven Baked Beef Ribsare so easy! Dry rubbed with simple seasonings that are baked slowly to yield fall of the bone, tender, juicy, meaty ribs. They will be the hit of any BBQ, game day party or casual dinner all in less than 15 minutes of actual effort!
34
Barbecued Ribs
Photo Credit:oldermommystillyummy.com
The Barbecued Ribs are so simple to prepare and the juicy meat literally falls off the bone.
35
BBQ Baked Ribs Recipe
Photo Credit:butteryourbiscuit.com
These Easy Oven Baked Ribs are one of the easiest recipes ever. Cooked low and slow, which makes them so flavorful and fall off the bone tender.
36
Pork Loin Pulled Pork
Photo Credit:www.delicioustable.com
This oven roasted pork loin takes a l-o-w ands-l-o-w approach. The low temperature and slow, long cooking process make the pork easy to shred as it becomes tender over the hours. The result: perfectly moist yet slightly crispy crust and super savory pulled pork.
37
Sweet Bar-B-Barn Ribs
Photo Credit:www.shelovesbiscotti.com
As an appetizer or main event, or whether baking, barbecuing or slow cooking, these Sweet Bar-B-Barn Ribs are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy!
Barbecue Sauce Recipes
38
Carolina Barbecue Sauce
Photo Credit:www.aforkstale.com
In the Carolinas, vinegar based barbecue sauce and pulled pork go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.
39
Whiskey BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:www.servedfromscratch.com
This Whiskey BBQ Sauce From Scratch is smokey, sweet, and tangy. It’s the perfect BBQ sauce for any meat you want to throw on the grill!
40
Mustard-Based South Carolina BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:www.pinchmeimeating.com
Sweet and tangy mustard-based South Carolina BBQ sauce is my favoritesauce forpulled pork! Try it – you won’t look back!
41
Homemade Texas Style Barbecue Sauce
Photo Credit:livelytable.com
This homemade Texas-style barbecue sauce is thick, a little spicy, a little sweet and a little smoky. Made with no ketchup and no refined sugar, it’s the perfect BBQ sauce for all of your summer grilling needs!
42
Alabama White BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:houseofnasheats.com
Alabama White BBQ Sauce is a tangy, creamy twist on traditional barbecue sauce recipe. It’s delicious on grilled chicken, pulled pork, fish, burgers, and lots more!
43
Keto BBQ Sauce 1
Photo Credit:www.savorytooth.com
Smoky, tangy, and sweet -- this bold BBQ sauce is better than store-bought and pairs well with pulled pork, chicken, and ribs. The key to making this alow carb and keto sauceis using a sugar-free sweetener in place of regular sugar.
44
Keto BBQ Sauce2
Photo Credit:lowcarbyum.com
A deliciousketo BBQ sauceis an essential during grilling season and for dipping all year long. This low carb dipping sauce recipe is healthier and tastier than store bought!
45
Peach BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:agirlworthsaving.net
Sweet, tangy, peach-based BBQ sauce is delicious on pork ribs or chicken.
46
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:www.aforkstale.com
Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce is a little sweet from honey, a little tangy from apple cider vinegar, and a little spicy from red pepper flakes.
47
Healthy BBQ Sauce
Photo Credit:www.hungryhealthyhappy.com
ThisHealthy BBQ SauceRecipe is lower in sugar and salt, and has no unnecessary ingredients.
48
Homemade BBQ Sauce 1
Photo Credit:www.melaniecooks.com
Once you try this epichomemadeBBQ sauce, you’ll never want to have the bottled BBQ sauce ever again! This barbecue sauce has so much soul, such deep flavor, so finger-lickin’ good!
49
Homemade BBQ Sauce 2
Photo Credit:www.iheartnaptime.net
Who knewhomemade BBQ saucewas so easy to make?! Plus it tastes amazing with the perfect sweet and spicy flavor. Ditch the store-bought stuff and make this simple recipe at home!
50
Homemade BBQ Sauce 3
Photo Credit:www.beyondthechickencoop.com
This sauce is perfect for chicken, ribs or one of my favorite non-grilled meals,pulled porkand used as a dipping sauce with thesechicken tendersorchicken nuggets.
Dry Rubs
51
Homemade Grill & BBQ Dry Rub
Photo Credit:www.delicioustable.com
Learn how to make Homemade Grill & BBQ Dry Rub, use this preservative-free, easy, and inexpensive BBQ rub on chicken, beef, pork, or corn on the cob!
52
Homemade Mustard Dry Rub
Photo Credit:thriftyjinxy.com
This homemade mustard dry rub recipe is fantastic on ham, chicken, pork tenderloin, ribs or brisket.
53
Blackened Seasoning
Photo Credit:www.earthfoodandfire.com
Blackened Seasoning (also called blackening spice or Cajun seasoning), is a spice mixture used to traditionally season fish, shellfish, meat, and poultry.
Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it's a start.
Anthony Bourdain
Related Recipes
We love to barbecue in the Pacific NW, too! Check out this easy Honey Glazed Salmon recipe!
- Hattie B's Nashville Hot Chicken (Step-by-Step)
- Southern Coconut Layer Cake (from Scratch)
- Crispy Fried Green Tomatoes
- Triple-layer Strawberry Cake (from Scratch)
Do you love Southern cooking? Check our roundup of down-home comfort food recipes!
Thank you for visiting the Good Hearted Woman. Remember to bookmark this site, and come back soon!
