Crock Pot Recipes For A Labor Day Barbecue

Crock Pot Recipes for a Labor Day Barbecue

As the summer winds down and Labor Day approaches, it’s time to fire up the grill and celebrate the unofficial end of the season. But if you’re looking for a more relaxed way to enjoy the holiday, consider using your crock pot to prepare some delicious barbecue dishes.

Crock pots are a great way to cook food slowly and evenly, resulting in tender and flavorful dishes. They’re also perfect for busy hosts who want to spend more time with their guests and less time in the kitchen.

Here are a few of our favorite crock pot recipes for a Labor Day barbecue:

Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a classic barbecue dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe uses a combination of pork shoulder and pork loin for a juicy and flavorful result.

Ingredients:

• 1 (4-pound) pork shoulder
• 1 (2-pound) pork loin
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Trim the pork shoulder and pork loin of any excess fat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Add the pork shoulder and pork loin to the bowl and turn to coat.
4. Transfer the pork to the crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls apart easily.
5. Remove the pork from the crock pot and shred it using two forks.
6. Serve the pulled pork on buns with your favorite toppings.

Ribs

Ribs are another popular barbecue dish that’s perfect for a crowd. This recipe uses a combination of baby back ribs and spare ribs for a variety of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

• 1 rack of baby back ribs
• 1 rack of spare ribs
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Remove the ribs from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Brush the ribs with the barbecue sauce mixture.
4. Transfer the ribs to the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the ribs are tender and fall off the bone.
5. Remove the ribs from the crock pot and serve with your favorite sides.

Chicken

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. This recipe uses a whole chicken that’s seasoned with a flavorful rub and cooked in a crock pot with barbecue sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (3-4 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup barbecue sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Rub the chicken all over with the spice mixture.
4. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast for 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving.
6. Transfer the chicken to the crock pot and add the barbecue sauce.
7. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, or until the chicken is heated through and the barbecue sauce is bubbly.
8. Serve the chicken with your favorite sides.

Sides

In addition to the main dishes, you’ll also need some delicious sides to complete your Labor Day barbecue. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Potato salad: This classic side dish is always a crowd-pleaser. There are many different ways to make potato salad, so feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors.
• Coleslaw: This refreshing side dish is perfect for a hot summer day. Coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, and is typically dressed with a mayonnaise-based dressing.
• Baked beans: These hearty beans are a great addition to any barbecue. Baked beans are made with navy beans, bacon, and a sweet and savory sauce.
• Corn on the cob: This simple side dish is always a hit. Corn on the cob can be boiled, grilled, or roasted.
• Watermelon: This refreshing fruit is the perfect way to end a summer meal. Watermelon is low in calories and fat, and is a good source of vitamins A and C.

Tips for Using a Crock Pot

Here are a few tips for using a crock pot to cook your Labor Day barbecue dishes:

• Choose the right size crock pot. The size of the crock pot you need will depend on the amount of food you’re cooking. A 6-quart crock pot is a good size for most families.
• Don’t overfill the crock pot. The crock pot should be no more than two-thirds full. Overfilling the crock pot can prevent the food from cooking evenly.
• Cook on low for best results. Crock pots cook food slowly and evenly, so it’s important to cook on low for best results. Cooking on high can overcook the food and make it tough.
• Don’t lift the lid too often. Every time you lift the lid, you let heat escape. This can slow down the cooking process and make the food less flavorful.
• Let the food rest before serving. Once the food is cooked, let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful meat.

Conclusion

Crock pots are a great way to cook delicious and flavorful barbecue dishes. With a little planning, you can use your crock pot to create a Labor Day barbecue that your guests will love.

5 Best Crock Pot Recipes for a Labor Day Barbecue

As the summer winds down and Labor Day approaches, it’s time to fire up the grill and celebrate with a delicious barbecue. But if you’re looking for a more relaxed way to enjoy the holiday, why not let your Crock Pot do the work?

Here are five of the best Crock Pot recipes that are perfect for a Labor Day barbecue:

1. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a classic barbecue dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser. This recipe uses a combination of pork shoulder, barbecue sauce, and spices to create a tender and flavorful dish that’s perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or salads.

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2. Crock Pot Ribs

Ribs are another barbecue staple that’s easy to make in a Crock Pot. This recipe uses a combination of dry rub and barbecue sauce to create ribs that are fall-off-the-bone tender and full of flavor.

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3. Crock Pot Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are a great appetizer or snack for a barbecue. This recipe uses a combination of spices and barbecue sauce to create wings that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

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4. Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for any occasion. This recipe uses a combination of cheese, milk, and pasta to create a creamy and delicious dish that’s sure to please everyone.

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5. Crock Pot Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic barbecue side dish that’s easy to make in a Crock Pot. This recipe uses a combination of beans, barbecue sauce, and spices to create a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s perfect for any occasion.

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