30 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes to Keep Your Kitchen Cool
Spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the summer sun with these delicious slow-cooker recipes! From BBQ pulled pork to refreshing soups and stews, these recipes will keep your kitchen cool and your taste buds happy.
Summer slow cooker recipes offer a convenient way to enjoy delicious meals without heating up the kitchen, perfect for busy summer days. They allow you to savor homemade dishes while embracing the lightness of summer cuisine.
In this roundup post, you’ll discover a variety of summer slow cooker recipes, from tangy barbecue pulled pork to refreshing citrus-infused chicken and catering to all tastes.
Each recipe in this collection is crafted to highlight the seasonal ingredients and vibrant flavors of summer, showcasing the adaptability and simplicity of slow cooking during the warmer months.
These amazing summer slow cooker recipes include ideas for:
- Unique chicken dinners
- Creamy pasta recipes
- Effortless dump-and-go meals
- Easy summer soups and stews
With a variety of recipes to suit different dietary needs, including vegan, keto-friendly, or traditional options. You’ll find dishes catering to various dietary requirements, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious meals throughout the summer season.
☀️ Looking for more delicious summer recipes? Try one of these easy summer side dishes, creative summer lunches, simple no-churn ice creams, cheap summer picnic recipes, or fun boozy desserts!
Tips On How To Make Amazing Summer Slow Cooker Recipes
- Utilize Seasonal Produce: Take advantage of the abundance of fresh, seasonal produce available during the summer months. Incorporate ingredients like tomatoes, zucchini, corn, and berries to infuse your slow cooker recipes with vibrant, summery flavors.
- Focus on Light and Refreshing Dishes: Avoid heavy, hearty meals that can feel too dense for summer. Instead, opt for lighter, refreshing slow cooker recipes featuring lean proteins, vegetables, and bright citrus or herb notes.
- Experiment with Marinades and Rubs: Elevate the flavor of your slow cooker meats by using bold marinades or dry rubs. This can add depth and complexity to dishes like pulled pork, chicken, or beef.
- Embrace Versatility: Look for slow cooker recipes that can be repurposed in multiple ways, such as shredded meats that can be used for tacos, sandwiches, or salads. This allows you to get more mileage out of your slow cooker creations.
- Plan Ahead for Meal Prep: Take advantage of the slow cooker’s hands-off cooking to prepare larger batches of recipes that can be easily reheated or frozen for future meals. This can save time and effort during the busy summer months.
Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Summer
Looking for easy and delicious meals to enjoy this summer? Check out these 30 slow cooker recipes that are perfect for those hot days when you don't want to spend all day in the kitchen.
Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole is an easy, comforting dinner that can be made sweet or spicy. It's packed with delicious Italian sausage, vegetables, and tasty seasonings. It's a great family meal or holiday recipe.
This crock pot sausage stew is flavored with tomatoes, herbs and spices, and plenty of aromatics like garlic and onions. It's naturally dairy-free, and one big serving has only about 400 calories.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs is a simple dump-and-go recipe that creates super delicious and tender chicken thighs. With only 4 ingredients and virtually no prep time, this crockpot recipe is great on busy days.
It can be enjoyed as a main course with your favorite side dishes, like roasted potatoes or asparagus, or turned into pulled barbecue chicken and used in other recipes.
This deliciously light slow cooker tomato basil chicken is made with diced tomato and fresh, fragrant basil. A super easy, anytime-of-year dish. If you are looking for a light chicken dish filled with flavor, you have come to the right place!
This easy recipe makes for a great, light summer meal. But, it is also warm and filling enough to make in colder months.
These juicy, easy to make slow cooker BBQ chicken thighs are so tender! Perfect for weeknight meals or meal prep, you'll love how tasty and simple this recipe is. Savory and tender, these delicious chicken thighs are flavorful and easy to pair with a quick side.
This recipe only takes a little bit of prep and minimal effort, the slow cooker does most of the work for busy weeknights.
This tender slow cooker pineapple pork is sweet, savory and perfect to have dinner ready when you are. This will become your new favorite easy delicious meal!
Pork loin in the crock pot is always super juicy and moist, cooking it low and slow is the way to go. The slow cooker does the hard work for this dinner, and prep only takes about 15 minutes and even less if you decide not to sear the pork.
This Slow Cooker Jambalaya Stew is filled with juicy chunks of chicken, smoked sausage, and shrimp cooked low and slow in traditional, flavorful seasoning and spices for an easy one-pot meal.
You can enjoy your next bowl of Slow Cooker Jambalaya with a fried egg for a truly impressive and equally easy meal loved by the whole family. This recipe is flavorful and spice-filled, and the veggie-packed broth is pure, simple, and delicious.
This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe is a delicious combination of easy-to-find, simple ingredients such as marinara sauce, tomatoes, pasta, cream cheese, and chicken.
This creamy chicken pasta swaps the heavy cream for cream cheese for an irresistibly easy meal consisting of carbs, cheese, chicken, and sauce.
This slow cooker lamb shoulder is super easy. With just five ingredients, you can throw it on in the morning for a delicious, fuss-free meal at dinner time. This slow cooker roast lamb shoulder could not be easier.
To enjoy this meat, you can brown the meat, add some flavoring and throw it in the slow cooker. Throw together some easy sides and you have a family meal that'll feed the masses and keep hungry tummies at bay.
This Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Juicy flank steak, bell peppers, and onions mingle with fajita seasoning to create a tender, delicious fajitas that will surely be a hit.
These slow cooker steak fajitas are the perfect dump-and-go meal for any night of the week. This fajita recipe will surely become one the whole family loves.
This Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Recipe offers a delicious and hassle-free way to enjoy a flavorful Asian-inspired meal, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or summer gatherings.
Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce made with honey, garlic, and spices. Serve this Slow Cooker Asian Chicken over rice for a delicious family meal.
You can cook chicken with lemonade and it will be totally delicious! This secret ingredient makes an awesome sauce for this easy, dump and go crock pot meal. You will love how simple this is to prepare for your family, and they are going to have tons of fun trying to guess the secret ingredient!
To enjoy this meal, all you have to do is cover the chicken breast in sauce, cook, then serve over rice with the thickened sauce.
With just 2 simple ingredients, this Crockpot Salsa Chicken recipe is ready. Just layer, cook, shred, and serve! Make flavorful chicken tacos, tasty salads, satisfying rice bowls, or use it for weekly healthy meal prep - it's totally up to you!
This easy slow cooker salsa chicken recipe is just about as easy as it gets. Just combine boneless, skinless chicken breasts with your favorite type of salsa, and then you're ready to switch on the Crock Pot and let it do the heavy lifting.
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Quinoa Chili is an easy, healthy crockpot chicken dinner recipe. With just a few minutes of prep, you can enjoy this good-for-you meal! Plus, this Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken Quinoa Chili tastes great!
Not only is this chili delicious, but it’s made with healthy ingredients like beans, veggies, and quinoa. This recipe makes a huge batch of chili, but it reheats well, so you’ll be glad that there are leftovers.
Slow cooker lasagna soup is a hearty crockpot soup recipe that’s packed with flavor! This simple soup takes pantry staple ingredients and turns them into a delicious dinner with almost no prep. Slow cooker lasagna soup is a simple dinner recipe that’s easy and tasty.
It’s a hearty soup that has all of the flavors of a pan but is so much easier to make! The soup reheats well and is a great option for busy weeknights or for make-ahead meal prep.
This Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken recipe has only 3 ingredients and just needs 5 minutes of prep. The slow-cooked shredded salsa chicken is perfect for everything from tacos and nachos to burrito bowls and salads!
This crockpot salsa chicken is one of the easiest recipes to make. Just dump it all in and let the crockpot do the work for a delicious meal on busy weeknights. It is made with simple ingredients like chicken breasts, salsa, and taco seasoning, this easy dinner recipe is packed with flavor.
This slow cooker corn on the cob recipe is an easy way to make delicious, flavorful corn on the cob right in your crockpot. It comes out perfectly cooked, tender, and sweet every time!
Corn on the cob is a great side dish, especially for the summer months. You only need a few minutes of prep, and you don’t have to heat up your kitchen by boiling a large pot of water on the stovetop.
Slow Cooker Quinoa Tamale Casserole is a healthy vegetarian dinner with simple, wholesome ingredients and topped with a beautiful sunny egg. Keep this recipe handy for an EASY, creamy, flavorful, gluten-free, dairy-free dinner reminiscent of tamales.
The eggs and the Basic Cashew Ricotta are the tricks to make a flavorful, creamy tamale casserole and keep it dairy-free. This dinner has all the flavor you could want for a super simple dinner from the crock-pot.
Honey Teriyaki Chicken is cooked in the slow cooker and then paired with rice and veggies for a satisfying protein-rich meal prep meal for your busy week.
Add this macro-friendly, versatile chicken recipe to your rotation for easy, mindful meal prep. The result is tender, juicy chicken to die for.
This Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken recipe has plenty of Asian spirit and is one of the most easy-to-make and satisfying dishes out there.
This sweet and savory flavorful chicken dinner is the perfect combination of boneless chicken breast and Asian-inspired sauces for a meal you won’t be able to resist.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes is a simple yet elegant side dish packed with the flavors of savory diced potatoes and smoked sausage in a creamy sauce topped with melted cheddar cheese.
It is a tasty alternative to hash browns, it’s easy to make in a slow cooker. The whole family will love this dish, even your picky eaters. The addition of smoked sausage gives it a more robust flavor profile.
Chicken cacciatore is a famous Italian dish, but this is the real deal: an authentic Italian recipe. It’s a one-pan or slow-cooker chicken dinner recipe you’ll make over and over again. In fact, this is such an easy dish that if you chop the veggies the night before, making it the next day is a piece of cake.
You could brown the chicken and veggies, put everything in a crock pot, and have dinner ready to serve by the time you come home!
Make a large batch of a delicious side dish with these amazing Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes. With only 4 ingredients and cooked low and slow, you come out with the perfect potato every time.
These Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes come out with amazing flavor and crispy skins, and you can dress them up to your liking. They are a go-to pretty much all year round, but more so in the spring and summer months.
This slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken tacos recipe is like a magic trick for your taste buds. With just a few simple steps, you can turn chicken and a few ingredients into something totally delicious.
It’s so good it’ll make your family’s taco night extra special. If you’re ready for a taco adventure that’s easy, tasty, and fun, you can count on this recipe.
This slow cooker pork tenderloin is simmered in a garlic and herb gravy and produces perfect results every time. An easy crock pot dinner that the whole family will love.
This recipe includes pork tenderloin, olive oil, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, chicken broth, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, cornstarch, butter, and parsley.
These slow cooker ribs are pork baby back ribs coated in homemade spice blend and barbecue sauce, then cooked in the crock pot until tender.
This recipe starts with a rack of baby back ribs, which are coated in a spice rub and BBQ sauce, then slowly cooked to tender perfection in the crock pot.
They are as easy as can be, serve them with mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli for a complete meal.
These slow-cooker honey garlic ribs are tender baby back ribs that are slowly cooked to perfection in a divine blend of honey, garlic, and soy sauce, creating an irresistible melody of flavors that will leave your palate begging for more.
It’s a versatile recipe perfect for any occasion. Its tantalizing aroma and taste is sure to leave everyone asking for seconds.
Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches are an easy, spicy dinner idea made right in the crock pot. Pulled chicken cooked in a hot honey sauce and then piled onto your favorite bun.
The perfect slow cooker meal for any time of year! You can easily adjust the amount of heat to suit your family. The tangy sauce is the perfect mix of spicy and sweet. It is the perfect meal for a BBQ or summer get-together.
Slow-cooker chicken fajitas are a hearty and satisfying meal that everyone will love, especially when there are plenty of toppings to choose from! This recipe easily feeds six people, so it’s a great family-style dinner idea.
This recipe is a fun twist to your Taco Tuesday! Fresh, crispy peppers, tender chicken, and any other veggies that you want to add. Then, all you have to do is warm up the tortillas, set out some toppings, and dinner is ready!
Your favorite chicken curry recipe just got a whole lot easier with this easy slow cooker recipe! This dinner is easy to prepare, and leftovers taste even better the next day! If you love ordering curry when you eat out and want to recreate that same delicious taste at home, this recipe is for you.
By making the chicken curry in a crockpot, you will enjoy your favorite meal without the hassle of multiple dishes and a lot of time standing over the stovetop cooking the chicken and making the sauce.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is a versatile dish that is extremely simple. You can serve the pork plain, on buns, in tacos, and on top potatoes. The options are endless. The meal comes together effortlessly with just a few minutes of prep time before putting the pork in the crockpot.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork couldn’t get easier than this recipe. First, season it up and let it cook. Then shred it and serve it with your favorite side dishes or make it into tacos or sandwiches!
Can I really make summer meals in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! The slow cooker isn’t just for winter stews. It’s perfect for creating a variety of summer favorites, from light and flavorful shredded chicken for tacos to slow-cooked barbecue that falls off the bone. You can also make lighter, brothy soups, vegetarian curries, and even chilled soups in your slow cooker.
Won’t my kitchen still get hot with a slow cooker?
While a slow cooker does generate some heat, it’s significantly less than a traditional oven. This keeps your kitchen cooler and more comfortable during the hot summer months.
Are there any summer ingredients that don’t work well in a slow cooker?
Delicate greens like spinach or lettuce won’t hold up well in a slow cooker for long periods. It’s best to add them fresh at the end of cooking or as a garnish. Additionally, dairy products like milk or cream can curdle if added too early, so wait until closer to serving time for those ingredients.
Do I need to brown the meat before putting it in the slow cooker?
Browning meat beforehand (called searing) isn’t always necessary, but it can add a deeper layer of flavor to your dish. If a recipe calls for browning, it’s usually recommended for optimal taste.
Can I adapt slow cooker recipes to be vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! Many slow cooker recipes can be easily adapted for vegetarian or vegan diets. Simply substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth, use veggie crumbles instead of meat, and skip any dairy products. There are also plenty of delicious vegetarian and vegan slow cooker recipes specifically designed for summer.
In conclusion, summer slow cooker recipes are your secret weapon for effortless and flavorful meals during the hottest months. With minimal prep and maximum taste, your slow cooker can become your go-to kitchen companion for creating a variety of summer favorites.
So, ditch the preheating worries and embrace the convenience! From juicy pulled pork to light and refreshing soups, the possibilities are endless. With these tips and the delicious recipes in this collection, you’re well on your way to becoming a summer slow cooker master. Get ready to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without sacrificing your comfort or the taste of summer!
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