Can’t stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen this summer with these 25 slow-cooker recipes
All too often, people around the country see summer coming and decide they need to switch up the way they eat. (And no, we’re not talking about dieting for bathing-suit season.) They 86 entire meals from their home menu that requires a long time standing over the stove or in front of the oven, which makes sense, but it doesn’t have to be this way! Break out the slow-cooker and not only will you avoid spending time in a sauna-like kitchen, but you’ll also spend less time cooking in general. Here are 25 slow-cooker recipes – from breakfast to dessert – that are perfect for this summer.
Apricot-Glazed Chicken
Apricot season is short and sweet, so use the summer to try this apricot-glazed chicken courtesy of Tablespoon. Not only will using the slow cooker will keep you out of the kitchen, but the entire recipe includes only four ingredients. Of course, you’ll need more for the side dishes, but we can help you with that later in this slideshow too!
Baked Beans
These baked beans are a classic summer side dish with a slow-cooker twist. Now you can spare yourself any involvement with the oven but still savor the same great flavor, thanks to this recipe from All Recipes. The bacon is optional, but obviously encouraged, because bacon.
Bananas Foster
It can get hot standing in front of a stove cooking a bananas foster dessert. And who wants to do that during after just eating a big meal? Try this slow-cooker bananas foster recipe from Taste of Home instead. By the way, we’re not saying you can’t have this mouthwatering meal for breakfast too (it’s fruit, after all), you’ll just need to plan about two hours ahead of time.
BBQ Beef Short Ribs
Ribs and grills seem like they have to go hand-in-hand, but you can avoid the open flame by substituting your slow cooker as the heat source. Family Fresh Meals can help you out with the instructions and ingredients here. Just remember, for the most satisfying meal, you’ll want to season your meat 24 hours ahead of time.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Pulled pork sliders are a perfect summer alternative to burgers and hot dogs. Plus, you can balance out the heat by topping your sliders with some cool coleslaw. This slow-cooker recipe from Food Network is for pulled pork sandwiches, but we’ll tell you how to convert it into slider form. Step One: Use smaller buns. That’s it. You’re welcome.
Berry Cobbler
When the weather heats up, blueberries and raspberries are in season. Use these months to your advantage by whipping up some mouth-watering berry cobbler while leaving your oven untouched. Learn to make it at home with this recipe from The Recipe Rebel.
Breakfast Burritos
Breakfast burritos are a fun and tasty way to spice up your mornings, but who wants to cook all those ingredients? Prep them in the slow cooker instead and you’ll have a relaxing start to the day. Plus, if you have guests over, it’s even less work, since they can dish out and roll up their burritos themselves. (You’re their host, not their servant!) We recommend adding some avocado to cool things down, like in this Southwestern breakfast burrito recipe from Delish Knowledge.
Cheesecake
Cooking your cheesecake in the slow cooker isn’t just easier, it’s better! Since the dessert steams as it bakes, you’ll find your cheesecake has a extra-silky texture. But don’t take our word for it (even though we’re totally reliable folks), try it for yourself with this recipe from Delish.
Chili Cheese Coneys
Nothing says summer like a chili cheese hot dog, but making said chili can require way too much time in the kitchen. Instead, just brown the meat and then throw everything - dogs and all - into your slow cooker for two to three hours. Real Mom Kitchen keeps it real with the instructions here.
Chili-Lime Corn on the Cob
Whether you’re grilling corn on the barbecue or boiling it in a big pot of water, you’re almost guaranteed to catch some serious heat. But did you know you can also cook corn on the cob in the slow cooker? Just season each ear, wrap it in tin foil, and toss it in the crock pot for two to four hours depending on your temperature setting. Get the full instructions and a recipe for corn with chili-lime butter from Slow Cooker Gourmet.
German Potato Salad
For a moment, we thought, “Why would you need a slow cooker for a cold side dish like German potato salad?” Then we remembered that potatoes do, in fact, need to be cooked before consumption. If you’re as scatterbrained as we are, you’ll appreciate this no-fuss German potato salad recipe from Simple Nourished Living. Especially the part about the bacon.
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Dress your sandwich up with whatever bread, cheeses, and summer veggies you like, just make sure to follow these instructions from MyRecipes for the perfectly-prepared, slow-cooker Italian beef. Sure, this will be a messy meal, but it’s summer, so just eat it al fresco!
Mac & Cheese
Skillet macaroni and cheese seems like all the rage right now, but that involves way too much heat and time in the kitchen, as well as use of the stove and/or oven. Besides, if you’re cooking for your kids, you’ll want to stay outside to keep an eye on them anyway. This crock pot recipe from the Food Network takes a little over three hours, but you’ll barely be around for any of it.
Pork Tenderloin
Pork tenderloin is simple to make using an oven, but who wants to open the door to that fiery inferno every time you check on your meal? Break out your slow cooker instead and use a recipe like this honey soy pork tenderloin version from Add a Pinch.
Pulled Pork Tacos
This recipe for slow-cooker pulled pork tacos from MyRecipes isn’t just a good way to stay out of the kitchen in the summertime, it’ll save you work year-round. Like the burrito recipe, you can cook everything in these tacos together for a hassle-free meal. When it’s ready, just top with whatever else you’d like, such as salsa, onions, or lettuce. And we’re not saying you have to enjoy your tacos with an ice-cold beer like in the photo, but it’s highly suggested.
Rice Pudding with Peaches
Is rice pudding a breakfast or a dessert? We say it’s an anytime meal or snack, especially this no-stir version from MyRecipes that uses cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla bean, and fresh peaches.
Roasted Summer Vegetables
Summer is obviously the perfect time to enjoy summer veggies, but it’s also the perfect time to avoid getting stuck in the kitchen. Find a happy medium by doing your roasting in the crock pot instead of the oven. The Comfort of Cooking can get you started here, but don’t feel limited to just bell peppers, zucchini, carrots and onions – be creative!
Slow-cooker Salmon
Seeking some succulent salmon in the summer? Don’t fry that fish in the kitchen. Instead, move on up with these slow-cooker instructions for preparing the perfect salmon dinner. The Kitchn has plenty of tips and tricks to get you cooking right here.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Man, is this spinach and artichoke dip is easy to make. You really can’t mess it up. (And trust us, we’re experts on sabotaging our cooking experiments.) Not only is it simple, but this recipe from Damn Delicious is sure to taste… well, we think the blog name speaks for itself.
Squash, Sweet Potato, Carrot, and White Bean Soup
Think soup can’t be served in the summer? Chill out with this chilled version featuring summer squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, and white beans, courtesy of POPSUGAR. Just cook it up, cool it down, and drink it in.
Strawberry-Riesling Jam
We used to think the only way to combine homemade jam and wine was to drink a glass or two while slaving over the stove. Then our friends at Carter Family Recipes enlightened us with this recipe for strawberry-riesling jam. Not only does it contain a healthy dose of summer-friendly wine, but it can be completely prepared in a slow cooker.
Sweet and Sour Chicken with Pineapples
When other Asian dishes seem too spicy for summer, opt for some refreshing sweet and sour chicken instead. Like this recipe from Betty Crocker suggests, you’ll definitely want to add some pineapple for a tropical twist, and then prepare it all in your slow cooker.
Tapioca Pudding
Like the aforementioned rice pudding, tapioca pudding can also serve as a sweet summer snack, and the options are endless. You could go opt for classic vanilla, but that’s so….vanilla. Instead, experiment with options like this chocolate tapioca pudding recipe from Simple Nourished Living or this citrusy orange option from Teaspoon of Spice - both of which can be made in your slow cooker, of course!
Vegetable Frittatas
Frittatas are a good way to get veggies into the most important meal of the day, but who wants to stand over the stove on a hot summer morning? Sure, it will take a bit longer, but this egg and vegetable dish can easily be prepared in the crock pot. Just mix everything up and throw it in, and your breakfast will be ready in about three hours. (If you’re going the brunch route, that’s somewhere between mimosa number two and three.) The Foodie Corner has a fantastic recipe right here that includes eggplant, cherry tomatoes, and feta.
Vegetable Lasagna
Lasagna is a desirable dish year-round, but you can relegate your oven to seasonal work by using your crock pot in the summer. Although you should feel free to add meat, Eating Well has a vegetarian-friendly recipe here that instead uses baby spinach, zucchini, and portobello mushrooms.
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