7 Summer Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (2024)

The summer is approaching, and with it are long days spent at the beach, pool and just outdoors in general. No mom wants to break up the party early to head home and make dinner- especially when everyone is playing so nicely and wearing themselves out in preparation for a good night’s sleep. That’s where your slow cooker comes in handy. Even though your first thought may beto whip up some soups and stews (ultimate comfort and cold weather food), your trusty slow cooker is actually great for the summer time as well. It will reduce your hands-on cooking time (giving you more time to be outside with the kids) and keep the kitchen much cooler than if you were to have the oven and stove blazing. Here are 7 summer recipes, perfect for your slow cooker!

7 Summer Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (1)

Source: Maebells.com

1. Zesty Chicken Tacos

Tacos are almost synonymous with summer. They are light, but have tons of flavor and are so customizable that everyone will leave the dinner satiated. This recipe for Zesty Chicken tacos couldn’t be easier. It only has 5 ingredients and the crock pot does all the work for you! Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy on the patio!

Head over toMaebells.comfor this tasty dish and other great recipes for southern cooking!

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Source: PinchOfYum.com

2. Grilled Pineapple Pork Sandwiches

Pulled pork is another summer staple, and one you can easily serve any night of the week with this delicious recipe. This pork is seasoned with tons of goodies including lots of garlic and red pepper and left to cook for 7-8 hours. It’s then baked to golden brown for just a few minutes. Top with a slice ofpineapple that’s simply grilled on a stovetop skillet, and you and your family will feel like you’re enjoying dinner in Hawaii, instead of your backyard.

VisitPinchOfYum.comto get your hands on this recipe, and many more delicious and gorgeous meals.

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Source: Number-2-Pencil.com

3. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Don’t waste your time hovering over the sweltering BBQ this summer for your beloved BBQ chicken. Use your crock pot instead! Simply placing chicken breasts into your crockpot and covering with BBQ sauce is all it takes before letting your slow cooker do all the work. You can serve the chicken whole with a salad or rice, or shred to include in sandwiches, tacos, burritos- the options are endless!

Check outNumber-2-Pencil.comfor this simple recipe, and other info on crafts, DIY and family travel.

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Source: TheSkinnyFork.com

4. Skinny Summer Jalapeño Corn Chowder

Despite it being warm out, you may still like some heat in the kitchen and this jalapeño corn chowder won’t disappoint. It’s got a great combination of corn, potatoes, spicy peppers and our fav- BACON! With a little prep work before hand, your slow cooker will take this soup to the next level.

TheSkinnyFork.comhas this recipe waiting for you and other healthy and “skinny” versions of your favorite meals.

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Source: GimmeSomeOven.com

5. Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas

This is the perfect combination of tacos and pulled pork: carnitas! This delicious meat is allowed to cook in its own juices for hours and then lightly broiled to give you that crispy texture we all know and love. You can serve as tacos or add to any other dish you like, like burritos or salad.

We loveGimmeSomeOven.com. Check out this recipe and so many more!

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Source: CookingClassy.com

6. Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

This is a simple dish that doesn’t necessarily scream “summer!” but will leave you happy just the same. The prep time is super minimal, coming in at under 10 minutes, and you’re left with a tasty and healthy dinner!

Head over toCookingClassy.comfor this recipe and many more to keep you feeling classy!

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Source: CarlsbadCravings.com

7. Fall Off The Bone Slow Cooker Ribs

You didn’t think we’d have a summer recipe list without ribs did you!? We would never. If you love ribs then you have to give this version a try. A homemade rub and homemade BBQ sauce makes all the difference with this delicious recipe that’s slow cooked for 7-9 hours. You will have fall off the bone ribs every time!

CarlsbadCravings.comis the maker of this ridiculously good-looking recipe. Head over for tons of foodie delights!

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Karly Wood

Editor at Red Tricycle

I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!

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7 Summer Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (12)

Karly Wood

I'm a born and bred Southern California native and currently the managing editor at Red Tri. I get to share my life with my husband of 13 years and our beautiful, 5-year old daughter. In my free time you'll catch me cheering for the Dodgers, cooking, baking, reading, crafting and probably watching a little HGTV!

7 Summer Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is a slow cooker good for the summer? ›

It's hot enough outside so let's keep it as cool as possible inside. Slow cookers will help you save money both inside and outside the home. This small appliance is much more energy-efficient than your oven and stove, while also keeping your AC bill down by not heating up your home.

Who is the crockpot lady in Dayton Ohio? ›

Eva Wells can make anything in a crock pot. Affectionately known as “The Crock Pot Lady,” Wells teaches crock pot cooking to people living in food deserts and under financial constraints.

What size slow cooker for a family of 7? ›

Number of People Serving

Again, a general rule is to plan for 1+ quart pot size per person. Most families will enjoy an average slow cooker size of 6 to 7-quarts.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Is it OK to leave a slow cooker on overnight? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Is it OK to leave slow cooker on all day? ›

Absolutely! If you feel comfortable leaving your crockpot on while you're at work, you should also feel safe using it overnight. However, if your slow cooker is old, it may be time to toss it.

Who is Violet Cooks? ›

Welcome to Violet Cooks. I'm a healthy food content creator in San Francisco. I've always had a passion for food and cooking. During quarantine, I started cooking more and more out of dorm kitchen in college at Vassar and that's when I started Violet Cooks.

Who is the Southern Lady Cook? ›

We are Leigh Walkup and Anne Walkup or as most people call us “the twins”. We spend most of our time in the kitchen, thanks to our heritage and amazing mother, Judy Yeager, who started this website in 2008.

What is the most popular size crockpot? ›

The 6- or 7-quart models are among the most popular, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best choice for everyone. (By the way, here's our favorite slow cooker brand.) Find yourself among the descriptions below to learn which slow cooker we'd recommend for you.

What is too full for a slow cooker? ›

To ensure proper cooking, it is important to fill your slow cooker with the appropriate amount of food. Aim for between half and two-thirds full. If the cooker is too full, the food may not cook evenly and could end up being undercooked. On the other hand, if the cooker is not full enough, the food may overcook.

Is a 6-quart slow cooker too big? ›

If your slow cooker plans are all about big-batch cooking or feeding a large potluck crew (maybe once we're all given the green light to gather again), you're going to want a 6-quart slow cooker or something even larger.

What's the difference between slow cooker and crockpot? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

Which is better a crockpot or a slow cooker? ›

When it comes to cooking, you can use either. While Crock-Pot is just a brand name, Crock-Pots, Crock-Pot-style slow cookers, and other types of slow cookers will all get the job done.

Why are my carrots still hard in the slow cooker? ›

If you don't have enough liquid in the pot, the carrots won't cook evenly and may stay tough. Aim for at least a cup or two of liquid, enough to reach about a third of the way up on the ingredients.

Do slow cookers make the house hot? ›

Benefits of a Slow Cooker

Even though it may take all day to cook something, a slow cooker uses less power than an oven and doesn't heat up your entire kitchen when in use.

Do crock pots make the house hot? ›

While slow cookers do emit a little heat, it is nothing like turning on the oven or cooking on the stove top. The heat is kept low and mostly contained, so you can cook without heating up your house even more. Try it with Crockpot Polenta.

Does a slow cooker give off heat? ›

It Won't Heat Up Your House

During the dog days of summer, we'd rather make no-cook recipes than turn on the oven. But don't forget your trusty slow cooker. This appliance won't warm up your kitchen while preparing a home-cooked meal.

Does using the slow cooker heat up the house? ›

Slow cookers not only conserve energy—meaning they won't heat up your house—they also bring out rich flavors in meals and do the cooking for you throughout the day. Multi-cookers also use less energy, and many meals can be done in one hour or less.

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