Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Quick & Easy Meals 37 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes for Easy Meals in the Heat Let these hot weather recipes sit in the slow cooker without heating up the house. By Kimberly Holland and Samantha Leffler Samantha Leffler Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 13, 2024 Close Photo: Victor Protasio Slow cookers are often associated with cold-weather cooking, when deeply comforting stews and long-simmered tagines help fill the tummy (and soul) on long winter days. But if you put away your slow cooker when the mercury starts to rise, you're doing a dire disservice to yourself and your dinner guests. In the summertime, when the mere idea of heating up an oven or sauté pan makes you break a sweat, you can use a summer slow cooker recipes to make dinners and sides. 01 of 37 Slow Cooker Puttanesca With Roasted Broccolini Jennifer Causey If you’re not using your slow cooker to make pasta sauce, this is the perfect recipe to try. Here, the multitasking appliance is used to create a rich, tangy puttanesca made with peeled tomatoes, Italian sausage, kalamata olives, and capers. When the sauce is almost done cooking, go ahead and boil your pasta and roast the broccolini for an easy summer meal. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 37 Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Sliders Sliders are a summertime staple. In this recipe, Barbacoa-inspired beef chuck roast is flavored with chipotle chiles in adobo, ground cumin, dried oregano, and more before cooking in the slow cooker for about eight hours. Once the meat is done, it’s piled onto slider buns with a quick slaw and pickled jalapeños that bring acidity and heat, respectively. If you need a new dish for your next cookout, try this one. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 37 Slow Cooker Chicken Tostadas Caitlin Bensel This summer recipe transforms boneless, skinless chicken thighs into juicy, salsa-infused meat, perfect for topping tostadas—aka toasted or fried corn tortillas. Add a fresh, homemade pico de gallo and crumbled queso fresco, and dinner is served. If you’re cooking for a larger group as part of a summer soiree, simply double the recipe. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 37 Pulled Pork Tacos Kan Kanbayashi There’s never a wrong time of year to eat tacos, especially if they come together with just 15 minutes of hands-on work, thanks to the slow cooker. Serve these pork tacos with tortillas, cilantro, sour cream, lime, and extra salsa for a complete meal. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 37 Coca-Cola Carnitas Jennifer Causey Fans of batch cooking will appreciate this slow-cooked pork shoulder recipe. It's brimming with flavor thanks to chili powder, cumin, and oregano, but a braise of sugary cola makes the meat tender and exceptionally juicy. (Bonkers, we know!) Put this in to cook on a Sunday or the first night of your vacation, and use it to make tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and more all week long. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 37 Slow Cooker Deep Dish Pizza Victor Protasio While you might not think to use your slow cooker to make a pizza pie, it’s totally possible to do it. Simply stretch the pizza dough to fill a large slow cooker insert, then top as you like. Yes, it’s that easy, and works for any time of the year. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 37 Slow Cooker Pork With Peppers and Olives Greg DuPree Cuban ropa vieja meets pork (instead of the traditional beef) in this easy slow cooker recipe. Here, the meat is bathed in a tomato-y bell pepper and onion sauce. Once you add pimiento-stuffed olives and generous amounts of oregano, cumin, and garlic, you’ve got a deep, flavorful stew for the summer. Serve with black beans and white rice to soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 37 Slow Cooker Pineapple Upside Down Cake Victor Protasio For a summertime dessert that calls for just 25 minutes of prep, consider this pineapple upside-down cake. While you will need to add the ingredients to the slow cooker in batches, that’s really the only work required, aside from inverting the cake once it’s finished. Serve with a generous dollop of unsweetened whipped cream and dig in! GET THE RECIPE 09 of 37 Slow Cooker Ragù With Spaghetti Squash Caitlin Bensel If you’re looking for a lighter alternative to spaghetti in the summer months, try spaghetti squash. While there are many ways to cook the pasta-like insides of this gourd, using a slow cooker means you only need to do 15 minutes of hands-on work, while the appliance does the rest. Shower the finished dish with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan and you’re all set. GET THE RECIPE 10 of 37 Slow Cooker Cinnamon-Pecan Monkey Bread Heather Meldrom There’s something about monkey bread in the summer that conjures up memories of campfires and sing-alongs. This version requires just 20 minutes of hands-on work and can function either as an after-dinner treat or a decadent breakfast. Just note that if you plan to serve it immediately after cooking rather than keeping it warm, reduce the water called for in the recipe to 1/3 cup. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 37 Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes Con Poulos Yes, chili is great when it’s cold and blustery outside, but it’s just as delicious during the warmer months as well. Plus, since this meat-free recipe uses a slow cooker, you don’t need to stand over the stove for hours. This hearty dish is packed with sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and a variety of beans, and is perfect for a crowd. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 37 Slow Cooker Curried Chicken With Ginger and Yogurt José Picayo Cook up some tender chicken doused in some seriously delicious seasoning—curry powder, cumin, fresh ginger, tomato paste, and garlic combined to create an aromatic stew. Make the meal with some rice to be sure your friends and family are fed and full. The yogurt adds something light and different for the summertime. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 37 Slow Cooker Soy-Braised Chicken Con Poulos This take on chicken adobo includes chicken that is braised in a mixture of vinegar and soy sauce, which creates a sweet and sour marinade that’s as delicious as it sounds. Serve it with rice and bok choy so you can soak up every last bit like you soak up every bit of summer. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 37 Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork Sandwiches with Crunchy Coleslaw Romulo Yanes If you don’t feel like firing up the grill for your next summer BBQ, just make these barbecue pork sandwiches instead. In this recipe, pork flavored with brown sugar, chili powder, vinegar, and more cooks until it’s tender enough to shred with a fork. The coleslaw served alongside provides the perfect crisp and creamy balance, while the sandwich rolls hold everything together. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 37 Slow Cooker Frittata With Sausage and Waffle Fries Brie Passano In just over two hours, you can slow-cook crispy frittatas. Using waffle fries or hash browns, the result is rich, custardy, full-of-flavor frittatas. Slice it up for all your friends and family as a summer snack. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 37 Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches Greg DuPree Slow-cooked meals have a reputation for being overly rich, but in summer months, the goal is dinners that are light and refreshing. That's precisely why you should make these sandwiches: briny pork, salty ham, tangy pickles, and bright mustard fill crusty bread. Serve with an ice-cold beer and a side of baked chips for a fast and delicious dinner. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 37 Slow Cooker Chocolate Pudding Cake Victor Protasio This ooey-gooey, chocolatey cake couldn't be easier to make in the slow cooker. Whisk the ingredients together, add them to your slow cooker, and let it all cook for three hours. Eat this summertime dessert warm, topped with whipped cream or ice cream that melts decadently into the chocolate. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 37 BBQ Sweet Potato Bakers Max Kelly Use your slow cooker to soften spuds like these healthy and hearty sweet potatoes. Pack them with plenty of summer-ready toppings like fresh corn, chopped tomatoes, or crisp chives to bring your farmer's market haul right to your table. Serve with a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to avoid turning on your stove. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 37 Chicken Taco Soup Jennifer Causey You might think soup is just too hot for a summer day, but it can be very refreshing and filling without making you fan yourself at the table. Plus, you can use cooling toppings like radishes, sour cream, avocado, and fresh corn to keep things light. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 37 Sweet and Spicy Pork Tenderloin Greg DuPree A spicy-sweet coating of brown sugar and crushed red pepper helps seal in moisture in this pork tenderloin. A hint of umami is added by soy-spiked beef stock. You can use this tenderloin the way we recommend—served over rice with crisp, refreshing-for-summer cucumbers and carrots, or use it to make quick tacos, a salad topper, or even the meat for a mix-and-match burrito bowl. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 37 Black Bean Posole Victor Protasio Cool, fresh toppings like avocado, radishes, and cilantro tame the heat and spice of this Mexican soup, which helps you stave off a sweat. Plus, this soup is broth-based, which is lighter and more refreshing than a hearty stew on a hot night. It's perfect for freezing if you have any leftovers, but we doubt there will be much left behind. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 37 Open-Faced Pulled-Pork Sandwiches with Tangy Broccoli Slaw Marcus Nilsson Juicy pulled pork makes for fast and easy sandwiches with a quick, fresh, and crisp slaw topping. You can eat the slaw (which is also made ahead for the best flavor) on the sandwich or as a side. If you've got summer-ripe ears of corn, they're welcome with this easy summer sandwich too. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 37 Big-Batch Slow Cooker Black Beans Jennifer Causey Beans can long-simmer over a stove eye, but the heat can be overwhelming when the sun is so strong. Opt for cooking beans in your slow cooker instead. You can even skip the overnight soaking step. Use your batch of beans as a side throughout the week or as the base for a soup, salad, or grain bowl. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 37 Slow Cooked Angel Food Cake Victor Protasio Light-as-air angel food cake is the perfect companion to juicy summer strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and/or a tropical mixture of pineapple, mango, and flaked coconut. This fluffy dessert can bake while you make an assortment of no-cook summer dinners. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 37 Slow Cooker Brisket With Melty Onions and Chimichurri Victor Protasio You might be used to cooking brisket on the backyard barbecue in the summer, but it also works in the slow cooker—and you only need 20 minutes of prep time to do it. This recipe pairs it with flavorful onions and chimichurri, which you can also top with a parsley-and-horseradish sauce for some extra zest. So you can spend more time enjoying the meal in the yard, and less time standing over the barbecue, spatula in hand. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 37 Slow Cooker Chicken Congee Jennifer Causey The benefit of making this traditional Chinese dish in the slow cooker? The long cooking time makes the coconut milk even more flavorful. Top it with roasted mushrooms, a fried egg, cilantro, sliced avocado, or Sriracha. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 37 Slow Cooker Chipotle Short Ribs With Tangy Cabbage Slaw Raymond Hom These short ribs are full of fun flavors for the summertime, like onion, garlic, chipotle peppers, tomato, and cumin. Many of the ingredients in this dish thrive in the warmer months; for example, if you can find farm-fresh tomato paste, all the better. Cabbage slaw is a summer staple that pairs well with this dish, too. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 37 Slow Cooker Coq au Vin Caitlin Bensel In this clever recipe, flavors from the wine, veggies, and spices infuse the chicken as it cooks. Serve over egg noodles, pearl barley, or white or brown rice. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 37 Slow Cooker Spinach Lasagna With Romaine Salad José Picayo To follow this slow cooker recipe, simply layer the noodles, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and a mixture of spinach and ricotta right into the slow cooker. Let it cook until the noodles are tender, which takes about three and a half hours. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 37 Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Roland Bello This popular, tomato-based Indian food isn't too spicy but still has a nice kick. This dish benefits from a mix of flavors coming from cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, and black pepper. And the chicken soaks it all up as it cooks. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 37 Slow Cooker Chinese Pork Shoulder Recipe Jonny Valiant The secret to this tasty recipe is Chinese five-spice powder, which is a combination of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel seed, and Szechuan peppercorns. Serve the pork over white rice and sprinkle it with scallions. GET THE RECIPE 32 of 37 Slow Cooker Asian Short Ribs Marcus Nilsson To make this savory recipe, place most of the ingredients in together all at once and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours, or on high for 5 to 6 hours. After transferring the ribs and veggies to plates, you'll make the sauce with the remaining juices. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 37 Slow Cooker Apple Spice Cake Victor Protasio Though this scrumptious cake takes about five hours total to make, there are only 30 minutes of hands-on time. When it's done, dust it with powdered sugar or drizzle on caramel sauce. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 37 Slow Cooker Chicken and Pasta Soup Chicken and pasta soup is a super simple recipe you can whip together in the slow cooker for those busy summer nights—and, particularly, those sweaty summer nights. Eating hot food increases your internal body temperature, which causes you to sweat more and actually cool down. So soup doesn't sound so bad in the heat, after all. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 37 Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken with Biscuits José Picayo There's something sort of nostalgic about biscuits for dinner, and summer is all about playfulness. So experiment with this slow-cooked creamy chicken with biscuits. A mix of dried thyme, sage, marjoram, and rosemary make this meal a tasty one that's as full of flavor as it is nutrients (and comfort). GET THE RECIPE 36 of 37 Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage Diana Rattray An Instant Pot is a multitasker, and slow cooker is one of the roles it plays. With this quick corned beef and cabbage recipe, any day can be St. Paddy's Day. Give the brisket a quick sear before popping it in the cooker to lock in the juicy flavor, and serve with a big dollop of sour cream, a sprinkling of parsley, and some Irish soda bread for a complete Irish feast. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 37 Spiced Quinoa-Oat Slow Cooker Granola Brie Passano Looking for something light to start your morning? Yogurt and granola is a quick and easy, grab-and-go meal that you can keep cool in the fridge (and cool yourself down with it!). This granola has a fragrant spice to it, and it only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on time. GET THE RECIPE 34 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes With Less Than 20 Minutes of Prep Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit