When the temperatures start going uppppp 🔥 the last thing anyone wants to do is stand over a hot stove or crank up the oven heat 🤣 BUT when you still want something easy to throw in and forget about until dinner…enter: the slow cooker!
While it may be known for cozy soups and winter comfort food, this kitchen MVP deserves a spot on your countertop all summer long, too! From yummy main dishes perfect for busy weeknights, to crowd-pleasing sides for backyard BBQs, and even a few sweet treats that’ll surprise you – these slow cooker recipes do all the heavy lifting while you enjoy more time outside! Whether you’re feeding your family, hosting friends, or just trying to survive the summer schedules, these easy recipes are here to keep dinners simple, delicious, and stress-free!
Grab your slow cooker and let’s make summer cooking a whole lot easier! 🌞🍉🍗🍑
Need picnic-ready recipes?! We’ve got you covered with our favorite go-to meals for eating on the go, plus our ultimate outdoor hosting guide for all your summer entertaining needs!
Main Dishes
Tuscan Chicken Thighs
Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup green onion
- 4 whole cloves, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp dried Italian season
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 cups spinach
Instructions
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Heat the olive oil in a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the chicken thighs. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Brown the chicken on both sides, 2-4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker.
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Reduce the heat to medium and add the shallots to the pan. Sauté, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
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Pour the chicken broth into the pan and cook for 1 minute, gently scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat.
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Transfer the contents of the pan to the slow cooker.
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Add the Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on high heat for 2-2.5 hours or low for 4-5 hours, until chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165° F.
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Add spinach and heavy whipping cream, cook for 5-10 minutes.
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Serve with rice or noodles. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Recipe from https://kristineskitchenblog.com/tuscan-slow-cooker-chicken-thighs/#recipe
I made a few changes based on ingredients on hand and personal preferences!
Garlic Butter Beef Tips & Potatoes
Garlic Butter Beef Tips & Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Beef Tips or Stew Meat
- 1.5 lb Little Potatoes
- 5 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 Tbs Worcestershire Sauce
- 4 Tbs Butter
Instructions
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Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Salt and Pepper to taste. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
The most delicious, easy chicken tacos!
Ingredients
- 2 Large Chicken Breasts
- 1 packet Taco Seasoning
- 1 packet Ranch Dressing Mix
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
Instructions
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Add all ingredients into slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Shred chicken, return to juice for 30 minutes on low.
Recipe Notes
Double the recipe, saving half for another easy meal later in the week. Works great for quesadillas, soups, nachos and casseroles.
Crockpot Sliders
Crockpot Sliders
I love this recipe for Game Days! Throw everything in the crockpot, let it warm up, and guests can serve themselves as often as they’d like throughout the game!
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Beef Browned
- 1 lb Ground Sausage Browned
- 1 lb Velveeta
- 3/4 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/8 cup Milk
- 24 Hawaiian Rolls
Instructions
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Brown Hamburger and Sausage in large skillet. Drain.
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Add browned meat, cubed Velveeta, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder and Black Pepper into Crock Pot. Cook on low for approximately 2 hours, until cheese is melted.
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Add a splash of milk, approximately 1/8 Cup. Stir. Switch Crock Pot to Warm setting, serve with Hawaiian Rolls.
Beer Chicken and Cheese Sandwiches
Beer Chicken & Cheese Sandwiches
Beer, Chicken and Cheese! Not much more you can ask for in this recipe! A household favorite for Saturday football games, Fall nights and those quick and easy meals that are crowd pleasers!
Ingredients
- 1-2 lbs Chicken Breast [Frozen]
- 12 oz Beer [we prefer Oktoberfest but any Ale will work!]
- 2 Cloves Garlic [minced]
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 2 tbsp. Butter
- 2 tbsp. Flour
- 1/2 cup Beer
- 3/4 cup Milk
- 8-10 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 2 tbsp. Chives [chopped]
- Pretzel Rolls
- Dijon Mustard [for serving]
Instructions
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Place Frozen Chicken, 12oz Beer, minced garlic and salt in a slow cooker.
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Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
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After 8 hours; remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred [Chicken should shred easily].
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Remove some of the liquid from the slow cooker.
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Place shredded chicken back in slow cooker with remaining liquid
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In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
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Once melted, add in flour and whisk for about 2 minutes [should have a paste consistency].
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Slowly whisk in beer [½ cup] and milk.
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Continue whisking until smooth and thickened.
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Turn the heat to low and slowly stir in shredded cheese, a little at a time, until melted.
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Add salt and pepper to taste! [I also sprinkle a little garlic powder]
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Stir in chives.
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If cheese is too thick, add in a little milk for a thinner consistency.
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For some extra kick we add in diced fresh jalapeños!!
To Serve:
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Warm pretzel buns in oven for a couple minutes at 350°, place shredded chicken on bottom bun, place cheese on top! Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
This is an easy but delicious recipe perfect for hosting or to just whip up on any Tuesday!
Ingredients
- 4-5 Chicken Breasts
- 1-2 Lemons juiced
- 3-4 cloves minced garlic
- 1-2 tsp dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- splash of olive oil or chicken broth
Toppings [all optional!]
- cucumber
- tomato
- red onion
- tzatziki
- olive oil + lemon
- Hot honey drizzle
- feta
- naan bread
Instructions
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Combine ingredients in the slow cooker
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Cook on low 5–6 hours or high 3–4 hours
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Warm naan and build like a flatbread
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Add the toppings of your choosing and enjoy!
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Place pork shoulder in the slow cooker
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Pour pineapple juice and coconut aminos over the top
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Add garlic, ginger, and pepper
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Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 5–6 hours, until the pork easily shreds
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Shred and toss with the cooking juices
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Serve over rice or on Hawaiian rolls
Sides
Cowboy Crack Dip
Cowboy Crack
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz. Packages of Cream Cheese
- 2 c. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 lb. Spricy Ground Sausage [browned & drained]
- 1 c. Frozen Corn
- 2 cans Rotel
Instructions
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Mix all ingredients into crockpot and cook on low for 1-2 hours.
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Serve with tortillas chips. Enjoy!
Desserts
coming soon!
