We often think of our slow cookers as these power house tools for cooler times of the year like fall through winter. But honestly, we use our slow cooker all year long! It’s the perfect way to get a meal on the table when it’s too hot to grill or for when you’re enjoying being outside and you don’t want to worry about cooking dinner.
These summer slow cooker meals (that we really make all year long:) are so easy to get started there’s nothing to stress about. These slow cooker dinners are also some of our favorite recipes to make when we’re on vacation (think shore house or rental house as opposed to a hotel) because no one wants to be inside cooking when you’re on vacation! Instead, prep these slow cooker meals and hit the beach or the pool for the day and come home to dinner ready to serve
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Best Slow Cookers
There’s really so many slow cookers to choose from, but we have a few of our favorites here. There’s things to consider like different sizes, shapes, features and price ranges – but it all depends on your needs.
We love using this rectangle-shaped slow cooker for when we don’t want food overlapping or stacked on top of each other like our slow cooker meatballs. Meatballs are delicate, so you don’t want them stacked on top of each other and breaking apart.
This 7 quart slow cooker is our go-to for everything. It can hold a pork butt, a roast, racks of ribs, or a giant batch of soup. We love the locking lid for transporting food, and also the digital programmable features. We definitely can’t live the automatic “keep warm” setting that clicks on when your food is done. No stressing about getting home to overcooked food!
This cute little 2 quart crock pot is what we use for things like queso or hot dips. Once our dip or queso is done, we’ll transfer a portion over to this small slow cooker to keep warm through the night. Because no one wants congealed queso…it’s a party saver!
Cheesy BBQ Pulled Pork
Cheesy BBQ Pulled Pork is always a hit at parties! Our famous pulled pork recipe mixed with sharp cheddar cheese has the most addicting flavor!
Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas
These Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas are sure to be a favorite dinner at your house! Use this chicken for tacos or nachos or just serve over rice!
Slow Cooker Chicken Wings
This Slow Cooker Chicken Wings recipe makes fall off the bone tender wings! The sauce is sticky, sweet & crazy addicting! Perfect for game day.
Black Bean and Corn Soup
Black Bean and Corn Soup couldn’t be easier to make! Just add everything into a crock pot and walk away – perfect for meal prepping, parties and game day!
Hawaiian Pulled Chicken
This addicting, sweet pulled chicken is one of our favorites for serving a crowd at parties, or for meal prepping during the week. This bbq chicken practically cooks itself, making for an easy, delicious meal!
Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken
This 5 ingredient slow cooker chicken recipe has so many uses! Make nachos, tacos, add it to salads, or pile it on buns with avocado or mayonnaise.
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Our Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers are slow cooked in a sweet marsala wine sauce. So tender and flavorful, this is sure to become a favorite!
Slow Cooker French Dip
These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches turn out so tender and juicy, and the au jus makes itself! Pile the shredded beef onto sub rolls with melted provolone cheese and serve the au jus on the side for dipping.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce
This Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce is the best thing to come home to after a long day! Packed with ground beef simmered in a deep, flavorful sauce that can be served with pasta and so much more!
Slow Cooker Taco Chicken
This Slow Cooker Taco Chicken is one of our kids favorite dinner recipes! They love it in taco shells or wrapped up in tortillas, or serve it in a bowl with avocado for a low carb meal!
Slow Cooker Flank Steak
This Slow Cooker Flank Steak turns out super juicy and so tender! Great for meal prepping or an easy dinner on busy nights!
Slow Cooker Ribs
These Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs couldn’t be easier to make and you won’t believe how amazing they turn out! An easy dinner recipe for any occasion!
Cowboy Beans
Cowboy Beans are a staple at any party or BBQ. These beans have a whole pound of ground beef and a whole pound of bacon, slow cooked in a sweet and tangy sauce that’s absolutely irresistible.
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
This Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken only has 4 ingredients! So easy to make, just dump into your slow cooker and walk away. We love this creamy chicken for rice bowls, tacos, burritos and meal prepping.
Crock Pot Sticky Chicken Legs
Easy chicken recipes like these crock pot chicken legs are always on our dinner menu!
Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches
These Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches are an easy dinner for any night of the week! Perfect for meal prepping, game days or holidays!
Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork is sweet, savory and crazy delicious. Classic cherry soda caramelizes and tenderizes this addicting slow cooker pork recipe!
