15 Summer Crockpot Recipes for Lazy Days

As the temperatures rise and summer settles in, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in a sweltering kitchen. But fear not, because crockpots are here to save the day!

These handy kitchen appliances aren’t just for winter soups and stews; they’re perfect for creating delicious, hassle-free meals all summer long.

Our collection of summer crockpot recipes will keep your kitchen cool while delivering mouthwatering dishes that everyone will love.

So, dust off that slow cooker and get ready to enjoy these easy, flavorful, and perfectly suited recipes for those hot summer days!

1. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

This recipe is a lifesaver on hot days. Toss chicken breasts or thighs with your favorite BBQ sauce, throw them in the crockpot, and let them simmer until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender. Perfect for sandwiches, salads, or serving with grilled veggies.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
3. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 6 hours.
5. Shred the chicken with two forks and mix with the sauce in the slow cooker.

Serve with: Coleslaw, cornbread

Drink: Iced tea, lemonade

2. Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

Bring the tropics to your table with this easy crockpot meal. Combine chicken breasts, pineapple chunks, peppers, and a sweet and savory sauce. The slow cooker will transform the chicken into juicy perfection, and the pineapple adds a touch of sweetness and acidity.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (with juice)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

1. Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
2. Add pineapple chunks with juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, bell peppers, and garlic.
3. Stir to combine.
4. Cook on low for 5 hours.
5. Serve the chicken with the sauce and vegetables over rice.

Serve with: Steamed rice, green salad

Drink: Pineapple juice, coconut water

3. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

This versatile recipe is a weeknight wonder. Simply toss chicken breasts or thighs with salsa, black beans, corn, and your favorite spices. The slow cooker will shred the chicken for you, creating a flavorful base for tacos, burritos, or bowls.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups salsa
• 1 packet taco seasoning

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle taco seasoning over the chicken.
3. Pour salsa over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 4 hours.
5. Shred the chicken with two forks and mix with the salsa in the slow cooker.

Serve with: Tortillas, avocado slices

Drink: Margaritas, lime soda

4. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Pulled pork is a classic for a reason, and the crockpot makes it incredibly easy. Season a pork shoulder with your favorite rub and let it cook low and slow for juicy, tender goodness. Serve on buns with BBQ sauce and coleslaw for a satisfying summer meal.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Rub pork shoulder with paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
2. Place in the slow cooker.
3. Mix BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar; pour over the pork.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours.
5. Shred the pork and mix with the sauce in the slow cooker.
6. Serve on buns.

Serve with: Coleslaw, pickles

Drink: Root beer, craft beer

5. Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

Carnitas are another fantastic option for summer gatherings. Cubes of pork shoulder are simmered in a blend of spices and citrus juices, resulting in crispy, flavorful meat that’s perfect for tacos. Top with your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Place pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
2. Add orange juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, chili powder, garlic, and salt.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.
4. Shred the pork and crisp it up in a skillet before serving in tortillas.

Serve with: Fresh cilantro, diced onions

Drink: Margaritas, Mexican beer

6. Slow Cooker Corn and Jalapeño Dip

This creamy dip is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Corn, cream cheese, jalapenos, and spices come together in the slow cooker for a hot and cheesy appetizer that’s perfect for parties, potlucks, or game nights.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/4 cup diced jalapeños
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Serve with: Tortilla chips, veggie sticks

Drink: Cold beer, margaritas

7. Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

This hearty soup is perfect for a light summer dinner. Chicken, beans, corn, tomatoes, and spices simmer together in the crockpot for a flavorful and satisfying meal. Top with tortilla strips, avocado, and cilantro for a complete experience.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours.
3. Shred the chicken and stir back into the soup.
4. Serve with tortilla strips, avocado, and cheese.

Serve with: Tortilla strips, avocado slices

Drink: Mexican beer, horchata

8. Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket

Brisket is a cut of meat that benefits tremendously from slow cooking. Seasoned with a smoky BBQ rub and cooked low and slow, the brisket becomes incredibly tender and flavorful. Perfect for sandwiches, on its own, or served with BBQ sauce for dipping.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs beef brisket
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Place brisket in the slow cooker.
2. Mix BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
3. Pour over the brisket.
4. Cook on low for 10 hours.
5. Slice and serve with extra sauce.

Serve with: Mashed potatoes, coleslaw

Drink: Craft beer, iced tea

9. Slow Cooker Asian Chicken Lettuce Cups

This healthy and flavorful recipe is perfect for a light summer meal. Ground chicken is simmered in a savory Asian sauce with vegetables like carrots and water chestnuts. Serve in lettuce cups with your favorite toppings like sriracha and chopped peanuts.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Lettuce leaves

Instructions:

1. Place ground chicken in the slow cooker.
2. Add soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours.
4. Serve in lettuce leaves.

Serve with: Steamed rice, cucumber salad

Drink: Green tea, sake

10. Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

Dessert can be easy too! Simply toss together sliced peaches, a buttery crumble topping, and a touch of sugar in the crockpot. Let it cook until the peaches are bubbling and the topping is golden brown. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups sliced peaches
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Place peaches in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, mix sugar, flour, milk, melted butter, baking powder, and cinnamon.
3. Pour over the peaches.
4. Cook on high for 3 hours.
5. Serve warm with ice cream.

Serve with: Vanilla ice cream

Drink: Iced tea, coffee

11. Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic summer side dish, and the crockpot makes them effortless. Combine canned beans, brown sugar, molasses, and your favorite spices for a sweet and savory side that goes perfectly with burgers, hot dogs, or grilled chicken.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups navy beans, soaked overnight
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Place soaked beans in the slow cooker.
2. Add bacon, onion, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, and salt.
3. Stir to combine.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours.
5. Stir occasionally and add water if necessary.

Serve with: Grilled meats, cornbread

Drink: Lemonade, iced tea

12. Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob

This recipe is a simple yet delicious way to cook corn on the cob. Add a pat of butter and your favorite seasonings to the husks before tossing them in the crockpot. The slow cooker will steam the corn to perfection, resulting in juicy and flavorful cobs.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 6 ears of corn, husked
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Place corn in the slow cooker.
2. Pour melted butter over the corn.
3. Cook on high for 3 hours.
4. Season with salt and serve.

Serve with: Grilled meats, potato salad

Drink: Lemonade, beer

13. Slow Cooker Strawberry Dump Cake

This easy dessert is perfect for feeding a crowd. Simply layer a can of crushed pineapple, a box of cake mix, and fresh strawberries in the crockpot. Let it cook until the cake is golden brown and the fruit is bubbly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups strawberries, sliced
• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Place strawberries in the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle cake mix over the strawberries.
3. Pour melted butter and sprinkle sugar on top.
4. Cook on high for 2 hours.
5. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.

Serve with: Whipped cream, vanilla ice cream

Drink: Iced tea, coffee

14. Slow Cooker Italian Chicken with Zucchini Noodles

This healthy and flavorful recipe is perfect for a light summer dinner. Chicken breasts are simmered in a flavorful Italian sauce with vegetables like zucchini noodles and tomatoes. Serve over a bed of zucchini noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 zucchinis, spiralized
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Add marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours.
4. Serve over spiralized zucchini noodles.
5. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve with: Garlic bread, Caesar salad

Drink: Red wine, sparkling water

15. Slow Cooker Beef Nachos

Who needs takeout when you can make delicious nachos at home? Season ground beef and simmer it in the crockpot with taco seasoning. Layer tortilla chips with the cooked beef, your favorite toppings like cheese, beans, and salsa, and let it melt in the oven for a fun and satisfying summer meal.

Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup water
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Toppings: jalapeños, sour cream, salsa, guacamole

Instructions:

1. Place ground beef, taco seasoning, and water in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 8 hours.
3. Stir in black beans.
4. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
5. Top with beef mixture and shredded cheese.
6. Broil until cheese is melted.
7. Serve with desired toppings.

Serve with: Guacamole, salsa

Drink: Margaritas, Mexican beer

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