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Forget turning on the oven this summer. Here are Easy Summer Crockpot Recipes that will keep you out of the kitchen and your house cool.
I rely on my slow cooker heavily in the summertime. We live in an area where the older houses do not have air conditioners. Not only is the slow cooker a great alternative to not using the oven but the grill as well! After working all day and coming home to a hot house, I do not want to grill! Also, see my favorite dump and go recipes for more easy day recipes.
Why use a slow cooker in the summer instead of an oven?
Less Heat: Slow cooking uses a much lower temperature than an oven. This keeps the house cooler in the summer.
Energy Saver: The slow cooker uses much less energy. A slow cooker uses about 75–90% less electricity than an oven, even though it cooks for longer.
Travel: Handy for transporting meals to potlucks.
Versatile: Great not only for mains, but also for side dishes and even desserts!
Main Course Summer Crockpot Recipes
Don’t feel like grilling? Many recipes for the grill or smoker can be made in the slow cooker. Excellent recipes for cooking all day while you’re away, so you come home to a fully prepared dinner.
Root Beer Pulled Pork is a great option for shredding and putting on buns, and adding slaw for those who like it.
For a simple meal, Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas are a crowd-pleaser and only need tortillas and cheese to serve.
Everything cooks together in one pot when making Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, making this an all-in-one dinner.
A tropical dinner can be made with Slow Cooker Jamaican Jerk Chicken without needing to fire up the grill.
Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil is made simple in the crockpot with shrimp, corn, potatoes, and sausage all cooking together.
These Dr. Pepper Ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and have a sweet barbecue-style sauce made with Dr. Pepper and simple pantry ingredients. Or Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork if you want sandwiches.
Slow Cooker Kalua Pig is a fun Hawaiian-style recipe that pairs well with rice and mac salad.
Slow Cooker Summer Side Dishes
Need a side dish to bring to a potluck or to go along with grilled meat? I have you covered with these easy but impressive sides.
Sweet and buttery, Milk and Honey Corn on the Cob is a side dish that pairs well with barbecue anything.
Loaded with pineapple and ham, Hawaiian Baked Beans bring a sweet and savory twist to classic baked beans.
A packet of onion soup mix gives Lipton Onion Potatoes their bold flavor and makes them perfect alongside grilled meats.
Creamy, cheesy, and always a crowd favorite, Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese belongs at every cookout and potluck.
Cooked low and slow with smoky flavor throughout, Slow Cooker Cabbage makes a flavorful side dish for hearty dinners.
Soft in the center with crisp edges, Slow Cooker Cornbread is a simple way to round out chili, soups, or barbecue meals.
Fresh tomatoes, onions, peppers, and cilantro come together in Slow Cooker Salsa for a fresh, homemade chip dip.
Don’t forget dessert!
Not many people make dessert in the slow cooker because I believe they haven’t tried these recipes! These recipes have summer flavors, and your guests will want seconds!
Moist and packed with banana flavor, Slow Cooker Banana Nut Cake is an easy dessert topped with crunchy walnuts in every bite.
With two different fruit fillings baked side by side, His and Hers Cobbler is perfect when everyone wants a different dessert.
Thinly sliced apples cook down tender in Scalloped Apples with a buttery brown sugar sauce that tastes just like fall.
Warm and creamy, Pineapple Coconut Spoon Cake is filled with tropical flavor and makes an easy slow cooker dessert.
Juicy peaches and a buttery topping make Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler a classic dessert everyone comes back for.
Bright lemon flavor and a soft cake topping come together easily in Lemon Dump Cake with just a few ingredients.
Sweet blackberries bubble beneath a golden topping in Slow Cooker Blackberry Cobbler for an easy homemade dessert.
Can I use frozen blackberries in the cobbler recipe? Have used several of your recipes. I know you have several different slow cookers, but which one do you turn to for most of your recipes??
Hi! Yes, frozen blackberries will work fine. I use a 6-quart crockpot from Crock-Pot Brand with a timer – Usually ones from target. Thanks for trying so many recipes.
Thank you for all of the great recipes
Any chance you have these recipes for small slow cookers? Cooking for two the 6 quart crockpots are too big. It would be a great help if you have the smaller sizes since they aren’t usually just cut in half.
You can probably freeze them for dinner at a future time
I would like your recipe for Potato’s,Cabbage and Kielbasa In the SlowCookerRecipes
Here it is: https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-potatoes-cabbage-and-kielbasa/
Thx for the recipes! Hint…I will place my crock pot out on back porch during our super hot days here in SC.
Just wanted to let you know I have enjoyed your recipes more than I can say. Thanks to you, my wife will actually let me into the kitchen. Keep up the great work.
Wow . This post has me covered for most of my Summertime needs. Thanks.
I am teaching a class on Crock pot cooking. I took some of your recipes. They all look yummy. I will let you know ow it comes out.
Glad the recipes can be of help!
looking for the roast beef recipe that I saw on here earlier but can’t find it. can u send to me?
I sent you an email, hopefully I can help you find it.