40 Crock-Pot Summer Recipes for Easy Meals on Hot Days

It can be tough to find a meal that everyone in the family loves and that is also quick, makes for a minimal mess, and even offer up enough food for leftovers. Thankfully, Crock-Pot cooking usually means getting all of those benefits out of a dish. And the best thing about using a slow cooker in the busy summer months is that it doesn't heat up the kitchen the way the stove and oven do. On some of those brutally hot days, even standing over an outdoor grill is just too much to bear.

Of course, it's not hard to assume that most slow-cooker recipes are meant for cooler, fall and winter months. After all, this kitchen appliance does a mean job cooking cold-weather comfort foods from chili to stews, pasta sauces, and hearty meat dishes — even desserts. But to conclude that it's not useful on BBQ and beach days as well would certainly be a mistake!

From scrumptious, summery sides like German potato salad or black-eyed peas to festive entrées like a Santa Fe chicken salad or barbacoa tacos, the slow cooker definitely comes in handy for prepping both entrées and small bites fit for hot nights and fun, school-free days.

All summer Crock-Pot cooking requires is thinking a bit more creatively and seasonally! Many of these summer slow-cooker recipes incorporate fresh ingredients that are in season during the warmer months, like zucchini, tomatoes, and berries. Some are perfect to serve at a BBQ and others can go in the Crock-Pot before the family heads to the pool and will be ready for al fresco dining at dinnertime.

frittata Crock-Pot Recipe
The Foodie Corner/Pinterest

Santa Fe Chicken Salad Crock-Pot Recipe

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iStock.com/rudisill

This vibrant, nourishing Santa Fe chicken salad is a great go-to for dinner on a balmy night. And the chicken and veggies cook right in the Crock-Pot.

Barbecue Pulled Chicken Crock-Pot Recipe

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kae71463/flickr

Yum! Make "barbecue" pulled chicken in a Crock-Pot, and avoid spending long hours at the grill.

Succotash Crock-Pot Recipe

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elixaraxi/Flickr

Suffering succotash? No way! This slow cooker succotash is succulent. The veggie dish can be cooked in a Crock-Pot and then served up as a side dish at a block party or picnic.

Easy Italian Meatballs Crock-Pot Recipe

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jshj/Flickr

When the kids come back from summer camp singing "On Top of Spaghetti," that craving sets in. Thank goodness Rachael Ray's "easy cheesy Italian meatballs" cook in a slow cooker, so there's no heating up the stove.

Summer Chowder Crock-Pot Recipe

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Foodtastic Mom/Pinterest

Zucchini, tomatoes, and basil make this corn-based chowder super-summery. Whip it up in a Crock-Pot — no stove required!

Hamburger Crock-Pot Recipe

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pointnshoot/flickr

We didn't know hamburgers could be cooked in the Crock-Pot — wow! Check out this recipe for the perfect slow-cooker hamburgers. Have them waiting for the whole family when everyone gets home for dinner and eat on the deck or patio.

Berry Cobbler Crock-Pot Recipe

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The Recipe Rebel/Pinterest

In the summer months, berries are in season, and that means this slow-cooker berry cobbler is an all-too-perfect dessert option.

Barbacoa Beef Crock-Pot Recipe

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dunham/flickr

This easy and delicious recipe for slow-cooker barbacoa beef makes a ton, so it keeps the family eating tacos for the rest of the week. Nothing to complain about here!

Chicken Posole Crock-Pot Recipe

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Delish/Pinterest

With poblanos and limes, Mexican dish chicken posole is perfect comfort food for a cooler summer evening.

P.F. Chang's Lettuce Wraps Crock-Pot Recipe

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uchu75/flickr

Looking for lighter fare than typical burgers and dogs? Check out this copy-cat restaurant recipe that can be made in the Crock-Pot: P.F. Chang's lettuce wraps.

5-Ingredient Granola Crock-Pot Recipe

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Pinterest/Amy's Healthy Baking

For a quick on-the-go breakfast or a snack to pack for a beach day, this healthy 5-ingredient granola is so easy to make in a Crock-Pot, and it's satisfyingly crunchy, to boot.

5-Ingredient Creamed Corn Crock-Pot Recipe

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Foodie Crush / Pinterest

Make use of all that deliciously sweet summer corn with this 5-ingredient slow cooker creamed corn recipe.

Frittata with Zucchini, Tomato and Feta Crock-Pot Recipe

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The Foodie Corner/Pinterest

For breakfast or any meal, this frittata with feta, zucchini, and tomato is a perfectly refreshing, protein-packed dish.

Mango Salsa Chicken Crock-Pot Recipe

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Cutefetti/Pinterest

This Crock-Pot chicken recipe makes use of fresh mango, tomatoes, cilantro, and onion for a vibrant and sweet, summery flavor.

Moo Shu Chicken Crock-Pot Recipe

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kate71463/Flickr

Here's a tasty filling for wraps that will be ready whenever the family is: slow-cooker moo shu chicken. We hear it's even better than takeout!

Potato Soup Crock-Pot Recipe

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Imagine a baked potato loaded with favorite fixings — only in soup form. That's slow-cooker loaded potato soup. To kick it up a notch, toast little round loaves of bread, hollow them out, and serve the soup inside those bread bowls. Double yum!

Peach Cobbler Crock-Pot Recipe

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Ralph Daily/flickr

Use those perfectly ripe peaches to create the ultimate dessert: slow-cooker peach cobbler.

Twice-Baked Potatoes Crock-Pot Recipe

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Jeffreyw/Flickr

With cheese, chives, and sour cream, this Crock-Pot recipe for twice-baked potatoes makes a pretty impressive side-dish for a BBQ.

Macaroni and Cheese Crock-Pot Recipe

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stevendepolo/flickr

It's arguably the best picnic side dish ever invented, and now this Crock-Pot macaroni and cheese recipe makes it smooth, creamy, and simply dreamy.

Corn on the Cob Crock-Pot Recipe

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Keith McDuffee/flickr

Didn't ever think to make corn on the cob in the Crock-Pot? This corn on the cob recipe shows just how simple and delicious it can be. And it's a good solution for when the grill is filled with meat or veggie burgers, and boiling water on the stovetop seems like too much of a pain.

Creamed Spinach Crock-Pot Recipe

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Arnold Gatilao/flickr

This Crock-Pot creamed spinach recipe makes the leafy green simply scrumptious — even picky eaters love it — and it goes great with grilled steaks.

Corn Bread Crock-Pot Recipe

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Tristan Ferne/flickr

Never made bread in a Crock-Pot? This slow-cooker corn bread recipe is a great place to start. It comes out moist, flavorful, and perfect for sopping up BBQ sauce.

Baked Beans Crock-Pot Recipe

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JeffreyW/flickr

With bourbon and bacon, this Crock-Pot baked beans recipe is simply the best.

Three-Cheese Scallop Potatoes Crock-Pot Recipe

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joshuaresnick/shutterstock

A perfect side to go with your grilled steak or pork, these three-cheese scallop potatoes practically cook themselves in the Crock-Pot. Sprinkle with parsley for a pop of summertime color.

Fried Rice Crock-Pot Recipe

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Nakoya/shutterstock

Serving anything with a teriyaki flair? Whip up a batch of this fried rice to go along with the main dish. Everything but the egg gets tossed into the slow cooker. How easy is that?

Eggplant & Kale Salad Crock-Pot Recipe

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AlenaHaurylik/shutterstock

Looking for some lighter picnic fare? Give this eggplant and kale panzanella salad a try! The eggplant and tomatoes stew for hours in the slow cooker before the kale is added. This is a super-healthy side to serve all through the summer.

Tomato Risotto Crock-Pot Recipe

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svariophoto/shutterstock

Home cooks typically think of risotto as a labor-intensive dish that takes hours of standing in front of the stove. Well, not anymore, thanks to the Crock-Pot. This tomato risotto recipe pairs nicely with steak, shrimp, or a yummy portobello mushroom burger.

Apricot Glazed Carrots Crock-Pot Recipe

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mariakomar/shutterstock

These Crock-Pot apricot glazed carrots are a wonderful addition to any barbecue. Sweet and filled with betacarotene, they pair nicely with turkey burgers and chicken.

Caramelized Onions Crock-Pot Recipe

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DucDao/shutterstock

Who doesn't love caramelized onions on top of their burger or as a savory side accompanying a steak? Just places the onions and butter in the slow cooker and your work is done!

Black-Eyed Peas Crock-Pot Recipe

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rohitseth/shutterstock

A southern meal wouldn't be complete without black-eyed peas. This Crock-Pot recipe calls for greens and ham, adding to the flavor, color, and texture to the side dish. It's really delicious beside a pulled pork sandwich.

Stewed Cinnamon Apples Crock-Pot Recipe

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margouilliat/shutterstock

To keep the side dishes on the healthier side, consider these Crock-Pot stewed cinnamon apples. They're sure to be a huge hit with kids and adults alike.

Green Bean Casserole Crock-Pot Recipe

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Andrea Skjold Mink/shutterstock

It's not just for Thanksgiving any more! Green bean casserole can be made in a Crock-Pot instead of an over, and it's a great side to pair with steak or grilled chicken. The crunchy onion rings on top can take the place of French fries any day!

Pepper Relish Crock-Pot Recipe

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alexskopeje/shutterstock

Sweet pepper relish makes a delicious topping for your grilled meats and sausages. Brown sugar and chili peppers make this Crock-Pot version sweet and spicy!

Pork Chops Crock-Pot Recipe

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iStock.com/SarapulSar38

With simple, fragrant seasoning, these slow-cooker pork chops make for an easy weeknight dinner.

Shredded Beef Tacos Crock-Pot Recipe

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iStock.com/burwellphotography

This recipe for slow-cooker beef chuck roast tacos would be perfect for a party or any quick, go-to meal.

Pecan Sticky Buns Crock-Pot Recipe

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iStock.com/krblokhin

For a weekend brunch out on the patio, these Crock-Pot pecan sticky buns are a total treat.

German Potato Salad Crock-Pot Recipe

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iStock.com/MychkoAlezander

Summer picnics and BBQs wouldn't be the same without potato salad, and this German slow-cooker version knocks the classic side out of the park.

Roasted Veggies Crock-Pot Recipe

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iStock.com/MychkoAlezander

Slow-cooker roasted veggies (think bell peppers and sweet potato) are a colorful, filling, and healthy addition to any meal.

Honey-Garlic Wings Crock-Pot Recipe

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iStock.com/DarioZg

The combo of honey and garlic makes these slow-cooker chicken wings thoroughly flavor-packed.

Coney Island Hot Dogs Crock-Pot Recipe

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Lauri Patterson/iStock

Summer wouldn't be complete without a Coney Island–style hot dog that has everyone feeling like they're near the ocean. And yep, they can be made with a slow cooker!

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