If you’re looking for ridiculously easy fresh summer slow cooker recipes to keep your kitchen cool this season, you’re in the right place! These are the best crockpot recipes to keep things simple during the warm summer months, and includes recipes organized by chicken, dump-and-go, beef, plus sides & vegetables.
5 star review
“So grateful for this compilation! It is EXACTLY what I was looking for in terms of ingredients and ease – this is going to get us through the summer (and beyond, if I’m honest). Thanks so much. ”
– Tess
Summer Slow Cooker Recipes: Table of Contents
Click below to go directly to the recipes!
Chicken Recipes for Summer
Easy Crockpot Dump Meals
Slow Cooker Recipes with Beef
Warm Weather Slow Cooker Sides
Summer is Still Slow Cooker Season!
Don’t put away that slow cooker just yet, because I’ve got the best (and easiest!) summer slow cooker meals you’ll find just about anywhere, the key to keeping your kitchen cool in the warm months of the year, and a great way to use fresh, seasonal summer produce as well.
And, as a healthy habits expert, I’m here to say that hands-off fresh and flavorful slow cooker meals are such a great way to stick to healthy habits in the summertime.
These kid-friendly summer crockpot recipes really are perfect for hot nights when you can’t stand to turn on the oven or stove, busy weekends when you’re enjoying time outdoors, and for summer gatherings like cookouts, BBQs & potlucks.
Just like my spring, fall and winter and dump-and-go crock pot recipe collections, all of these recipes have easy to find ingredients and simplified prep steps. I hope you enjoy!
Chicken Recipes for Summer (in the Slow Cooker!)
5 stars (16 ratings)
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Breast (2-Ingredients!)
This wildly easy 2-ingredient slow cooker BBQ chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
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5 stars (19 ratings)
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Slow cooker Greek chicken combines just 4 ingredients like lemon, garlic and Greek yogurt to create a fresh, delicious high-protein meal you can use in a number of ways. Stuffed in pita piled with veggies or in a bowl with rice or pita, it's a Greek-inspired slow cooker recipe that you will find yourself making week after week!
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, chicken.
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4.94 stars (16 ratings)
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
The easiest, most delicious slow cooker chicken recipe yet! Slow cooker honey garlic chicken requires only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time to produce sweet, savory, and sticky chicken.
Ingredients: soy sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, boneless chicken thighs (or boneless skinless chicken breasts), cornstarch.
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5 stars (11 ratings)
Incredible Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)
Get delicious, fall-off-the-bone meat with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe that just uses 4 ingredients!
Ingredients: smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, chicken drumsticks, BBQ sauce.
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5 stars (14 ratings)
Easy Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken
Easy to make and oh-so satisfying, this crockpot cilantro lime chicken is perfect for stuffing into warm tortillas! It’s elevated by the most flavorful homemade cilantro lime sauce and can be made with either chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), fresh cilantro, lime juice, garlic cloves, cumin, avocado oil, honey (optional) and salt.
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5 stars (10 ratings)
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Friends, these are the best slow cooker chicken tacos ever! I know there are a lot of slow cooker chicken taco recipes out there, but my recipe is simple, uses only 6 ingredients, and tastes incredibly fresh. The ultimate time-saving recipe, it's a dump-and-go recipe you'll turn to week in and week out.
Ingredients: garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, chicken, salsa.
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5 stars (13 ratings)
Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken (5-Ingredients!)
With a short list of simple, real food ingredients this slow cooker green chili chicken is an easy and flavorful meal prep protein. Plus, there are so many ways you can use this chicken, you won’t get bored!
Ingredients: chicken, tomatillo salsa, salt, cream cheese, diced green chilis
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5 stars (13 ratings)
Slow Cooker Satay Chicken
Slow cooker satay chicken is a flavorful, versatile, and simple recipe that the whole family will love!
Ingredients: chicken, salt, peanut butter, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce.
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5 stars (14 ratings)
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes and Basil
This healthy slow cooker balsamic chicken with tomatoes and basil is a fresh, easy meal that draws on the flavors of bruschetta for a simple, flavorful meal everyone will love. It’s one of those recipes that we find ourselves making on repeat week after week!
Ingredients: chicken, roma or cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt.
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4.94 stars (43 ratings)
Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken
Naturally sweet, tangy and oh-so delicious, Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken is a breeze to throw together and makes for a healthy dinner everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, gluten-free tamari, honey, grated ginger, canned crushed pineapple, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
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5 stars (69 ratings)
6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken
This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
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4.98 stars (49 ratings)
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil combines juicy peaches, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil for an easy, flavorful dinner anytime. Easy enough to throw together on a weeknight, this one’s bound to become a new family-favorite recipe!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, balsamic vinegar, peaches, basil, garlic powder and salt.
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5 stars (28 ratings)
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken
The perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients: chicken, onion, bell pepper, salsa, lime juice and salt
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5 stars (15 ratings)
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies
A versatile, filling, one-pot meal, slow cooker ranch chicken and veggies is made with a simple homemade ranch seasoning blend, chicken, carrots, and potatoes; making for an easy dinner recipe everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts, chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, yogurt (traditional or plant-based), mayo, apple cider vinegar, homemade ranch seasoning.
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Dump Slow Cooker Recipes for Summer
4.96 stars (25 ratings)
Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Wildly easy to prepare with crowd-pleasing results, Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers requires no browning and makes a simple weeknight dinner. It’s a party go-to, that’s guaranteed to please!
Ingredients: sweet Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and jarred marinara sauce.
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4.92 stars (12 ratings)
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup
Brimming with sweet corn, succulent chicken, and hearty potatoes, this easy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a simple dump-and-go recipe. Since you can use fresh or frozen corn, this soup is perfect for any time of year!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), sweet corn (fresh or frozen), chicken stock, celery, carrots, onions, yellow waxy potatoes, garlic, cream cheese (traditional or plant-based) and salt.
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5 stars (2 ratings)
Easy Chicken Vegetable Soup
This easy chicken vegetable soup recipe is simple to make with easy to find ingredients, yet tastes like it’s from your favorite restaurant. Includes stovetop and slow cooker instructions, too!
Ingredients: chicken tenders, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, Russet potatoes, garlic powder, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, green beans, corn, peas, bay leaf, olive oil and salt.
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5 stars (12 ratings)
Juicy Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs in Marinara (No Egg)
Full of fresh herbs like basil, and slow simmered in a simple marinara sauce, this slow cooker turkey meatball recipe is packed with protein, and made without breadcrumbs or eggs. Plus, there's no pre-browning required, so it's super easy to prep and the meatballs come out juicy and will truly melt-in-your-mouth.
Ingredients: ground turkey, marinara sauce, basil, spinach, onion, garlic powder, nutritional yeast and salt.
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5 stars (4 ratings)
Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Tender, juicy, and super delicious, buffalo turkey meatballs are a healthy appetizer or main dish, made with no breadcrumbs, and easy to prepare in the crockpot or in the oven.
Ingredients: ground turkey, grated onion, almond flour (or oat flour), nutritional yeast, granulated garlic powder, cayenne pepper sauce, butter (traditional or dairy-free) and salt
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5 stars (35 ratings)
Slow Cooker Creamy Corn Chowder (No Dairy!)
This easy slow cooker corn chowder is a breeze to prep, and is a veggie-packed vegetarian and vegan recipe that’s luxuriously creamy without a drop of dairy. A surprisingly simple yet deliciously vibrant dairy free meal that can be made with fresh or frozen corn!
Ingredients: russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, broth, coconut milk, onion, garlic, white wine vinegar and other spices
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4.84 stars (6 ratings)
Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs
Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs are a quick 30 minute or easy make-ahead crockpot dinner with ground chicken, crushed pineapple, and a homemade naturally sweetened teriyaki sauce. Includes simple swaps to easily make this recipe nut-free!
Ingredients: ground chicken (or pork or turkey), green onion, garlic, ginger, coconut aminos, crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, honey, arrowroot powder (or corn starch), almond flour (or oat flour) and water.
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5 stars (6 ratings)
Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew
This simple recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew is healthy, hearty and so delicious!
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), stock, quinoa, zucchini, corn, garlic, onion, carrots, chickpeas, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and other spices
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4.96 stars (61 ratings)
Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder (Crockpot, Instant Pot, Stovetop!)
Light, healthy, and bursting with flavor this Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder makes for an easy weeknight dinner or for anytime. Can easily be made in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), baby potatoes, celery, cauliflower, onion, chicken stock, coconut milk (or cream), lemon juice, turmeric and other seasonings
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4.91 stars (10 ratings)
Crockpot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup
Simple to make and bursting with fresh summer flavors, Crockpot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup is perfect any time of year. A great recipe for all your farmer’s market finds, and paleo and Whole30 friendly, too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), chicken stock, zucchini, tomato sauce, leafy greens, onion, chili powder, cumin and other seasonings
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5 stars (7 ratings)
Slow Cooker Carnitas
This slow cooker carnitas recipe is super easy to prepare and yields wildly delicious, succulent results everytime. Serve the carnitas warm as a filling for tacos, burritos or in bowls for an easy weeknight dinner win!
Ingredients: pork loin roast (or pork shoulder), orange juice, lime juice, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
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4.88 stars (8 ratings)
Slow Cooker Citrus Chicken (Pollo Asado)
Slow Cooker Citrus Chicken (Pollo Asado) yields bright citrus flavors and tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone chicken. A super easy recipe with delicious results!
Ingredients: bone-in chicken thighs and legs, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, onion, honey (optional) and salt.
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Beef Recipes For Summer in the Crockpot
5 stars (15 ratings)
Crock Pot Taco Meat (No Pre-Browning!)
Crock pot taco meat is an easy dump-and-go recipe made with just a few simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights or for feeding a party crowd.
Ingredients: ground beef, salsa, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, mild chili powder, and salt.
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4.93 stars (42 ratings)
Slow Cooker Flank Steak
This ultra tender slow cooker flank steak recipe could not be easier to make, and yields the most delicious, tender flank steak for tacos, sandwiches and more!
Ingredients: flank steak, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, olive oil and salt.
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5 stars (10 ratings)
Mexican-Inspired Shredded Beef
Perfectly spiced and incredibly easy to prepare, Mexican-Inspired Shredded Beef is super versatile and makes the best shredded beef tacos!
Ingredients: boneless beef chuck-eye roast, onion, tomato paste, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika, lime juice and salt.
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5 stars (3 ratings)
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Slow Cooker Meatballs (no Pre-Browning!)
These tender, juicy, melt-in-your mouth slow cooker meatballscould notbe simpler to make! Requiring no pre-cooking or pre-browning, these protein-packed beef meatballs simmer low and slow in a simple Italian marinara sauce for the ultimate meatball dinner.
Ingredients: ground beef, parmesan, onion, garlic, Italian breadcrumbs (gluten free or traditional), egg, salt, marinara sauce.
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5 stars (2 ratings)
Easiest Crockpot Taco Dip
This ultra-easy crockpot taco dip recipe is made with a short list of pantry ingredients, and will be the hit of any party or gathering.
Ingredients: lean ground beef, diced tomatoes with green chilis, cream cheese (traditional or dairy-free), shredded Mexican cheese blend (traditional or dairy-free), chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, lime juice, hot sauce and salt.
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Summer Sides & Veggies
5 stars (1 rating)
Sweet Summer Crock Pot Corn on the Cob
Friends, crock pot corn on the cob is the easiest way to prepare sweet, buttery, and tender corn on the cob all year round, and is especially perfect for warm summer months when you want to keep the kitchen cool and feed a crowd. And, other than cleaning the corn, this recipe is completely hands off, leaving you more time to prepare a main dish or spend time with your friends and family!
Ingredients: corn, olive oil, salt, butter.
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5 stars (5 ratings)
Slow Cooker Ratatouille (with Fresh Summer Veggies!)
Slow cooker ratatouille is a French stew filled with seasonal, bright, and fresh vegetables cooked together low and slow in a rich garlicky tomato sauce.
Ingredients: eggplant, salt, olive oil, red onion, tomato paste, garlic, white wine, bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, tomato, Italian seasoning, black pepper.
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5 stars (6 ratings)
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
These homemade slow cooker baked beans are exactly what you're looking for in a simple yet delicious side. Bursting with sweet & savory flavors, they'll feed a crowd and keep them coming back for seconds. And, thanks to the crock pot, these beans can be made ahead and kept wam, making it the perfect easy recipe for a BBQ, cookout, or potluck side!
Ingredients: bacon, red onion, garlic, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, pinto beans, kidney beans, Northern or white beans, salt, apple cider vinegar, BBQ sauce, ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar.
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5 stars (1 rating)
Slow Cooker Green Beans (with Bacon!)
Silky, savory, and packed with flavor, these super easy slow cooker green beans are a simple side dish that are perfect for weeknight dinners or festive holiday spreads. Slow cooked to tender perfection, they include tons of flavor from sweet onions and smokey bacon. Plus, mostly hands-off cooking time means you can free up the oven (and your time) for more important things!
Key ingredients: Green beans, bacon, chicken stock, garlic, smoked paprika, butter.
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5 stars (15 ratings)
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots
Elevate everyday carrots with slow cooker carrots, an incredibly easy recipe that’s packed with flavor! Makes an elegantly simple side for every day dinners, brunch, and special holiday spreads.
Ingredients: carrots, butter, lemon zest, maple syrup and salt.
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5 stars (3 ratings)
Slow Cooker Collard Greens
This easy slow cooker collard greens recipe combines humble collard greens with simple spices for a lusciously tender and delicious side dish you’ll want to make on repeat.
Key ingredients: collard greens, chicken stock, ham hock, apple cider vinegar.
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4.98 stars (36 ratings)
Slow Cooker Potatoes
These slow cooker potatoes are the definition of simple and delicious. All you need are a handful of pantry ingredients and a crockpot. Easy prep for weeknight dinners, but this classic, cozy recipe makes a great addition to the holiday table too!
Ingredients: small potatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and salt.
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5 stars (2 ratings)
Easy Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Yes, you can make perfect baked potatoes in the slow cooker! The easiest hands-off way to feed a crowd, create an effortless baked potato bar, or an easy side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, olive oil and salt.
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5 stars (8 ratings)
Slow Cooker Barbecue Chickpeas
This recipe for slow cooker barbecue chickpeas tastes as good as classic meat barbecue! It combines traditional flavors of a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce and meaty chickpeas in the slow cooker for a plant-based twist on barbecue.
Ingredients: chickpeas, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, tomato paste,maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar,apple cider vinegar, andwater.
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5 stars (15 ratings)
Slow Cooker Summer Peach Chicken & Basil, plus More Easy Summer Slow Cooker Recipes
Servings: 6
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 6 hours hrs
Total: 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
This Summer Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil is super simple to make & tastes amazing! I love how quickly this sweet & savory dish comes together. Plus more fresh & easy summer slow cooker recipes that'll save you from having to turn the oven on during the warmer months!
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, or thighs
- 1 medium yellow onion, very thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 medium peaches sliced (peeled or unpeeled), sliced
To Add at the End
- ¼ cup tightly packed basil leaves, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Hot sauce for serving, optional
Equipment
Instructions
Place the sliced onions in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and 2 tablespoons vinegar. Stir in peach slices from 4 peaches. Set aside the remaining two peaches and basil to add at the end.
Sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt, then nestle into the peach-onion mixture, making sure they're covered with some of the peach-onion mixture.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-5 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
To Add at the End
When ready to serve, turn off the heat, and remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, butter, and remaining 2 sliced peaches, stirring to combine.
Shred the chicken with two forks or dice, then return to the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
Serve sprinkled with the fresh basil and hot sauce to taste over rice or with crusty bread to soak up the extra juices.
Author: Robyn Conley Downs
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 222kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 651mg, Potassium: 604mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 166IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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