18 Slow Cooker Meals For A Cool Kitchen And A Happy Stomach

Summer is here, and the last thing you want is to heat up your kitchen with a hot stove. That’s where your slow cooker comes in handy. It keeps your kitchen cool and makes meal prep a breeze. These dishes are perfect for lazy summer days, letting you enjoy great meals without much effort. Grab your slow cooker, set it and forget it while you enjoy the best of summer without breaking a sweat.

A bowl of beef stew with vegetables and mashed potatoes. — Summer Beef Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken

BBQ peach pulled chicken over rice with pita bread in a bowl. — Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This BBQ peach pulled chicken is a simple, sweet, and easy meal. The slow cooker does all the work, giving you more time to enjoy summer.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken

Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

Summer beef stew topped with red onion and grated cheese. — Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Enjoy a classic beef stew with a summer veggie mix, all without heating up your kitchen. A hearty meal made easy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Summer Frittata

Slow cooker frittata with arugula and sun-dried tomatoes. — Slow Cooker Summer Frittata. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This frittata, packed with zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and prosciutto, is great for breakfast or dinner. Cooking in the slow cooker keeps things simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Frittata

Carnitas Recipe (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

This Pork Carnitas recipe is tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Perfect for tacos, burritos, tostadas, and quesadillas, making dinner a breeze.
Get the Recipe: Carnitas Recipe (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

These hot honey chicken sandwiches are a crowd-pleaser that takes just 15 minutes of hands-on time. The slow cooker handles the rest, leaving you with perfectly tender chicken and a sweet and spicy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken With Garlic And Sesame

Enjoy magical, effortless cooking with this Honey Soy Chicken recipe. Just toss the ingredients into the slow cooker and let it do its thing.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken With Garlic And Sesame

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken

This Chipotle Chicken is super easy to make and perfect for taco bowls or quesadillas. With just a few minutes of prep, the slow cooker does the rest.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken

Slow Cooker Sausage Balls

These slow cooker sausage balls are perfect for any party or potluck. Quick to prep and always a hit.
Get the Recipe: Gluten-Free Sausage Balls

Slow Cooker Texas Beef Brisket

This Texas Beef Brisket recipe makes juicy beef perfect for sandwiches. Easy prep and great for feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Texas Beef Brisket

Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

Enjoy tender shredded chicken with a spicy kick in these Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwiches. The slow cooker makes it easy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich

Slow Cooker Adobe Shredded Chicken Tacos

This shredded chicken, loaded with Mexican flavors, is perfect for tacos. The slow cooker takes care of everything, making dinner simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Adobe Shredded Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

If you need a quick meal with minimal prep, try these BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches. Your slow cooker ensures you get a tasty dinner even on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

This 2-ingredient BBQ Chicken is super easy to make. The chicken is cooked until tender in a tangy barbecue sauce, perfect for summer parties.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is packed with spices, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Cooked for 10 hours, it’s fall-apart tender and loaded with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pork Loin (Fall-Apart Tender)

This perfectly-tender pork loin is juicy and easy to make. The slow cooker ensures it’s buttery-soft and packed with taste.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin (Fall-Apart Tender)

Slow Cooker Classic Beef Chili

Classic Beef Chili is perfect for the slow cooker. This version includes sausage for maximum flavor, making it a hearty, easy-to-make meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Classic Beef Chili

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Au Jus With Giardiniera (Chicago-Style)

This Italian beef au jus is seasoned to perfection and slow-cooked with minimal prep. Serve it on French rolls with your favorite giardiniera.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Beef Au Jus With Giardiniera (Chicago-Style)

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin With Apples

This Pork Tenderloin with apples and sweet onions is an easy comfort food meal. The slow cooker ensures the meat is tender and the homemade maple gravy is a great finishing touch.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin With Apples

Gina Matsoukas

Founder and Writer at Running to the Kitchen | About

Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.