31 Slow Cooker Meals to Get You Through Summer Without the Stove

Cooking in the summer shouldn’t feel like a punishment. The slow cooker keeps the kitchen cool and dinner on track without much effort. These meals cover everything from pulled pork and tacos to lighter dishes that still hold up in the heat. You can start them in the morning and forget about them until it’s time to eat. No stove, no oven, no sweating through dinner prep.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This chicken cooks in a sticky honey garlic sauce with pineapple that balances sweet and savory in every bite. The slow cooker gives it time to build flavor while you do anything else. Serve it with rice for a dinner that feels like takeout without turning on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Chocolate Cherry Steel Cut Oatmeal

This oatmeal cooks overnight so breakfast is ready as soon as you are. The cherries and chocolate give it a rich flavor, and the steel cut oats hold up well without turning mushy. It’s a solid breakfast when summer mornings are busy and the stovetop just feels like too much.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Steel Cut Oatmeal

Pickled Pineapple BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

This pulled pork has a little extra edge from tangy pickled pineapple layered on top. The slow cooker takes care of the meat while you prep the toppings. It’s a bold and refreshing take on a summer sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Pineapple BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Pulled Pork Sliders

These sliders bring together saucy pork, soft buns, and crisp slaw in every bite. The meat cooks down in the slow cooker and holds up perfectly for parties, leftovers, or casual weeknight dinners. No oven and no stress.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sliders

Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

This beef gets slow cooked with spices until it’s tender enough to shred and pile into bowls. Add rice, beans, and peppers to round things out. It’s a solid summer meal prep recipe that works for lunches and dinners without repeat fatigue.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken

This pulled chicken cooks in a BBQ-peach sauce that works surprisingly well for summer. The sweetness balances the richness and makes it great for sandwiches or loaded into lettuce wraps. It’s easy to scale up for feeding a group.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Pulled Chicken

Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

This version keeps the slow-cooked comfort but uses lighter summer vegetables so it doesn’t feel too heavy. It’s a smart way to work in fresh produce without turning on the stove. Let it cook while you get on with your day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Summer Frittata

This frittata uses summer vegetables and prosciutto and cooks hands-off in the slow cooker. It’s great for breakfast, lunch, or a no-heat dinner served with a quick salad. Leftovers store well and don’t lose their texture.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Frittata

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Pork cooks until it falls apart, soaking up a rich balsamic glaze that pairs well with polenta or potatoes. The slow cooker keeps the pork juicy and full of flavor, making it a great summer dinner when you want something hearty without turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Balsamic Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Tri Tip

This tri tip stays juicy thanks to a slow cook with herbs and a simple seasoning blend. It slices easily and makes a great centerpiece for sandwiches, bowls, or quick plated dinners. It’s a good way to cook a bigger cut of meat without heating up the house.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tri Tip

Creamy Millet Porridge

Millet cooks into a creamy porridge with cinnamon and vanilla while you sleep. Top it with fresh fruit or nuts in the morning for a breakfast that feels like effort even though the slow cooker did all the work. It’s a good break from oatmeal and a solid start to the day.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Millet Porridge

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

Chicken thighs cook in a sweet pineapple sauce that holds up well without any extra effort from you. The slow cooker does all the work while you stay out of the kitchen heat. This is a great summer dinner when you want something filling that still feels light and fresh.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken

Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken

Chicken simmers in enchilada sauce until it’s tender enough to shred with a fork. You can pile it onto rice, stuff it into tortillas, or layer it into a salad. It’s the kind of low-effort dinner that works on repeat during a hot week.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs

These meatballs are coated in a tangy sauce with pineapple that cooks down into something rich and balanced. They’re great with rice or skewered with vegetables for an easy summer dinner. They reheat well and don’t need anything fussy on the side.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Hawaiian Meatballs

Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Orange chicken in the slow cooker skips the fryer but still gives you that sticky glaze everyone likes. The sauce thickens as it cooks and soaks into the chicken without you doing much at all. This is a solid pick for a takeout-style dinner that doesn’t involve turning on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

You only need three ingredients for this one, and it still turns out full of flavor. The salsa and seasoning keep the chicken juicy, and it works in tacos, rice bowls, or even over greens. It’s one of the easiest ways to get dinner done in summer without extra heat in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Chicken, peppers, and onions cook together until everything is tender and ready to be wrapped up in tortillas. The slow cooker handles the work while you keep cool, and there’s no need to stand over a skillet. It’s perfect for summer dinners when you want something quick, familiar, and filling.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This version keeps all the flavor of the original but cuts out the hands-on cooking. The sauce thickens while the chicken turns tender and soaks up the spices. It’s an easy way to work in something different for dinner without heating up the house.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Country Ribs

Pork ribs cook low and slow in a sticky honey BBQ sauce that clings to every bite. There’s no grill needed and no oven required. These ribs come out tender and full of flavor, making them a solid option for a summer dinner when you want the feel of barbecue without the effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Country Ribs

Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta

Chicken, sausage, shrimp, and pasta cook together with bold seasoning that gives the dish its depth. Everything comes together in one pot with minimal prep. It’s hearty enough for dinner but light enough to fit into a summer lineup.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Jambalaya Pasta

Slow Cooker Copycat Chipotle Carnitas

This shredded pork recipe brings that slow-cooked texture and deep flavor without the cost of takeout. It’s great for tacos, bowls, or meal prep and tastes just as good cold or reheated. The slow cooker does the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Copycat Chipotle Carnitas

Slow Cooker Texas Beef Brisket

Brisket cooks low and steady in its own juices until it slices like butter. This is a great way to get barbecue-style meat without heating up your kitchen or standing outside in the sun. Pile it onto sandwiches or serve it straight with some quick summer sides.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Texas Beef Brisket

Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket

This version sticks to a sweet BBQ sauce and comes together with just five ingredients. It’s tender, bold, and perfect for feeding a group without spending all day cooking. Let the slow cooker handle dinner while you enjoy the rest of the day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Beef Brisket

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

This chili brings a little heat without making you sweat in the kitchen. It has all the buffalo flavor you expect but in chili form, and it’s packed with chicken and beans. Great for summer nights when you still want something comforting but not too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili

Crock Pot Babyback Ribs

These ribs stay juicy and pull apart easily after a long cook in teriyaki sauce. There’s no grill involved, just simple ingredients and a slow cooker doing its job. They’re great for cookout-style dinners without any actual grilling.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Babyback Ribs

Crockpot Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese

Mac and cheese in the slow cooker makes for a low-effort dinner or side that everyone likes. The Velveeta keeps it creamy even after a few hours, and there’s no need to boil anything first. It’s the kind of set-it-and-walk-away dish that works well on busy summer days.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese

Chuck Roast Slow Cooker Tacos

This chuck roast cooks low and slow until it falls apart into juicy, flavorful shreds. Serve it in tortillas with anything from pickled onions to diced mango. It’s a great way to pull off taco night without firing up the stove or grill.
Get the Recipe: Chuck Roast Slow Cooker Tacos

BBQ Pulled Pork Baked Potato With Slaw

This meal brings together crispy-skinned baked potatoes, saucy pulled pork, and crunchy slaw in one no-stove-required combo. Everything comes together in the slow cooker except the quick slaw. It’s a full dinner that feels like summer comfort food without the heavy prep.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork Baked Potato With Slaw

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Mississippi chicken cooks down with simple ingredients into something bold, tender, and full of flavor. Serve it over mashed potatoes or pile it onto sandwich rolls. It’s a smart summer dinner that keeps the oven off and still feeds a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

These sloppy joes use the slow cooker to build flavor without babysitting a skillet. The sauce thickens just enough and the meat stays juicy. It’s an easy win when you want comfort food without heating up the whole kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

Slow Cooker Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauce

This deconstructed enchilada recipe skips the oven and still hits every flavor note. The chicken simmers in red sauce and gets layered with beans, cheese, and corn tortillas. It’s hearty, easy to portion, and great for leftovers too.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas with Red Sauce