The slow cooker is summer’s best-kept secret. It keeps the oven off and the kitchen cool, and dinner is ready when you come in from the pool. These 6 summer crockpot recipes are built for warm-weather eating: sandwiches, tacos, BBQ and fruit desserts.
Why Use a Crockpot in Summer?
- It keeps your house cool. A slow cooker releases far less heat into the kitchen than an oven running at 400°F.
- It’s great for a crowd. BBQ, pulled meats and beans scale up easily for cookouts.
- It’s portable. Plug it in at the potluck and switch to WARM.
6 Summer Crockpot Recipes
1. BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
You need: 2 1/2 lb (1.1 kg) boneless chicken thighs, 1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika.
Cook: LOW 5 to 6 hours. Shred, then pile onto buns with coleslaw.
2. Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
You need: 2 lb (900 g) chicken breasts, 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks with juice, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 diced red bell pepper.
Cook: LOW 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Serve over coconut rice.
3. Shredded Beef Tacos for Taco Night
You need: 3 lb (1.4 kg) beef chuck roast in large chunks, 2 chipotle peppers in adobo plus 2 tbsp of the sauce, juice of 2 limes, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp cumin, 2 tsp oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup beef broth.
Cook: LOW 8 to 9 hours. Shred in the juices and top with pickled onions, cilantro and cotija.
4. Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob
You need: 4 to 6 ears of corn (husked and halved to fit), 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp butter, salt.
Cook: HIGH 2 hours or LOW 3 to 4 hours. It frees a burner for the grill.
5. Honey BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
You need: 3 lb (1.4 kg) chicken drumsticks, 2 tbsp dry BBQ rub, 1 cup BBQ sauce mixed with 2 tbsp honey.
Cook: Rub the drumsticks and layer them in the crock. LOW 5 to 6 hours, until they reach at least 175°F (80°C). Brush with sauce and broil or grill 3 to 5 minutes to caramelize.
6. Peach Cobbler Dump Cake
You need: 2 cans (15 oz) sliced peaches with juice, 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix, 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter cut in thin slices, 1 tsp cinnamon.
Cook: Peaches in the bottom, cake mix sprinkled evenly on top, butter slices over everything. HIGH 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Lay a paper towel under the lid to catch condensation. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Summer Slow Cooker Tips
- Cook on the patio or in the garage to keep all the heat out of the house.
- Keep food out of the danger zone. At cookouts, hold hot food at 140°F or above on WARM, and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F.
- Serve family-style. A set of ceramic serving bowls makes it easy to set out sides, and the wooden cutting board with handle doubles as a carving board for the shredded beef.
Heading into fall? Our holiday and seasonal crockpot recipes cover Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Summer Crockpot Recipes FAQ
Does a slow cooker heat up the house?
Very little compared with an oven. It runs at around 200 to 300°F inside a closed crock, which is why it’s a favorite in hot weather.
Can I leave a crockpot on while I’m out?
Most modern slow cookers are designed to run unattended. Set it on a heat-safe counter away from walls, and choose a model with an automatic switch to WARM.
What can I make in a crockpot for a cookout?
Pulled chicken or shredded beef, baked beans, corn on the cob, meatballs and dips all hold well on WARM for a crowd.
More no-fuss ideas: dump and go crockpot meals.
